I tried searching, but I'm not really good when it comes to conversions for wheel sizing. What are some combos we can run on the R53 running JCW suspensions for 18" wheels? (example: 18x7 et 35) etc.

I ask because I want to get a new set of wheels for the GP. Damaging the original GP wheels can get expensive very quickly...

 

The OEM 18in tire on the R53 GP is a 205/40-R18.
You can certainly increase to a 215/45-R18, or widen the patch even with a 225/35-R18.

- Erik

 

there are a few people out there running 18x9.5 et44... Lol there are alot of possibilities. I thought of running an 18x9 myself but the offset was like 30 minus the adapters

 

I am currently using 18 x 7" wheels with 37mm offset. My tires are 215/40-18. I had rubbing on the rear wheel arches when the suspension was loaded. I had to trim the wheel arch and wheel well liner to eliminate the rubbing.

Another popular wheel size is 18 x 7.5. You can use 215 or 225 tires. You will need a little more offset with the wider wheel or tire.

 

Who is running 18x9.5 et44? To my knowledge the highest you can go before contacting the trailing arm is et35.

 

CCW Classics: 18x8 +32
Falken 452: 215/35/18

 

R56 can run wider without rubbing... Asking for a R53 GP

 

Depends on the trailing arms but as long as yours are aluminum (which I'm pretty sure the GP's are) its all pretty much the same.

There is an r53 that runs 17x9.75 et25 right now. Widest R56 I'm aware of runs 18x9.5 et30

 

I don't have a GP just a R53 with stock springs and 18x7.5 with 225/45 and I had very little rear rubbing. When I purchased the car it had 205/40 and would beat the hell out of you. Also need to look at the speedo diff between the sizes if that matters to you.

 

I see you are from Boston.

What are you using your MINI GP for? Street driving or any track or driving school?

Do you do daily driving or do you drive year round or only three seasons? Do you have separate snow tires for winter use?

Although there are many options for alternate GP wheels in 18" sizes you need to look at what you want to use them for to optimize your choices.

Wider wheels and tires might look more aggressive but they tend to cost more, weigh more, and drag in the snow more. Tire selection in wider sizes may not be as good- it depends.

Being in Boston the roads in your area may not be as good, are there many potholes and rough spots? If so then using lower profile tires would be tiresome and very rough riding not to mention very risky for damage to the tire, wheel and suspension.

18x7 is stock and up to about 18x8 would be fine for street use.

If you are looking for a three season Max Summer tire that can keep up with your GP and good for street use and occassional track or Driving school then a good choice would be-

Michelin Pilot Super Sport
205/40-18 $183 each 300 treadwear, 20 lbs each
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=yes&tab=Specs

The advantage of this tire is that it will fit rims 7-8" wide perfectly and is light weight, comfortable yet gives great handling in dry or wet.

Max tire test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=148
All of these are good choices but not for cold weather or snow.

For the GP stock wheels are 18x7 +52mm offset vs Cooper S stock wheels are 17x7 with +48mm offset, resulting in 6.1" and 5.9" Back space respectively.

Using this for comparison-
18x7.5" with +40-48mm offset should be fine
18x8" with +36 to 42mm offset is fine
18x8.5" with +30 to 36mm offset is fine

As the offset number is smaller i.e. 30mm then the wheel and tire stick out wider from the wheel well- make sure you have enough clearance. Wheel spacers can also move the wheel outward a bit for clearance from the rear trailing arm or other suspension parts.

If one is extreme and is using a 8x9.5" et 44 wheel I would think they are using spacers from 5 to 12mm for clearance however the more the spacer the more the wheel sticks out from the MINI- almost to the point of needing wider fender wheel arch flares. Estimate 1-1.3" sticking out wide.

 

minihune You are the man. Exactly the person I wanted to respond to this thread

To answer some of your questions. I drive all year round in all seasons with the MINI. I have a separate set of tires for the winter season, a set of thinner 17" snow tires, although I'm considering switching to 16" for even thinner and better handling tires, that's another thread.

On my previous R53, I had 17x7 wheels, 18lbs each with Dunlop Direzza Star Specs. The goal was to auto-cross in the summer with them as well as using them for daily driving. I never got a chance to autox with them but boy did they spoil me in terms of grip. It made a night and day different merging and exiting highways on the bends. And the response time was so fast and quick. I found the tire noise to but a minimal distraction because of my exhaust and music. The wear on them was also a bit quick, but something I don't really mind.

Now for my GP. I intend to get another set of 18s for the GP. The stock wheels are terribly expensive and I don't want the risk of damaging these wheels. As a matter of fact, the clear coat is already starting to come off in certain spots, and I'm looking to get them refinished. The GP came with Hankook V12 Evos. I read multiple threads in NAM and other car forums to compare these tires to the Star Specs. It appeared that most people would claim the Evos to be great tires for grip and would do great and the Star Specs wouldn't be needed.

After some driving for myself, it appears they are dead wrong. These tires are ok when they warm up, but the grip of them is not good. At least to me they aren't since I've been spoiled with Star Specs.

So now the goal is to refinish the stock 18s and keep the Hankooks on them. And use these wheels for MINI shows, get togethers and etc.

I like the look of 18s on the GP so I wanted another set of 18s and wanted something a bit wider than 18x7 so that I can fit the smallest sized 18" Star Specs which happen to be 225/40/18. The other option is the Potenza RE-11s which the smallest size is 215/45/18. But the size difference appears to be minimal while the cost is about $80 more per tire at a grand total of $320 for all four corners and that's where my issue is.

Of course I can run 17" summer wheels on my GP as well... IF I can't find a solution I am happy with for 18s.

 

Your tire sizes options are limited as you go wider on the wheels-

215/45-18 fits rims 7-8" wide, 25.6" tire diameter
225/40-18 fits rims 7.5-9" wide, 25.1" tire diameter

Neither of these tire sizes are ideal for the GP due to the taller than stock tire diameters. Stock tire diameter is about 24.4" so anything 25" or taller decreases wheel gap and clearance. While some owners report a tire of 25" tire diameter as still sort of working it can rub and the wider a tire is the more likely the rubbing.

It seems you have winter tires ready so a good set of summer wheels and tires is a good option.

I still think the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a great option for you.

205/40-18 fits 7-8" wide rims, 24.5" tire diameter $182 each, 20 lbs
215/40-18 fits 7-8.5" wide rims, 24.8" tire diameter $282 each 20 lbs

I prefer the Direzza Star Specs to the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo.

Some tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=148
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=149

 

I took a look at the survey results on Tire Rack and I'm impressed with the Micheline Pilot Super Sport tires. The ratings for Dry use is actually better than the Star Specs and RE11s. Now I guess I'm confused as to the difference between Max performance vs Extreme performance.

 

The tire survey results are from owners rating the tires- not always without bias.

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a newly released tire vs the other two.

In general Extreme Summer tires allow for higher levels of grip in dry or wet with more durability when used for track or driving events. It trades handling and performance for wear and noise/comfort. Prices tend to be a little higher and tire sizes are more aggressive.

Max Summer tires are more of a compromise with a blend of very good handling with better tread wear at a competitive price with good dry or wet performance and more comfort for street use. While they are not meant for track use some can be used for performance driving and do well. As Max tires age the rubber gets harder and becomes more noisy and rough riding. Max tires may be harder to find in some smaller wheel diameters.

If we compare-

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec vs Bridgestone RE-11 vs Michelin Pilot Super Sport then-

You can't compare all of the actual numbers from the two tests since the judges and cars were slightly different and conditions different.

In general for road scores-
The RE11 and Star Spec get very high scores so slight overall edge over the Super Sport. Mostly better handling for Super Sport and better ride and noise comfort to the RE-11.

For wet and dry handling tests-
Super sport is very well rounded in both dry and wet handling.
Slight edge to RE-11 for Wet Cornering Stability and slight edge to Star Spec for handling predictability

Lap times (not sure if the courses were the same)
In general the Extreme Tires had lower lap times with less difference in dry vs wet.

Stopping distance-
Might have been longer in wet for the Max tires due to heavier weight of test cars vs the other test.

Cornering Force-
Impressive results with Super Sport

Reference tests done by tirerack.com with experienced test drivers-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...65&PID=4178173
Vehicles used:
2011 BMW E92 328i Coupe
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=118
Vehicles Used:
2008 BMW E92 328i Coupe

If you plan to do more track and driving events then an Extreme Summer tire makes more sense but won't last for street wear.

Otherwise for most owners using the MINI for street use a Max Summer tire will work and give a good blend of comfort and handling with decent treadwear, the Super Sport is exceptional in how it delivers and sets the bar on Max tires.

 

The August Car & Driver has a good tire comparison test. 1. Michelin Pilot Super Sport and 2. Bridgestone RE-11.