I'm just over it at this point and I'm basically ready to give it away.

But before I do, I need to ask someone who knows:

Is there ANY reason why 17" wheels from a 2005 Cooper S should NOT go on a 2012 Cooper Base? Rubbing issues? Some kind of hub issue??

I am getting a very audible, very feel-able vibration that I'm starting to notice at lower speeds, but is DEFINITELY distinguishable at 55mph+. I am completely boggled. Flabbergasted. NO idea what else to even try.

I have bought 3 different sets of wheels, and the tire place I've been taking it to HAD me convinced it was due to bent wheels. But now I got 4 perfectly round wheels with brand new tires on the car, and nothing has changed. I'm just absolutely exhausted from trying to run this problem down. I'm so done. Please tell me what else it could possibly be, if you have a clue. Mechanics have been no help..."I can't hear anything. I don't know what you're talking about."

I'm weird, but I'm NOT crazy, or just hearing things.

Thank you.

 

To answer your question, 17” wheels from a 2005 will fit with no issue on a 2012, no issue.

Now, you’re second comment, in between all the ranting, if it’s not wheels or tires, my second guess would be wheel bearings. You didn’t mention anything about that, so I’m throwing it out there….

You're welcome

 

I agree with wheel bearing. I would also take a look into re-balancing the wheels. I have the same problem on my commuter car over 50 mph. I got the tires balanced and since the vibration is gone. I think about $15 per wheel and maybe an hour in total. Worth a try before you buy another set of tires.

usually balancing the wheels is an option people often decline.

 

Thank you both, and I'm sorry for the drama. It's been a month and a half saga of dealing with mechanics who wouldn't admit mistakes and sellers lying to me about the state of their wheels (I don't think the last person I bought from liked to me by any means - in fact I'm learning that this 17" wheel must just be cheap and/or soft metal), so I'm just...fed up with dealing with issue after issue after issue.

I am looking into the wheel bearing issue, and will see if that's what it is. I have a mechanic I trust, who also has a good friend who is a BMW mechanic AND a Mini Cooper owner. If those two can't figure it out, then...the world may end!?

I had the wheels and tires put on 2 days ago at Discount Tire, who has been extremely helpful and has been doing almost all this work at no cost because of the craziness I've been through, and they used a RoadForce balancer, so I'm confident they're properly mounted and balanced. At this point it has to be something else.

At the same time I initially had these wheels and tires mounted on the FIRST set (did I mention I've now bought 3 sets of these wheels?), a mechanic replaced my sway bar links (and sway bar? I need to find out), as well as the rear struts. I'm wondering if there could be an alignment issue, or...something along those lines, because this started happening right after that. I just thought it was surely the wheels and/or tires because that would have made the most sense.

 

Also by the way, I still very much appreciate your help in figuring out the strut situation - it was vital in problem-solving and even essential in convincing the owner of the shop that they had installed the wrong part.

They replaced the struts with Mini brand struts after conveniently finding the coils and other parts they had needlessly tossed in the junk bin, and when they were done the shop owner said "it DOES seem to have lowered it back down a lot." Such a relief.

 

Why not get aftermarket coilovers? If your assuming they changed the sway bar thats a bit odd. I mean its several hours of labor.

 

Yeah, I wish I'd thought it through a little better. I could have avoided a LOT of hassle with this mechanic, and I'd have had a better suspension setup...it was just kind of suddenly dropped in my lap, and I was flustered and not sure of what to do.