Was looking for steelies with winter tires and found these Michelin X-ICE 185/60R/14 on 14" rims. I have standard 05 MINI with 15" rims, will these smaller sized rims and tires work or should I keep looking?

 

I doubt it...alloy 15's barely clear the brakes on my 05 S....I use them in the winter, and I think the S and the just-a-Cooper brakes are the same.

 

The short answer is no.

The 15" wheels will just barely clear the brake calipers for an R50/R53 MINI.

You should consider 15 or 16 inch wheels.

 

As you've been told it's a no-go....

I tried one of my 14" Miata wheels on my MINI. Hits the calipers, both front & rear.

I'm running 15" alloy wheels from a Cooper with snow tires.

 

I can confirm that no 14" wheels will fit the MINI due to the standard front brake caliper being the problem.

15" stock is the smallest wheel. Tirerack.com is a good source for alloy or steel wheels. Talk to Alex@tirerack.com extention 294 for more info.