just picked up my first mini cooper 09 and wanted to drop it and put some nice rims on it but im not sure how to go about doing this and if i wanted 18 or 17 inch rims i guess that depends on the drop? help me out guys

 

Congrats, OHREALLY! Welcome to NAM and MINIs and fun and twistys!

Can't help you on your specific question but be sure to check out this section of the Forum: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nd-brakes-269/ and there is a search button on the upper right part of the page.

Good Luck!

 

ya i love my car just put a farin plate on it from italy looks cool.. but i want it faster... and i really want to lower it also..

 

so please help me out here i have a dream...lol no im playing but i want to lower my car and im not sure how to go about it..

 

mach v for wheels,go with 17's 18s need steering stops. texas speed works for lowering springs. good luck-pics!!!

 

Thanks for the mention. We've put many 18's on cars (including our own) and have never needed steering stops. We also have lowering springs.

Whether to choose 17" or 18" wheels has nothing to do with lowering, since you'll preserve the same outside diameter (by using different tires) no matter what wheel diameter you choose. It comes down to cost, weight, and appearance. Brake clearance has to be kept in mind, too. Smaller wheels are usually lighter weight, and the wheels as well as the tires will cost less. Larger wheels give a more dramatic look, can allow larger brakes, but cost more and weigh more, all other things being equal.

A 17" wheel is a nice compromise. It looks very good on the car, can be pretty light, and many 17" wheels can fit large JCW-sized brakes. I currently am running 18" wheels on our shop MINI, though...



--Dan
Mach V

 

im guessing this is a bad question but am i driving a r50?

 

i looked for those texas speed works for the lowering springs and cant find anything for the 09 mini

 

here she is...

 

R56 They used that for both the S and the Justa-cooper, so youve got an "R56 Justacooper"

If you can afford coilovers, id suggest that ... at least I wish i could raise mine up for winter. Im on H&R springs. 18s look sick and fit well, but your going to have some small rubber on them... if you drive a lot, or over potholes (any snowy state), Id probably try for 17s. Brand and look are your choice, but I would suggest trying for something lightweight... itll make the car drive/handle better. Start maybe looking at the usual OZ Ultraleggeras, and then see what styles you like

AND your in the 1st Gen section by the way... should be in the 2nd gen (07+)...Dont worry a moderator will probably move this thread

 

i think im a r57

 

thatd be a vert

r55 is a clubman

 

i dont understand this hole r thing

 

R55 - 2008+ Clubman and Clubman S
R56 - 2007+ Cooper and Cooper S Coupe
R57 - 2009+ Cooper and Cooper S, Convertible
is that not me in bold?

 

I read nowhere you had a vert. sorry if i missed that. Pic looked like a coupe

Edit: Thats gotta be a hardtop in that picture, no?

 

Ah... I see why you're confused. You're looking at the '09+ and thinking all '09+ cars are R57.


To clarify that list, the 2nd generation Hardtops (R56) came out in '07, but the 2nd generation convertibles (R57) weren't released until '09.


2007-Present Hardtops = R56
2009-Present Convertibles = R57

 

ok so im not driving a convertable so that means in an r56 right?

 

Correcto

 

ok just got off the phone and im planinng on getting n+m springs are they any good?

 

Search at the top of the page

searched "NM springs"... read up
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...archid=5741736

 

ok im serching....

 

I think 18's are overkill, especially for a Justacooper. They're going to be sooo heavy, that it'll hinder any performance mods you plan on doing unless you are willing to spend a lot of money for some light-weight rims.

For lowering, I think H&R's with 17's are the best combination. That's what I have, and the car sits very nicely. However, the rear can be a little lower.