When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I bought a 1st Gen mini R50 with aftermarket rims and would like to go back to stock. At least to regular sidewall tires instead of the low profile ones (the ride is too rough). My first question is: are these 1st generation minis 4 bolt or 5 bolt pattern?
Last edited by mayagrafix; Apr 10, 2020 at 03:42 AM.
For a smoother Ride.... and stock look... go with a 16" Factory MINI.
205/55R16 would be an ideal size and give great handling.... and probably the smoothest ride.
IMO, you will sacrifice ZERO performance going to the 16' in either the 195 or 205 widths (compared to 17/205's) In street driving.
O.D. is near stock and at only 0.2" more than stock.... which would bring your speedo to a more 'true' reading.
Many on here have run the larger OD tires with zero rubbing... so your good there.
I've become a fan of Nankang tires... I feel they offer the best quality in lower priced tires (General, Kumho, Riken, Falcon, Fuzion, Hankook etc).
Less than $60/tire shipped https://simpletire.com/nankang-205-55r16-24460045-tires
ECS has a SMOKING deal with FREE shipping on some beauties... R90 Factory Mini's
Bolt on and go... has that nice Challenge-Car/JCW 'CrossSpoke" look too !
Be aware that there are two Factory-MINI "R90" wheels... one in 16" and one in 17"
Handling will be great.... and ride quality will be optimized also with the low unsprung weight of a light wheel/tire combo. (easier on pot holes).
So long as your car is not lowered at all (that is the true killer of ride quality in the MINI's....regardless of what brand/shock/spring etc)
R84 X-Lite
.
FWIW, I think the R81 holies with the stock 175/65R15 tire size is the lightest combo ever offered on the first gens. It’s what I initially optioned on my car, and I think they work really well on a stock R50.
FWIW, I think the R81 holies with the stock 175/65R15 tire size is the lightest combo ever offered on the first gens. It’s what I initially optioned on my car, and I think they work really well on a stock R50.
Not to mention the tires are super inexpensive....Great for a daily commuter with that size for fuel economy .
Not to mention the tires are super inexpensive....Great for a daily commuter with that size for fuel economy .
.
They’re also a ton of fun in the mountains. You won’t be winning many races, but putting the car right on the edge of grip safely makes for lots of smiles. With the stock sport suspension and tall sidewalls, the car will understeer really predictably and progressively, and you have to be incredibly stupid with your inputs to really upset things. The whole slow car fast bit really is true.
