On our family trip this year we drove to Dallas from Chicago. Well, somewhere in Missouri we hit a pothole at about 80-85. We bounced around a little, and the Mini really handled the hit very well. We were able to finish our trip driving on this wheel.


I do feel better knowing the Mini can handle a good bump!
M

 

Did you check your control arms and struts too just in case they are not

damaged? What I usually do when I hit a large bump is get a tape ruler
and measure the distance from the front wheel center cap to the rear
wheel center cap on both sides to make sure they are same lengths.

I also do a rough check on the toe using the tape ruler and make sure
both sides are even.

 

I got one last week. Tire holds no air and I now have my snows and steels on until I find a used S-Lite+Dunlop.

 

KenChan,

I was wondering how sweet your supremely light SSR wheels with the 50 series handle the pot holes? When considering durability is the extra dough paid worth the price vs getting Rotas,Kosei,5zigen? Just curios, I can't wait till my goodyears run thin to switch to something a bit more sporty wheel and tire.

tanks,

ugly

 

I hit a pretty big sharp bump a couple of times, but no bends or anything.
It helps to have more profile (like 50) so I don't foresee any problems.
Also, keep your tires inflated properly too.

But ofcourse, if you hit a 6inch deep pot hole, most wheels will bend. I
suggest you research the roads you want to take before you go
flying through the streets on your cooper. Know where the bumps are,
which lanes are smoother, etc. :smile:

Also, have enough budget to buy 5 wheel/tires when you are ready to
buy your set of 4. I keep a spare in my basement.

 

You should also have the wheel bearings inspected. If the races have been scored or damaged in any other way; also the roller elements can get deformed through impacts like what would cause the damage I see in the pics.

 

That rim looked horrible.
Maybe some other damage to the suspension and may have knocked your alignment out of wack. watch for uneven tire wear regularly.

Potholes are the enemy. taken at low speeds they are not too bad but at high speed they may spell disaster.

I have Centerline RPM 17x7 rims that weigh about 13.5 pounds each and Yokohama ES100 tires and never have problems but I dodge the potholes as much as I can.

Runflat tires are very very harsh on rims due to the stiff sidewall they transmit force so your stock rims take a beating.

Be careful and watch out when it rains that puddle may really be a pothole from hell. Then no strong wheel will be able to take that punishment.