Hi Folks,

I just bought an '04 JCW that has 18" wheels. Would like to get a set of snow wheels/tires, but wasn't sure if I need to get the same size? I have learned that some cars have brakes that will not allow smaller wheels. Please advise!

Thanks-AJ

 

my one and only mini is a countryman, so i can not directly help you
contact Alex @ tirerack, he is most helpfull and knows minis
scott



Alex Mouroulis | Sales Specialist
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Tire Rack
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Alex@tirerack.com

 

With winter you have at least two options.

Have two sets of wheels, one only for winter use to put on in the fall and remove in the spring.

Have two sets of tires and mount them on your current 18" wheels.

Usually if you have the room to store a set of winter wheels/tires in the garage or storage out of the sun or heat then 17" wheels and winter tires would be a good place to start.

17" wheels are more likely to easily clear your JCW brakes which have a slightly larger front brake caliper. Aftermarket 16" wheels might not clear it but some do, ask Alex@tirerack which wheels would work if if interested.

16" wheels and winter tires are certainly a viable option for you too.

But for example sake here are some 17" tire choices from tirerack for your MINI:
http://www.tirerack.com/snow/WinterT...&winterType=AB

Tires in 205/45-17 from $159 to $184 each in Performance Snow class.
17x7.5" alloy wheels from about $103 each in various styles.

For 16" wheels using 195/55-16 winter tires:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...S&autoModClar=
10 tires to choose from starting at $96 each and most under $150 each
Alloy wheels 16x7 or 16x7.5" from $89 each

 

Thanks!

 

Searching through these threads for the answer I am looking for and I found this one.

I have an 02 R53 and I am updating my front brakes to jcw calipers and rotors.

My question is this: Will 16" wheels clear the calipers?

 

Which JCW calipers are you updating to? If you are updating to the Calipers that were on the r53 JCW tuning kit (larger single piston caliper with larger 11.57" rotors), then those are the same as the current r56s brakes and most stock 16" wheels clear those without issue.

Is you are moving to the JCW brembo kit from the r56 JCW (4 piston front calipers and 12.4" rotors) then you'll need to move to 17" wheels. Even within the 17" wheels, not all will clear the calipers so you'll new to do a search on what wheels clear the r56 JCW brakes.

 

The ones I am updating to are just single piston calipers. Thanks for your help!