Does anyone have pictures of 18" wheels on a MINI. I'm torn between doing 17" or going up to 18".

Plus how is the ride with 18" wheels?

 

This should help:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...18-wheels.html


I just went down to 17's from 18's and I'm much happier but then again I'm getting older

 

Thanks. I couldn't find a thread on this. I might just go with 17's for the weight alone.

 

Running OEM MINI GP rims - They weigh 18 lbs....Not bad for 18's IMO.

Pirelli P Zero Nero 215/40/ZR18's All Seasons....ride is way smoother than the 16's I had with Bridgestones Grids too. Other's whom have driven my MINI down same stretches of road says the same thing too, incl my MINI mechanic.

PS: I have JCW Sport susp. as well. and it dropped my MCS - 1/2 inch.

 

How are your roads- very smooth or full of potholes?

What do you use your MINI for- only street driving or performance driving on the track or at driving school events?

Are you driving alone most of the time or do you regularly have passengers?

Ride quality is likely to be better with 17" wheels since tire size can be 205/45-17 or 215/45-17.

18" wheels often need to be 35 or 40 series sidewall and the tires in these sizes tend to be more for handling and less for comfort/noise reduction.

If you lower your suspension you will have less clearance and a little more to consider if you have 18" wheels unless you choose a tire size that is smaller than stock tire diameter.

Generally the weight of a 17" wheel is going to be less than a 18" for about the same price range. Depends on the design and how wide the rim is.

 

Well another question I should have asked is what is the best tire size for 17's and best for 18's. The road near me aren't to bad. I good about avoiding any potholes. My MINI isn't going to be on the track much for a few years. When it is my second car it will be a track car.

 

It is my ONLY daily driver....as you can see I live in New England, worse roads around due to frost heaves....plenty of pits and pot holes too.

I have kids, they are 8 and ride in the back.. The JCW kit only lowered my MINI 1/2 inch compared to other kits....and keeps my car stock.

I dont race it, track it, it is my general grocery getter and main transportation and the ride is phenominal.....

My OEM GP rims are 18 x 7....and the ride is less harsh than the 16's even with the JCW Stiffer suspension....even my MINI Mechanic couldnt get over how much better the ride was......

IMO the 35's do not have enough side wall.....40's are what I have and are perfect even for the lowered JCW Springs/struts.

Dont beleive me still ? ....come take a ride

 

There is no one best size as it depends on which wheel width, which suspension, and your choice of Summer vs All Season tires.

For 17"
205/45-17 is stock and common with some good tires.

In Ultra HP Summer tires
Bridgestone RE760 Sport $103 each, 340 treadwear, in 215/45-17 $124

In Ultra HP All Season tires
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus $177 500 treadwear and in 215/45-17 $163

215/45-17 is common but slightly taller than stock so not as good if you lower your suspension. For stock suspension it is fine.

Many choices in Ultra HP Summer tires-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...er=17&type=UHP

In Ultra HP All Season tires-
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $146 each 400 treadwear

For 18"
205/40-18:
In UHP Summer tires
Yokohama S.Drive

In 215/35-18:

In UHP Summer tires- several
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...er=18&type=UHP

In UHP All Season tires- a few
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...=18&type=UHPAS

 

I know a guy who tracks/races his MINI GP and it is his daily driver.... He runs 18 x7 rims and runs Michelins in size 225/40/18. AND has no clearance issues.

The 35's will be a problem for ya unless you have lots of $$$ and you like buying rims all the time.

When I ordered my tires from Tire Rack, they called me on the phone the next day. Stating a red flag for my application. They were very concerned and gracious on the phone, But they err on the side of caution.

My 215/40/18's have NO clearance issues on my MCS and I have no steering stops installed either.....

 

225/40-18 is very tall for the MINI. Tire diameter is 25.1" and would work if- you used stock suspension and you had enough rear negative camber for clearance. Several Extreme summer tires like the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 come in that size and would be good for street or track use. That size tire is better for rims at least 7.5" wide.

215/40-18 is also a workable size although a little tall at 24.7" tire diameter, very similar in fit to the 215/45-17 tire used on stock wheels.
Stock suspension goes well with this size.

 

Just had a thought. When putting new wheels on has anyone had trouble with the Tire Pressure Monitor system. Do you have it hooked up to the new wheels or does the system just turn it's self off?

 

For a 2008 you more than likely have TPMS sensors in the valve stems of your tires. Just make sure you tell installer to transfer from old to new. I'd guess your sensor will go off when starting up the new tires but a simple reset will do it.

Mine had the last of the ABS based sensors so when I went from RFT's to non I did not miss a beat as far as sensors going off

 

Well I was going to order off of Tire rack or wheelfire.com as I have found prices and a style that I want. Will they do the swap with the new ones or will I have to get it done?

 

just put on 18's on my mini...ride sucks (im on drop springs -_-), gotta keep a look out for potholes, but sure does make the car look SWEEEET!

 

has anybody see hp racing blitz wheels on a MINI? I'm torn between gunmetl finish or a bronze finish.