new here love the site. Our runflats on the 03 cooper S are done after 37k miles. My wife wants new rims and likes the r90's in a 17 inch. We are going away from runflats so i need some tire help.

Looking at Michelin Pilots ...or a guy told me about Toyo Fz4's i think it was.

What size can I get away with given the rim size and a stock mini cooper.

Looking to put in the order the next day or so, i am open to other tire suggestions. Just looking to make the wife happy. I will post pics when i have a chance.

BTW: getting the rims brand new $1900 installed does that seem about right? The michelins were around $120 i think i dont know the price on the toyos. I could not find a set of used R90's or else i would have gone that route.

 

I would stay away fro the Toyo Proxes Fz4. They are very bad in wet conditions. I recommend the Toyo Proxes 4 and if that is not available, please take the Michelin's.

Leo Barrios
leo@edgeracing.com
800-489-5353 x211
http://www.edgeracing.com

 

leo thanks and just stick with the 205/45/17?

 

Do you really need 17s? I ask because the R90 16s are so much cheaper and easier to keep clean. morristownmini.com has great prices on rims. You can see the R90 16s in my gallery. Now if you really want 17s ...I understand!!! You have got to keep the wife happy.

 

215-45-17 is a size many of us have chosen when upgrading to performance tires after ditching the runflats.

 

Which size 16" tires do you have? They look really good. Are they 45 or 50 sidewalls?

Thanks.

 

thanks for the link those are really good prices from morristown. I see your point on the 16's but the wife wants the 17's

Last question do i need the hubcaps and wheel lock accessories? These will fit a 2003 mini cooper s right?

"Hub Cap 36 11 0 419 079 required for retrofit." was noted on the mini site i am assuming i would need it since i am on a 03?

I may order from Morristown and just take the rims in to a tire dealer and have him put them on when i buy the new tires.

 

The caps are just plastic centerpieces that you can sometimes find on ebay (there is a set ending Feb 27) or other sites. Still, Morristown's price of 3.20ea is pretty good. As far as retrofitting goes, make sure you are in the MINI Hardtop -06/ Convertible wheels section and you will find the older part # R90s that require 36 11 0 419 069, which should be the ones in the auction and are listed further down on the site.
As for the wheel locks, they are not required, but if you are afraid that someone may make off with your new purchase they could be a good idea.

Personally, I haven't dealt with Morristown yet, but from the reviews I've seen on NAM they seem to be very helpful and would surely answer any questions you may have. So don't be afraid to give them a ring (just remember to order through the internet.)

 

With the 17's note that there is not enough bulge in the sidewalls to protect the rims from curb rash - a bummer.

 

They are Kuhmo ASTs in 205-50-16 size. They are directional treads and are very quiet. They stick great in wet or dry ..... and they were $280 mounted for all 4 tires!!

You will need the center caps, and I strongly suggest you also purchase the valve stems from MINI. Mine had lug nuts so I also needed some black plastic snap on caps for the lug nuts.

 

I just placed my order. Does anyone know the real difference between the R90 versus the R90 Composite? Is it noticeable?

I ended up going with the R90 out of the 06 section since the mini s is a 2003 and i would not need any retrofitting cap (which they dont have in stock).

The price difference was around $40 a piece versus the one labeled R90 composite in the 07 section.

Is it just a newer model, no real difference?

The price was
$333 for the r90 in the 2006 section
$365 for the r90 composite in the 07 section retrofit cap required.
$400 for the r90 composite in the 08 section.

They all stated they where alloy in the description so whats the catch?

What gives.

Hopefully i am just fine with the order thanks to all for the help!

 

I have a 03 MCS with 17" R90's running Nitto NeoGen 215/40/17 ZR's and they seem to be running just fine!

 

What is your location? Will these be driven in snow? Does it rain a lot and would wet weather performance be important to you?

These are the kinds of questions you need to think about when selecting tires. Give tirerack a call and discuss with them as they can offer some very accurate information and know how to ask the right questions of you.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e1=yes&place=8

If dirven in the snow, like my is, these tires will be great! Better grip in the wet and the cold than the kumho AST and they wear very well!

 

i am in Seattle, i will post pics once i get the rims and toyo proxy 4's. As of now they have not shipped from morristown. Thanks all!!