I have 2011 Countryman S with factory 18" wheels and run flat tires. Is it possible to switch to 17" wheels and non run flat tires that are not OEM Mini wheels? I really want a quieter and smoother ride but I want to make sure it is safe to do the above. thanks

 

Yes you can do this but you will need a wheel that accepts TPMS sensors. You might be able to swap them from your OEM wheels to the new one depending on the wheel. Call Alex at Tirerack he can help.

 

thank you for the advice

 

Np Good luck and welcome aboard. How about some pics of your MINI. Remember to wave.

 

You will see a great improvement (even using run-flats). The car comes stock with 17" and I think they are the best size for it.

 

mini really missed on the tire pressures for the 18" rf tires

before you ditch them, try using 42psi front / 37 psi rear

i arrived at these pressures using a tire pyrometer, like racers do to set tire pressures

it has made a huge difference in ride, noise and handling

the tires are wearing evenly, both across each tire and front to rear

as to 17" being better than 18", my dad has a cms all4 also, his has 17" and mine with the 18" will run rings around his

scott

 

Please elaborate. He wants comfort and a smooth quiet ride.

 

after adjusting the tire pressures upwards, the 18" tires and wheels ride almost the same as the 17"s do, but handling is much better

my sonoma p/u truck ride is much harsher than my cms all4 with sport suspension and 18" wheels

at the stock air pressure, the tire pyrometer showed that the edges of the tread were getting hot while the center was staying near ambient temperature

the harsh ride was a result of underinflation causing the tires to be riding on the sidewalls, not thye full tread

scott

 

May be a bit off topic, but generally speaking, how does one go about identifying the ideal pressure for their wheel/tire setup? I can't imagine that the recommended pressure on the door will work for all varieties of tires and wheels. My 245/40/19, for example, will surely require something different than the OEM 225/45/18. Right?

Also, recommendations for tire pressure gauges?

 

I would add that this only seems to work for the tires that Scott has. Both our 2012 and 2013 came with the Bridgestone run flats. Scott has different tires, and perhaps the design or construction of the tires is different?

I do not own a pyrometer, but I tried the pressures that Scott suggested on both cars. In both cases the ride became substantially harsher, and I immediately returned to the factory pressures. Both cars have standard suspensions.

 

sorry it did not work with the b-stones

i have always tried to qualify that i had the pirelli p7 summers

my dad's all4 has 205/55R17 pirelli p7 all-seasons and using the pyrometer on his car ended up at 38 frt / 34 rear with similar results of improved ride and improved handling

i'll be starting this process again this summer with the michelin 225/50R18 pilot super sports that will be replacing the pirellis

scott

 

Scott, please let us know what pressures you come up with with the super sports. When our run flats are worn out, we are planning to replace them with the super sports in the same size that you are. Thanks.

 

i surely will

scott

 

What 18's do you have? I'll trade you for some 17's.