Getting ready to order our '15 ALL4, lease is almost up on our '12 ALL4. Speccing it out just about the same, adding the sport suspension.

The '12 had 17s with all seasons, and with a long Miata history, I always go for the smaller, lighter rim.

But, am I missing anything on the CM by not going to 18s?

Placing the order in the next day or two, your input would be greatly appreciated!

(Also - tried to search, not getting good results...)

Thanks!

 

many more choices of tires in 18 inch size vs 17 inch

i am running 225/50R18 michelin pilot super sports

 

I have both 19s for summer and 17s for winter. 17s will have a better MPG (as they are lighter) and much smoother ride (with more rubber to absord bumps). 19s definately seem to grip the road better and you feel more of the road.

 

Another thing to consider is road surface. The shorter the sidewall the more susceptible the wheels are to damage from pot holes and such. Might be a good idea to have the location of a good wheel repair facility on hand. A search of the forum will confirm these suspicions.

I'm running 17's and have had three bent rims over the past 5 or 6 years.

 

I also ordered a 2015 CM and found out that they are now offering all season tires on the 18s from factory, going with the 18s over the 17s was a no brainer.

 

Really? That is not in the builder...which is why I was going to nix the 18s anyway.

Good thoughts in the bent rims as well. We are in SE PA, roads are not amazing or anything.

Thanks everyone!

 

18" are good , when you go to 19" there are fewer tire options. 19 JCW wheels do look good though.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2011-Cooper_Countryman-R60-S_ALL4-Hatchback-L4_1.6L_N18B16A/Wheels/OEM_Alloys/

 

I have a 2012 CM with 18" factory rims and 17" winter rims. I have 2015 CM on order. This is my experience.
The 18" rims have Michelin NonRunflats all seasons and the winter 17" rims have Michelin Xice snows, non run-flats.
I had factory 18" summer runflats that after 20k miles became very noisy, even though wearing well. When I put on the non run flats 18" they were definately quieter. However not nearly as quiet as my 17" snows. I am still amazed how quiet my Xice tires are. But it has more to do with tire size than style. Larger tires with all things equal means more noise.
The 18" when pushed do handle better on the sharp curves, but you know how well the 17" drive.
The 2015 have more insulation in the rear so I hope they are quieter with any size tire. I test drove one that had 17" tires, it was quiet, but not sure if due to new tires or size.
For my 2015 I orderd 18". I like the looks of the 18" better than 17", and was tempted to buy 19". But I was not willing to increase the noise any. Also potholes in Boston are tough enough on 18" non-runflats, 19" would be worse. I hope this helps.

 

Thank you everyone for all of your input. Decided to stick with the 17s. Was pretty sure I would, but always good to review the options when ordering. Can't wait for the sport suspension....and finally putting in the rear sway I got for Christmas LAST year....

 

Winter tires are often less noisy because they are made of softer rubber. My Mini Countryman is to be delivered with 18" runflats but i told them i'd rather go for non runflats on 17"
My winter tires will be 16"

 

If you want 225/55/17 tires with a whole
lot stiffer sidewalls, the Goodyear
Eagle LS-2 RunOnFlat or their
Excellence RunOnFlat would fit the
bill, although they would come in
just about dead last on my preference list

 

FYI this thread is from 2014.

 

Crap. It must have been a
‘related thread’ stuck on the
bottom of a new thread that
I scrolled down past by mistake.

 

Hi Cristo, thank you for the suggestion. I think you were looking for this thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-suggest.html