I haven't seen any black lug bolts available. I've heard rumors about non-scratch sockets, but haven't found one. I've heard that people have used electricians tape, or better yet, 1" heat shrink tubing to put a non-scratch coating on the end of the 17mm socket. I may try the heat shrink tubing sometime.

Some people convert from lug bolts to lug nuts with kits from Texas Speed Works. They have black, IIRC. Personally, I prefer the bolts and use wheel hangers to make it easy to put the wheel in place. I don't like the idea of dragging the aluminium lug holes over steel threads.


No, no, no! The X pattern is the standard method. Back to front is just for directional tires.

Or, maybe the Front Cross method is the standard...

 

Nope, mine are gunmetal. They're pretty dark though.

 

well my tires from tirerack just got here in 20 hours and they do have arrows on them so I will be rotating front to back. Now I have to take apart my brother in law's wheels and get the tpms sensors off....he is junking the wheels and tires so I was thinking of just cutting the tire so that I can get it off the wheel - any other suggestions?

 

Sounds like a plan. You might also need the little kit that includes replacement cores and washers for the TPMS. They are available through TR.

 

yeah thanks - Alex quoted me $4.50 each on those - I'm waiting to pull them off first b/c I have a feeling that I may need to purchase the entire valves if somehow I break one (or two)....I've already seen at least one of the valves has a metal cap which I'm having trouble unscrewing

 

TooLazy: How did this work out? I'm considering purchasing the G 019 Grids myself for our typically mild winters and wonder how you like the ride, wet/dry grip, etc.?

Thanks!

 

The G 019 Grids are working very well. I do have to say that going from runflats to non-runflats is a more comfortable ride but I do see a slight difference in handling. The sidewalls are not as stiff. This could also be due to me going from 16's to 17's as well since the car rides a little higher at 215/45/17 than it does at 195/55/16

They are directional tires so you can only rotate front to back but I do have to say that they kick up an enormous amount of water and work well in the rain.

 

Just got Molly back from having a new set of G 019 Grids installed, so far they are quieter than the RFs, still runnin' 16s, I did notice a change in the handling as well. We have Studded Tired roads so those rougher ones were quite noisy with the RFs, I still notice the road noise, but not as bad as before.

Will definitely review these on TireRack once I've driven on them for a while. I think I made the right choice for the cost comparison of most other tires in this class.

 

Thanks TooLazy and RJ! I appreciate the feedback, and am glad to know they're worth getting.

 

I first went with a set of non-RF's on the OEM 16" S-Winders. I put on 215/45-16 Kumho Ecsta ASX's and it made a dramatic difference in ride comfort and road noise. From my sig, you see that mine is lowered on the Mach V springs. Since I will eventually upgrade to a big brake system, I opted to go to 17" wheels so I went with a set of Rota RB's (Black center/polished lip) and I stayed with Kumho ASX tires but I went to a 225/45-17. I haven't noticed any change in the ride comfort and the nimble steering of the MINI is still there. This coming weekend will be my first time to do some get this set of tires out to curve up the roads but, if they work like the smaller set, I'm not worried too much about them.

If you are even thinking about going bigger on the brakes, the wheel upgrade is a good place to start.

 

Any rubbing issues with the 225/45 17. That setup is rather tall.

 

im envious

 

After driving an MCS with 16" tires I will probably be switching to 16" Rota RBs when these tires get worn out enough!!

 

I love the look of the Rota RB wheels. Post pix.

 

I had a set of 16" Rota RBs in silver. If you are using OEM brake pads I'd recommend the black with polished rims. They probably wont show brake dust as much. The RBs are a classic look for the MINI, but are not the easiest to clean. Lots of surfaces that a brush wont hit easily.

When I damaged the RBs I switched to Rota Slipstream 16x7 Gunmetal with a polished rim. The Slipstreams are lighter weight than the RBs by a couple lbs., and easier to clean. However, after switching to Bobcat brake pads, brake dust is no longer an issue.

 

I went from 17's to 16's, and am much happier. Stick with your 16's. The 17's were harder riding, and unlike the 17's give you protection against curb rash. The sidewalls on 17 tires do not have enough bulge in them to protect the wheel lips.