AUTOCROSS WHEEL/TIRE SET UP
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3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
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AUTOCROSS WHEEL/TIRE SET UP
Hey everyone, I'm new to this board. Just got a 2005 MINI S black on black and am starting my first autocross event next month. I am not in the market for a new wheel/tire setup because I dont want to autoX on runflats forever. I am open for suggestions. Should I run 16 or 17s. How wide 6.5 or 7? I dont want to run into any trouble with tire rubbing obviously soo I would like to play it safe. What size wheels do manay race-spec minis run?
I reallly like the race look of OZ wheels but I know there are more lighter options out there. How heavy are the stock MCS wheels? What are some of the lightest affordable options out there?
I would prefer a more low-profile tire. I really like the Falkens. Any suggestions? Should I run wheel spacers to widen my stance? What size wheel spacers?
I really appreciate any help. (Pics of my ride to follow)
I reallly like the race look of OZ wheels but I know there are more lighter options out there. How heavy are the stock MCS wheels? What are some of the lightest affordable options out there?
I would prefer a more low-profile tire. I really like the Falkens. Any suggestions? Should I run wheel spacers to widen my stance? What size wheel spacers?
I really appreciate any help. (Pics of my ride to follow)
Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Tejas
Here's my $0.02 for what it's worth...
We recently had the chance to chat with the Bridgestone guys at our Oktoberfest AX events, and they were more than happy to show us a presentation on OE-replacement tires and the aftermarket. The summary? 15's and 16's are becoming obsolete and Bridgestone, for one, has NO intention of serving that market - which bites, because the RE-01R is a great AX tire choice. Their recommendation? Go with 17's as that's the meat of the current and future markets.
That being said, I sincerely hope that Falken and Hankook don't follow suit. Of course, the Japan and SE Asia market have a lot more cars running around on 15's and 16's - however, that doesn't mean that they will continue to import those sizes into the US and seek DOT approval. That could be bad news for those of us that like 15's and 16's for AX and track work.
Currently, we really, really like 225/50R15 and 225/45R16 sizes for AX and track work. On our Cooper test mule, we run 225/45R16 Hankook RS-2's on OZ Ultraleggera 16x7's with a +37 offset. We had to do some trimming to make them work, though, and you definitely need negative camber in the front. On our Cooper S track ****, we run 225/50R15 Toyo RA-1's with NO trimming required.
Unfortunately, in a 16" size your options are limited for tires - 215/45R16 Falken Azenis RT-615's, 225/45R16 Hankook RS-2's, and Bridgestone RE-01R's in 205/55R16 and 205/45R16... The 205/55R16 RE-01R's worked well on the '07 Cooper S that took the win in class in our AX event last weekend - mainly because it makes copious torque. IMHO, the 205/45R16 size would be a better choice for AX with the '05 Cooper S, given the smaller O.D.
In the 17" size range, you have more selection of top-tier AX tires - RT-615's, RE-01R's, Hankook RS-2's, etc. We like to shoot for a 23.2-23.9" O.D. for AX and track work, so keep that in mind when you're looking at tires... If you're in that range, you'll get excellent performance.
I'd go with a 7" wide wheel regardless of which you go with as far as rim O.D. Offsets should be between a +37 and +42.
It's definitely going to be harder and harder to find good 15" and 16" tires for AX over the next several years... In fact, I'm leaning towards 17's in the future because of it. It's unfortunate because we like the lighter weights of 15" and 16" wheels, but the market is definitely headed in the 17"+ direction. If it's a car you're planning to keep for quite some time, I might be inclined to suggest 17's - as light as you can find!
We recently had the chance to chat with the Bridgestone guys at our Oktoberfest AX events, and they were more than happy to show us a presentation on OE-replacement tires and the aftermarket. The summary? 15's and 16's are becoming obsolete and Bridgestone, for one, has NO intention of serving that market - which bites, because the RE-01R is a great AX tire choice. Their recommendation? Go with 17's as that's the meat of the current and future markets.
That being said, I sincerely hope that Falken and Hankook don't follow suit. Of course, the Japan and SE Asia market have a lot more cars running around on 15's and 16's - however, that doesn't mean that they will continue to import those sizes into the US and seek DOT approval. That could be bad news for those of us that like 15's and 16's for AX and track work.
Currently, we really, really like 225/50R15 and 225/45R16 sizes for AX and track work. On our Cooper test mule, we run 225/45R16 Hankook RS-2's on OZ Ultraleggera 16x7's with a +37 offset. We had to do some trimming to make them work, though, and you definitely need negative camber in the front. On our Cooper S track ****, we run 225/50R15 Toyo RA-1's with NO trimming required.
Unfortunately, in a 16" size your options are limited for tires - 215/45R16 Falken Azenis RT-615's, 225/45R16 Hankook RS-2's, and Bridgestone RE-01R's in 205/55R16 and 205/45R16... The 205/55R16 RE-01R's worked well on the '07 Cooper S that took the win in class in our AX event last weekend - mainly because it makes copious torque. IMHO, the 205/45R16 size would be a better choice for AX with the '05 Cooper S, given the smaller O.D.
In the 17" size range, you have more selection of top-tier AX tires - RT-615's, RE-01R's, Hankook RS-2's, etc. We like to shoot for a 23.2-23.9" O.D. for AX and track work, so keep that in mind when you're looking at tires... If you're in that range, you'll get excellent performance.
I'd go with a 7" wide wheel regardless of which you go with as far as rim O.D. Offsets should be between a +37 and +42.
It's definitely going to be harder and harder to find good 15" and 16" tires for AX over the next several years... In fact, I'm leaning towards 17's in the future because of it. It's unfortunate because we like the lighter weights of 15" and 16" wheels, but the market is definitely headed in the 17"+ direction. If it's a car you're planning to keep for quite some time, I might be inclined to suggest 17's - as light as you can find!
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 9
Just wanted to share my experience getting a set of tires/wheels:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...03#post1814603
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...03#post1814603
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 1
From: Wappingers Falls, NY
What class are you going to run?
IF you're running in SCCA G-Stock, you have to use either 16x6.5 or 17x7. 16x7 is not allowed for the Cooper S in the SCCA rules. Also, the offset has to be with 1/4" of the stock offset for the appropriate size of wheel.
Your post reads like this will be your first time autocrossing, so if so, I'd definitely stick with a nice street tire. Falkens are a great choice, and the Bridgestones and Hankooks also have good results - although I don't have any significant seat time on any of the hot street tires other than the Falken.
fjork_duf's Rota Slipstream and Falken Azenis combo described in his link is probably a great place to start looking.
IF you're running in SCCA G-Stock, you have to use either 16x6.5 or 17x7. 16x7 is not allowed for the Cooper S in the SCCA rules. Also, the offset has to be with 1/4" of the stock offset for the appropriate size of wheel.
Your post reads like this will be your first time autocrossing, so if so, I'd definitely stick with a nice street tire. Falkens are a great choice, and the Bridgestones and Hankooks also have good results - although I don't have any significant seat time on any of the hot street tires other than the Falken.
fjork_duf's Rota Slipstream and Falken Azenis combo described in his link is probably a great place to start looking.
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