When I bought my Cooper with the Sport package, the heavyweight 16" runflats and 5-spokes came standard. Now that I've got a nail in one of the runflats and the rapists at Goodyear Tire Center want $265 for the tire only (mounting+balance=$35 more!)...I've decided to install a set of OEM 7-hole wheels with the 15" non-runflats that have been stored in the garage for about a year.

I know this sounds stupid, but do I need different lug-nuts or will the lugs that are with the 16" runflats work?

What kind of handling differences will I notice with the 15" non-runflats, compared with the 16" runflats? Will I have to adjust my driving style to the new wheels and tires?

Rock On,

-Joe

 

Your lug nuts should fit just fine

You can expect greater accelleration from the lighter weight wheels and tires.

All around, you can probably expect generally improved performance. Does depend somewhat on the tires you have on the 15's. . . .

 

For now, I'll stick with the OEM 15" Dunlops (I think that's what they are)...they prolly won't last too long. When they wear out, I'll buy a set of much better 15" tires from Tirerack. Any recommendations? -- mostly for general road use, but I do like something somewhat sticky for those fun corners...

 

When I test drove the MC and the MCS, the biggest difference was the poorer handling of the MC. When I bought my first MC, the handling was fine - but it had the upgraded 16" wheels.

So I think you will notice a big difference in handling on corners - the 15" tires will flex much more than the 16" (due to both rubber versus metal and the softer non-runflat rubber).

Look forward to your reporting back when you make the change.


By the way - make sure the stored tires are still in good condition before you fit them! Should be, but depends on how you stored them ...

 

iancull....I was under the impression that 15" non runflats actually handled better than the 16" runflats...guess I'm wrong there. *****...guess I'll have to upgrade to much better "performance" 15-inch non-runflats to get the same great handling I'm used to...

I stored the 15" tires at full pressure (30 PSI) for about one year in a dry, clean, unheated garage, off the floor, stacked on top of one another. They should be fine, yes?

Rock On,

-Joe

 

Shop around; tire prices can be negotiated. The shop you went probably thought you thought you did not have an alturnative to buying there and quoted you their highest price. Also try the Tire Rack. I think the 16" runflats go for about $140, but make sure you factor in shipping, mounting and balancing (Costco?). Also search here.

 

Get 195 non-runflat 15" for your 7 hole rims. Some people have even been able to fit 205 width tires on the factory 15" MINI rims.

You should expect improved acceleration, gas mileage and maybe even handling.

 

here's the rub sport: you will now have to carry a spare, a jack , and lug wrench.so I hope you don't want to carry much else ,or at least don't mind never having a back seat.HOW ABOUT AN AFTERMARKET CONTINENTAL KIT OR AN SUV-TYPE SWING AWAY TIRE RACK??? I have a 2002 mcs that I spec'd out with 195/55/r16 which came with Dunlop 5000's and now with only 30,000 miles they are starting to look fairly tired(pun intended) The options in this size are pretty much limited to exact replacements ,and my ? is: how much different can I go in size (bearing in mind that I still want an all season radial) ?you may be able to tell from my sig pics which wheels I have-they were listed in my original catalogue as the "M" style (10 spoke alloy) I have looked at toyo's site and tire rack and am coming up empty.Any help here from the peanut gallery?pm's welcome. Peace, Jock

 

>>here's the rub sport: you will now have to carry a spare, a jack , and lug wrench.so I hope you don't want to carry much else ,or at least don't mind never having a back seat.HOW ABOUT AN AFTERMARKET CONTINENTAL KIT OR AN SUV-TYPE SWING AWAY TIRE RACK??? I have a 2002 mcs that I spec'd out with 195/55/r16 which came with Dunlop 5000's and now with only 30,000 miles they are starting to look fairly tired(pun intended) The options in this size are pretty much limited to exact replacements ,and my ? is: how much different can I go in size (bearing in mind that I still want an all season radial) ?you may be able to tell from my sig pics which wheels I have-they were listed in my original catalogue as the "M" style (10 spoke alloy) I have looked at toyo's site and tire rack and am coming up empty.Any help here from the peanut gallery?pm's welcome. Peace, Jock


Uh, he said he has a Cooper, it already has a spare, a jack and a lug wrench. Looks like no problem to me.

 

>>Uh, he said he has a Cooper, it already has a spare, a jack and a lug wrench. Looks like no problem to me.
>>
Really??I had no idea that std coopers came with that stuff, My Bad......

 

>>here's the rub sport: you will now have to carry a spare, a jack , and lug wrench.so I hope you don't want to carry much else ,or at least don't mind never having a back seat.HOW ABOUT AN AFTERMARKET CONTINENTAL KIT OR AN SUV-TYPE SWING AWAY TIRE RACK??? I have a 2002 mcs that I spec'd out with 195/55/r16 which came with Dunlop 5000's and now with only 30,000 miles they are starting to look fairly tired(pun intended) The options in this size are pretty much limited to exact replacements ,and my ? is: how much different can I go in size (bearing in mind that I still want an all season radial) ?you may be able to tell from my sig pics which wheels I have-they were listed in my original catalogue as the "M" style (10 spoke alloy) I have looked at toyo's site and tire rack and am coming up empty.Any help here from the peanut gallery?pm's welcome. Peace, Jock

Does a cooper come with a spare even with runflats and a sport suspension?

 

>>Does a cooper come with a spare even with runflats and a sport suspension?


Yes, it does.


-Joe

 

I don't think ALL Coopers come with a spare, at least not the '02s. I had runflats AND a spare and found that it was an oddity. Perhaps it's different now.

 

>>I don't think ALL Coopers come with a spare, at least not the '02s. I had runflats AND a spare and found that it was an oddity. Perhaps it's different now.


I can't swear they all have a spare either, but when I ordered my 03 MC with 16" runflats my MA told me I'd get a spare......so I think most, if not all, Coopers come with a spare, runflats or not. . I think the reason the MCS doesn't have a spare is there is no place under the car to put it, unlike the Cooper.

 

HOW ABOUT AN AFTERMARKET CONTINENTAL KIT OR AN SUV-TYPE SWING AWAY TIRE RACK???

my pathfinder's got that. that would be FFUNNNy.


anyways. when i get a hole in my tire i'll switch over also.

thats my offtopic poop.

 

>>I don't think ALL Coopers come with a spare, at least not the '02s. I had runflats AND a spare and found that it was an oddity. Perhaps it's different now.


You always get a spare tire in the MC regardless of 15" or 16" tire choice. The MC has space for a spare under the car due to the sideway positioning of the single exhaust.

My '02 CVT has a spare and I got the 15" 8-spokes with continental rubber.

I know plenty of '02 Cooper owners with factory 16" runflats and a space saver runflat under the car.

 

DOn't buy tires without emailing Alex at the Tire Rack. They are on the sponsor list for NAM. I bought from him (winter tire package) for the first time in the fall and was astounded at how easy and reasonable it was.

 

I am basing this on when I got my car in June '02. At that point, I had the performance runflats and a spare. I was told by the dealership (and others online) that it was an oddity that a Cooper with runflats got the spare. There was some debate about this in '02, but I am assuming that NOW, it is different. That is all I am saying. There were some Cooper owners saying that they did not get a spare, hence my post.

 

>>I am basing this on when I got my car in June '02. At that point, I had the performance runflats and a spare. I was told by the dealership (and others online) that it was an oddity that a Cooper with runflats got the spare. There was some debate about this in '02, but I am assuming that NOW, it is different. That is all I am saying. There were some Cooper owners saying that they did not get a spare, hence my post.


OK Dan, you still have one of my favorite Coopers, even if you did take my favorite wheels off of it.


Speaking of wheels, have you seen a MINI with the Panasport wheels? I think they look good but I haven't yet seen a picture of them on a MINI.


R.E.
:smile:

 

16x7 Panasports on a MINI ...

< click thumbnail for 800 x 600 resolution image

 

>>16x7 Panasports on a MINI ...
>>
&gt;&gt;<A HREF="http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Wheels2/mini_panasport.jpg" TARGET="_blank">

 

resmini...thanks, I may be going back to white wheels...MAYBE.

I suspect I was recalling posts from European MINI owners regarding the spare being an option across the pond. I did find a thread on MINI2 stating as much. But I suspect for the US, you guys are right.

I think Jerseygirl has Panasports as well....

 

&gt;&gt;I think Jerseygirl has Panasports as well....

YUP