Seems to me, no........but I don't know....what's up besides they look cool

 

i will let you know in a few days

 

Actually there are serious disadvantages to 17" and 18" wheels in acceleration (slower) braking (takes longer), handling (less grip), and ride.

All of this is due to the additional weight and putting it farther out from the axle - if you could afford 10 lb. 18" wheels, there would be much less disadvantage...

If you want pure bling, go for it - if you want performance, use a 16" or 15" wheel.

 

18's on this car? no, i highly doubt advantages, but for bling some of them
look good with their BBK's showing through.

 

The origin of the big wheel trend is to provide room for larger brakes on race cars. I admit it looks good up to a point, but appearance is the main reason most people do it. A big wheel with a tiny stock disc brake looks kinda silly to me.

 

Then why does MINI ... who engineered and builds the cars, say this:

"To improve the steering response and get even more precise handling, we recommend the combination of the sport suspension with the 18 ["] John Cooper Works Wheels"

http://motoringfile.com/2004/11/12/j...sion_in_detail

in response to their suspension?

Sounds to me like like MINI is saying you get better handling with the 18s

 

i love seeing all the cars with big wheels and then tiny rear drum's painted bright red. It is pretty entertaining

 

You lose acceleration but gain a higher top speed from what I understand

 

If you're talking about the MINI specifically then I would vote a strong no.

The arguments such as tire size and diameter might vary on another car.

 

Because their marketing department thought it sounded good. McDonalds says "We do it all for you", but I'm not convinced. I don't eat there, so why would they be doing it for me? Of course, Burger King (where I also don't eat) says "sometimes you've got to break the rules" so the marketing teams aren't ALWAYS wrong.

 

to improve steering response and get even more precise handling...
from what? the junk SP9000DSST's? or even better, the
even junkier Euphorias?

(not laughing at you. Im laughing at the advertisement..but you seem
convinced? ).

 

A stiffer tire sidewall will improve turn in response. A larger wheel puts more metal and less rubber in the equation, which gives a stiffer sidewall, and better turning response.

But, I don't believe it completely. I'm going with 15" or 16" wheels for the track, personally.

The bigger wheel is heavier, and I drive a Cooper (not an S) so I need as light a wheel as I can get. With 16" wheels, I run a 5 series tire. Modern tires have pretty darned stiff sidewalls in a 50 series.

Look at the height of the sidewall on an F1 tire.

 

No Im not convinced. Maybe its marketing hype but if true, then I guess I cant believe anything any vendor claims

Oh WAIT ... I already dont believe any of it (like MTH ... or MYTH)

Personnally I think 18" looks lame with those skinny sidewalls but to Each their Own like this ...

 

all you haters

 

BBK and 17's

 

I have 18's and i would say no. The only reason i got them was for bling. I have track wheels for going fast.

 

The weight of the entire wheel and tire package must be considerd, as well, where the weight is in realation to the center of the axle. Bigger is almost never lighter.

Visually, I think a 17" wheel looks best on a Mini. Functionally (race track), I think a 16" wheel splices the best wheel weight to tire weight to tire contact patch to sidewall strength.

I think 18" wheels become too heavy and begin place too much emphasis on a single component rather than the entire form. 15" wheels though light, must carry tires with fairly tall sidewalls, or, be so wide they cannot fit - in an effort to reduce sidewall %.

Of course, if you're running a 200mph Mini, you might want 18" wheels so you can fit some 14" stoppers.

 

i dont think an 18" wheel will enhance handling, maybe if you staggard it like some of the coopers i have seen 18" in the rear and 17"s in the front...although i cant see that enhancing handling either....i am running 18"'s and its just for the looks...thats all...if i had to get something for rally or circuit..i wouldnt even put back on the 17's i'll go with 16 or 15" anyday...

 

For handling and responsiveness - lightest, widest and stickiest 15" street wheel tire combo you can find.

For bling - 18" chrome

Actually I think the 17 looks best overall.

I have run only 15s for over two years on my MCS, cuz when I'm in the car how it feels is more important than how it looks when I'm out of it....