Hello everyone,
Please forgive me, but I can't seem to find the forest for the trees.
While I've been around my R53 for a number of years, done an engine swap and am confident in doing anything on the car myself now... I have no knowledge-base regarding wheels/tires (and suspension). Sometimes I'm even at a loss on what to google. I've lurked in this section for a while and have picked up a thing or two, but I still have tonnes of questions, and even more that I don't know.
The ultimate goal:
To find or create a consolidated thread as an educational resource on NAM.
If it exists, please post the link, if it doesn't - lets make one. I'm going out on a limb here and describing what I understand, or what I have found. Please forgive my mistakes and ignorance. Update my mistakes/questions or add to the knowledge-base in the posts below and I will edit this first post.
Wheels:
Tires:
Please forgive me, but I can't seem to find the forest for the trees.
While I've been around my R53 for a number of years, done an engine swap and am confident in doing anything on the car myself now... I have no knowledge-base regarding wheels/tires (and suspension). Sometimes I'm even at a loss on what to google. I've lurked in this section for a while and have picked up a thing or two, but I still have tonnes of questions, and even more that I don't know.
The ultimate goal:
To find or create a consolidated thread as an educational resource on NAM.
If it exists, please post the link, if it doesn't - lets make one. I'm going out on a limb here and describing what I understand, or what I have found. Please forgive my mistakes and ignorance. Update my mistakes/questions or add to the knowledge-base in the posts below and I will edit this first post.
Wheels:
- Rim size
Written example: 16x7
Diameter of wheel measured in inches 15", 16", 17", 18" then "by" the width: 7", 7.5", 8", 9" - Weight
Written example: 19 lbs
Note: choosing a lightweight wheel can help performance as there is less rotating mass to "spin up" - Construction
Wheels can be made of steel, aluminum alloys etc
Can be carved or forged from single piece (ie: Billet aluminum), stamped steel (like a inexpensive winter rims) or multiple pieces like more exotic rims
read more at: http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...urrentpage=103 - Offset
Written example: 43
Measured in mm
What is a stock offset for an R53?
TireRack Link: http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...jsp?techid=101 - Spacers
Used to compensate for the wheels' offset to align back to the center
Used to add clearance for brakes
Used to change the appearance giving a wider stance - Bolt Pattern
Written example: 4x100
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...urrentpage=108 - Lugs or Studs
Lug bolts are standard MINI issue, but stud conversion kits are available for you to convert to different patterns, or if you'd prefer to have studs
Different length lug nuts may be necessary based on if spacers are used
Tires:
- Sidewall Numbers
Written example: 225/45/R17
Measured in mm for the first number, % for the second number and inches for the third (who the hell decided to mix imperial and metric?)
What the numbers mean:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=46 - Tire compounds
The rubber compound of tires are not all created the same, some are sticky and meant for a short life on the track, others stick to snow and ice, some are meant for basic all season work. There are more specialized ones like mud, gravel etc
The reason why you don't ever see a thread in any car forum on this topic is:
The correct answer will depend heavily on the individual requirements and needs of the owner/driver.
These requirements include but are not limited to: intended use, weather constraints, budget, priorities for comfort vs handling vs treadlife, looks, fitment, etc.
For almost all of the subtopics in bold print you list (except bolt pattern), there can be an individual complex thread discussion about the pros and cons of the possible options.
FYI
Stock offset for any MINI wheel will depend on which diameter wheel.
For the R53 it could be 16x6.5" et48, 17x7" et48, or 18x7" et52.
MINIs come standard with OEM lug bolts not lug nuts. The bolt is a combination stud and nut in one piece. You can install wheel studs and lock the wheel on with lug nuts which can be open or closed ended. The original R50 and R53 MINIs came with 12mm bolts while later versions came with 14mm bolts. All MINI OEM wheels fit either 12 or 14 mm bolts but not all aftermarket wheels fit 14mm bolts, you may have to drill out the holes.
You forgot about centering rings or hubcentric rings which come in hard plastic or metal and fit the inside of the aftermarket wheel and over the MINI hubbore which is standard for all MINIs at 56.1mm. It is recommended to use a centering ring even if it is very thin. Hard plastic rings are OK for street use while metal is better at handling heat generated with heavy performance driving such as on a track.
There is more to sidewall numbers than just the size which is written as -
205/45-17. 45 is the sidewall profile which measures 45% of 205mm. The lower the sidewall profile the stiffer the sidewall, the more responsive the handling, but adds to risk when hitting a pothole which could damage a wheel/tire or your suspension.
Treadwear numbers are only a general estimate of tire treadlife and may vary from one company to the next. A tire with 200 treadwear may wear out twice as fast as one with 400 treadwear of the same company.
Load index is important and needs to be at least the same as your OEM MINI tire that came with your car. Roughly 84 or higher is good.
Speed rating for tires has to do with how well the tire can handle higher loads and temperatures when stressed at higher speeds. It is not a measure of how fast your MINI can go. The minimum speed rating for most MINIs is H or V rated but you can easily use a tire that is rated W or Y.
Tread pattern and block design as well as sidewall construction are important factors for handling and performance for any modern tire, prices are not a good indicator of what is a good value.
You should know that putting the best possible tires on your MINI is a sure way to get the best performance and handling out of your car even if it is only in factory stock trim. Do not shortchange your MINI on tires.
Suspension considerations are handled in another Forum.
The correct answer will depend heavily on the individual requirements and needs of the owner/driver.
These requirements include but are not limited to: intended use, weather constraints, budget, priorities for comfort vs handling vs treadlife, looks, fitment, etc.
For almost all of the subtopics in bold print you list (except bolt pattern), there can be an individual complex thread discussion about the pros and cons of the possible options.
FYI
Stock offset for any MINI wheel will depend on which diameter wheel.
For the R53 it could be 16x6.5" et48, 17x7" et48, or 18x7" et52.
MINIs come standard with OEM lug bolts not lug nuts. The bolt is a combination stud and nut in one piece. You can install wheel studs and lock the wheel on with lug nuts which can be open or closed ended. The original R50 and R53 MINIs came with 12mm bolts while later versions came with 14mm bolts. All MINI OEM wheels fit either 12 or 14 mm bolts but not all aftermarket wheels fit 14mm bolts, you may have to drill out the holes.
You forgot about centering rings or hubcentric rings which come in hard plastic or metal and fit the inside of the aftermarket wheel and over the MINI hubbore which is standard for all MINIs at 56.1mm. It is recommended to use a centering ring even if it is very thin. Hard plastic rings are OK for street use while metal is better at handling heat generated with heavy performance driving such as on a track.
There is more to sidewall numbers than just the size which is written as -
205/45-17. 45 is the sidewall profile which measures 45% of 205mm. The lower the sidewall profile the stiffer the sidewall, the more responsive the handling, but adds to risk when hitting a pothole which could damage a wheel/tire or your suspension.
Treadwear numbers are only a general estimate of tire treadlife and may vary from one company to the next. A tire with 200 treadwear may wear out twice as fast as one with 400 treadwear of the same company.
Load index is important and needs to be at least the same as your OEM MINI tire that came with your car. Roughly 84 or higher is good.
Speed rating for tires has to do with how well the tire can handle higher loads and temperatures when stressed at higher speeds. It is not a measure of how fast your MINI can go. The minimum speed rating for most MINIs is H or V rated but you can easily use a tire that is rated W or Y.
Tread pattern and block design as well as sidewall construction are important factors for handling and performance for any modern tire, prices are not a good indicator of what is a good value.
You should know that putting the best possible tires on your MINI is a sure way to get the best performance and handling out of your car even if it is only in factory stock trim. Do not shortchange your MINI on tires.
Suspension considerations are handled in another Forum.