I just bought a 2013 S Coupe with 17" X 7.0" Conical Black Spoke Alloy Wheels equipped with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A P205/45R17 run flat tires.

I want to change those out and put on new JCW 18" Cross Spoke Gloss Black Wheels equipped with Pirelli PZero 86W XL 205/40R18 run flat tires.

Besides pulling the original wheels, removing the TPMS sensors and installing them and the new set on my car; what do I need to do / watch out for?

Will I need to adjust the suspension or use spacers or redo any alignment?

Also how will this effect the handling and ride of my coupe?


Thanks for any and all comments

 

Since the two tires are of equal width (205) but the 18" is a lower aspect ratio you're going to have a smaller sidewall and thus a more harsh ride. Since you're goign to a bigger wheel I don't think you'll be needing spacers. The overall diameter of the tire will increase like 5 mm.

 

I wondered how that 10.25mm reduction in sidewall height would translated to handling and feel...being run flats: Harsh+Harsh.

Looks like the item in questions isn't actually spacers but rather the steering angle stop kit. In addition to that, the dealer says they need to do an alignment too. Is any of this really needed and why?

 

Well according to MINI 18" wheels could rub the inner fenders when turned the whole way, which is why thwy want to instal the stop kit.

According to some comments on this motoring file story (http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/10/...ring-stop-diy/) lots of people with 18's didn't have the stop kit installed and have had no problems.

 

After a month with my new wheels... I slightly regret having used the wheel stops. Of course the dealer said they are mandatory for those wheels and I certainly wouldn't want to be rubbing the fenders. BUT I hate the loss of turning radius...I can't even pull a Uey in a typical residential street.

I'm looking at TSW springs that will slightly lower my coupe; so I'm guessing that the stops will definitely have to stay now...any thoughts or experiences?

 

Honestly, the jump from 17 to 18 isn't much of a difference imho. I went from 17s to 18s for a while, but had to go back to 17s because my 18s were rubbing the **** outta my front fenders because they were being pushed out from the 15mm spacers I used to clear my stoptechs and the offset was essentially -20 up front with -1.5 camber which still wasn't enough. For those that keep saying your ride would be much more harsher are just ignorant and clearly don't like the look of 18s. Also you don't need the stop kits, you're still stock height I'm assuming, and I rode 18s pretty much slammed and never had issues.

 

Thanks for the info... I'm currently at stock height but I'll probably have the stops pulled when I add the new TSW Springs; seems like as good a time as any. Then I was thinking I should wait a week or two for the everything to settle before I get a re-alignment.

 

 

How do the stops install?

 

I'm lowered on NM springs with Hotchis adjustable rear lower control arms on my R58 JCW. I run 215/40-18 tires without the stupid wheel stops and have no rubbing issues either in the wheel wells or the wheel openings. If the wheel openings rub slightly they are self clearing since that area is all plastic. I've run this combination on my past two JCW's.

 

I am with R55, but the same rule applies: my PEPPERNSALT is on Work Meister S1r 18x8, 205/40/18 S Drives, et 42 all around, NM springs and H lower arms at the back. No Wheel stops as well. No issues at all. Even when I had R105s, last year with same rubber I never experienced rubbing when turning (not having wheel stops)... Just sayin'...

 

In retrospect I wish I had passed on the wheel stops (they only apply on the fronts). Kills me every time I make a U turn in the middle of the street and have to finish it by back up

Dealer said I "had to"

Yeah well when I add coil overs I plan to "have to" remove them too....ahhhhh

 

When we ordered my wife's MINI, we ordered it with the 18" gloss black R113 wheels. These were installed by the dealer. Before mounting, the steering angle stop kit had to be installed. Just recently, I had NM Engineering springs installed (1.2" drop) and an alignment. No issues whatsoever. My advice, if you do want to go with the 18" wheels, make sure you do it right and have the steering angle stop kit installed.

 

But when you say this you do have a slight 'issue' in that you decrease the turning radius of the car.

My SA said if you really need to pull a Ueeey just gun it and pull the emergency brake...a solution that I doubt is in a service bulletin

 

A "Ueeey" is not an issue. My wife does not do them, nor do I. I do the old fashioned 3-pt. turnaround.

 

...cuz why risk curb rash

 

So.....if it doesn't rub without the stupid steering angle stop kit why would anyone install it and reduce the turning radius? What is the definition of doing it right? Whatever MINI thinks is right? We all know their engineering batting average and currently they are 8 or 9 in the batting order!

 

MINI is not up to date with few of their own informations regarding wheels and suspension. Period! Try finding out by MINI books what OEM wheels fit over BBK JCW brakes, for example. After what 12 years of production, they still don't have a comprehensive list of thei own wheels and what fit where. I know this because even few dealers in my area do not know it. All their brochures and installation instructions are incomplete and not updated...

Back to wheel stops: I am 100% Sure that at some point there was a 18" OEM rim design introduced that maybe required wheel stops for rubbing issues. Maybe... And then the rule was generalized. For all 18". Again, I had so far 3 different 18" design and none of them had any issues.
So, saying everything HAS TO BE RIGHT ( by MINI standards) is overstatement. By that rule, you should not installed NM springs on your car because MINI does not recommend it. Just saying...

 

So sticking with the baseball analogy: I’ve let Mini and their stops have more than enough swings in the line up. But since I’ve acquired Öhlins coilovers, Eibach camber plates and rear control arms and a Hotchkiss 25mm hollow rear sway bar...it’s time to find a spot in the line up for them.

Basically when they go in, the Mini stops get benched. If that proves to be a mistake I’ll worry about it at that point, otherwise they’ll be up on the block. Thanks for everyone’s comments, help and insight.

Batter up

 

+1. Finally, someone understands my humor! Great suspension decisions IMO.