Hi everyone, I have a 04' Cooper S and I put 18" Breyton Racing wheels on it the day I bought it. I put 215 35Z tires on it. but because they are such low profile tires I have terrible luck with potholes.
I was wondering if anyone has a Cooper and has 18" wheels on it and has 40Z rated tires. If so do you have any rubbing with the wheel-well or struts with the taller side wall. Let me know cause I am thinking of going to a 40Z sidewall for more cushion for the wheels. Thanks, Ryan

 

Aren't 18's from JCW/MINI factory on 40 series tires?

I think the GP uses 205/40/18W.

 

All of the Mini tires are low profile including the Michelin that I put on instead of the runflats. I hope you have braced up your shock towers. You can do that with a chassis bar or M7 and a few other just have brace re-enforcements. For me 1 pothole cost 2 runflats 2 wheels a shock tower, or in english 3,000 bucks. Good luck

 

Yes, JCW uses Dunlop runflat tires 205/40/18 which is such an oddball combo that they cost a fortune (I just put 4 on my car).

You should also run the bumpstop kit, although you can easily get away without it. If you do the JCW suspension, you should definitely use the bumpstops.

 

Tarzan,

How

 

Tarzan,

Were can I get this bumpstop kit and what is its purpose?

 

It's part of the suspension kit, but can be ordered separately--see your dealer. When you mount these 205/40/18 tires, they "could" very, very, slightly rub at full wheel lock. Therefore, the bumpstops are spec'd as part of the JCW wheel option. If your car is not lowered, it's "sort-of" optional. The stop kit does reduce you turning radius, but prevents the very slightests of rub at full wheel-lock--more prominent if the car is lowered, therefore more "required" for lowered cars.

If you get the JCW suspension kit, the bumpstops are a part of that, and are pretty necessary. If you order just the 18" wheels, they suggest you install them too, though you can get away without it.

 

I have 215/50-16's on my MINI. The rear one tires will rub the plastic fender flares under extreme compression.
I hit a deep pothole driving between Maggie Valley and Cherokee in a fast left curve with the front passenger wheel (under compression, heavy loading), and only bent the rim, no strut tower damage. Thank goodness for tall sidewalls.. Alloy wheel and rim here in Greenville fixed the bent rim for $125.

Since we're talking about tires, George Hege in Charlotte is looking for a better deal on 17" Perelli Eufroi than he can get at Tire Rack or Discount Tire. Anyone have any good leads?