I'll take a pic as soon as I get a chance and show you what I'm talking about (its in a tough spot so you may have to wait), but read through that thread on the Kumho 4x very surprised that the 225/50R18 are not rubbing under extreme driving condition they are about 1" bigger than stock size. Although the 18" rim is probably the key I'm sure it has a different offset then the 17" as it should be a wider rim (even if its not I would expect a different offset), so it will have more lateral room for the tire and thats where the space is in short supply.

 

Here is where I am assuming and really need to see if there are any differences. The 225/50R18 is almost the exact same size as the 225/55R17, so my concerns are exactly what you are proposing with the possible different offsets.

 

Its funny this car has been out for a year and a half here in the US, and 2 in Europe, and we still don't have the official specs listed, like OE rim size and offset, or even alternate tire sizes on tire rack or other sites.

 

Got my lift kit installed last week. Threw on my summer wheels with some new thicker rubber... ready to roll.

 

Looks great.

 

looks nice , is there 17 or 18" rims?

 

Sweet! How did you do the door handles?

 

They're 20" TSW Nurburgring wheels in gunmetal with 245/40/zr20 Continental extreme contact DSW tires. H&R bolt-on spacers(30mm)

I'm using the black door handle covers from Astethetic Creations (took quite a while for them to become available)

The lift is only 2", but with bigger tires the change in height feels much more than 2".
I can roll a youth size soccer ball clear under the car!

 

Hi, recently bought a COUNTRYMAN ALL4 and I put the 2" lift kit, but I'm interested in changing tires also to be able to raise a little more. The tyres that I bring now are 225/45 R18, which tyres do you recommend me?

 

This is an awesome thread! I want to get this kit as well :-)

Jill, what sizes tires are you running on your stock 18's? I want to use A/T tires with the lift!

 

IIRC I think she has 235/55-18 Blizzak DM-V1. Jaridp runs 215/17-16 BFG AT's which are even more aggressive.

 

Thanks Pepe. We are pretty close to each other. I was in Walnut Creek on Saturday. So JArdip had to drop to 16's, huh? And I'm not sure I want to go to Blizzak's for an everyday tire.

Yokohama has an A/T tire in 225-55-18 that may be an option

Did you lift yours?

-bg8

 

No, been thinking about it, and doing research. Didn't know about the Yokahama, that might be a good way to go, especially to not need new rims. Yah, the BFG's are limited for a tire to fit our wheel well. I saw a lifted Countryman online that was on Cooper Discoverer 235/60-17's that looked real good.

 

I have yokahama's for summer and they are great on my dirt roads and the dragon and blizzacks for winter and rally cross - both are fantastic. 225- 18-8-55's
( don't know tire order) a 60 will fit and the 55 rubs with the 18's but no holes were made before the lift kit during rally cross races)
I love the look lifted but it did mess up the racing- squirly and breaks when least expected but drifts easier on corners.

 

Jill,
Thanks for the response. What yoko's are you running in the summer, the All Terrains? How does it handle freeway speeds on asphalt?

Thanks!
-bg8

 

Getting my Pure Red Countryman lifted (2" kit) his week by the guys at Ox Speed. Rick has been great working with my schedule as I try to take advantage of being in the DC/Maryland area for work. Have a set of new wheels and tires that will have to be test fitted once they arrive from Tire Rack.

Will try to post some before and after pics later this week.

Would really be interesting to get all the wheel and tire size combos, pre lift and post lift, in one thread, in the opening post.

 

Been a busy week but below are the pics after the lift and with the new wheels and tires. The ride is different but not in a bad way, still very sporty but not as kart like. The difference is also due to ditching the run flats. With the new non RFs there is no worry with rough roads or speed bumps. Ride is smoother and quieter. With the new tire/wheel combo I was alble to save 10lbs per corner so hopefully can minimze some of the acceleration loss going with the larger size tires.

*Edit* The wheels are Breyton GTS-R 18s with Pirelli 235/50 Scorpion Verde All Season...I know, not a performance tire but one rated very high on Tire Rack across the board (dry/wet/snow) along with a great wear rating and, hopefully, improved highway fuel economy as I will be driving between Florida and DC regulary.

 

Here are a couple comparison pics at the local MINI dealer yesterday after getting service. There was a used Pure Red Countryman on the lot. It wasn't till after I took the pics that I realized it may have been on larger Non RFs, I see "DUELER" on the side wall. If I am motoring by there again I will try to stop and get the tire size off the other Countryman.

 

Looking Great! I have been drifting back and forth on lifting Archie (the extra clearance sure would be nice for the Alaskan winters)...and your PureRed sure has pushed me back into the YES category. Wow!

Side note: what Rack is that? Can't quite place it from the pics...

 

It really does look awesome. I too have been bouncing back and forth on whether I want to spend the $$$$ to lift and get new wheels/tires... Looks so great!

 

What did the service people say about the lift. Does the lift effect the warranty?

 

Thanks for the feedback!

It is a Rhino Rack Cargo Basket. They also have Cargo Boxes and Trays.

http://www.rhinorack.com/AccSubCateg...askets_74.aspx

Funny, I have never been to this dealership as I am from Florida and purchased my Countryman locally, so was prepared to introduce myslef and deal wih any issues that may be brought up. Before I could get out of the car to see a service rep I had guy after guy from the garage come out to check out my Countryman. The first guy immediately asked, "is that lifted" and then followed up with "it looks great". He hollered to another guy and then another. No one had anything but curious questions and compliments. The service rep never asked and the only other time it came up was the guy that drove it around from the wash.

So no issues were brought up about the lift and the warranty. I got my first and free service at 6500 miles. I got so distracted I forgot to ask about the recall.

 

Update?? How's things holding together?

 

did you need an alignment after the lift kit was installed?

thanks

scott

 

You would absolutely need an alignment since there is designed-in camber change as the suspension moves.