Why are the 15" rims so popular? Is it the low weight? What about the bigger sidewalls? Don't they impede handling? I'm new to MINIs and looking to learn.
Why are the 15" rims so popular? Is it the low weight? What about the bigger sidewalls? Don't they impede handling? I'm new to MINIs and looking to learn.
Fast choices in race tires along with the wheel weight savings make 15" very popular. The use of wider wheels also stretches the tires out and helps to reduce sidewall flex.
Why are the 15" rims so popular? Is it the low weight? What about the bigger sidewalls? Don't they impede handling? I'm new to MINIs and looking to learn.
It depends on what you are trying to do.
R53 have smaller standard front brake calipers (non JCW) so the smallest rims that will fit are 15".
15" rims come in many widths including 8" and 9" if you want to go that wide. In 7" they can be less costly and weigh less while still being usable for tire sizes that are common for racing tires such as 205/50-15 and 225/45-15, both of which have very small tire diameter which gives lowered gearing (better acceleration at low speeds).
A smaller than OEM tire diameter also fits the MINI without rubbing issues compared to taller than OEM tire diameter sizes.
16" sizes of wheels are another good option, 16x7 or 16x8" are very usable. Tire sizes do vary but there are some good racing tires suitable for those rim sizes without rubbing issues.
For street use there can be taller sidewall tire sizes but if the tire has a 45 series sidewall it's going to be stiff. Even a 50 series sidewall can be stiff enough depending on tire construction.
I don't like the extra weight with wider than 17x7" and lighter weight comes at a premium price.
A word about light weight, even if forged, lighter wheels may not be as durable as you think. Some track wheel companies will warn buyers that their wheels are not for street use.
what autocross class? I use 949 15x8 for STX but for dstreet you are stuck with a stock width and +-1" diameter, so I run 16x7 enkie rpf1. Due to tire weight and 1" less width they are almost the same total weight.
what autocross class? I use 949 15x8 for STX but for dstreet you are stuck with a stock width and +-1" diameter, so I run 16x7 enkie rpf1. Due to tire weight and 1" less width they are almost the same total weight.
I run STX / DSP.
My R53 is a JCW so I'm not sure a 15" wheel would work to clear the front calipers. Do you think the 949 15x8 would clear the calipers?
I'm currently running SSR C-Types 16x6.5 with 205s, but I want to go wider. I may just end up slapping 215s on those wheels, but wondering if a wider wheel (7, 7.5 or 8 inches) would give me less sidewall flex.
I'm running 16 inch wheels at my local track (Calabogie Motorsport Park http://http://www.calabogiemotorsports.com/track/) and was finding that I was hitting the rev limiter in 4th gear along both the front and back stretches. I have two choices:
1. Keep it in 4th and continue hitting the rev limiter until I need to downshift into 3rd for the turns; or
2. Shift into 5th for maybe a few seconds (less than 4), then having to downshift into 4th and then into into 3rd for the turns.
I'm wondering if I should step up to 17 inch wheels, with a larger rolling diameter, which would allow a higher top speed in 4th gear and hitting the rev limiter later, or move down to 15 inch wheels, which would provide me a more usable 5th gear.
I'm running 16 inch wheels at my local track (Calabogie Motorsport Park http://http://www.calabogiemotorsports.com/track/) and was finding that I was hitting the rev limiter in 4th gear along both the front and back stretches. I have two choices:
1. Keep it in 4th and continue hitting the rev limiter until I need to downshift into 3rd for the turns; or
2. Shift into 5th for maybe a few seconds (less than 4), then having to downshift into 4th and then into into 3rd for the turns.
I'm wondering if I should step up to 17 inch wheels, with a larger rolling diameter, which would allow a higher top speed in 4th gear and hitting the rev limiter later, or move down to 15 inch wheels, which would provide me a more usable 5th gear.
Thoughts?
What tire size are you using on the 16" wheels?
Given that tire diameter you want-
Tire of smaller tire diameter as with 15" wheels but need to shift to 5th for a time.
Or tire of larger tire diameter up to OEM 24.4" as in 17" wheels and just use 4th gear up to rev limit. However you give up lowered gearing for lower speed portions of the track such as tight turns. If most of course is not low speed then 17" wheel and tire should work.
e.g. 17x7 to 17x8" wheel, 205/45-17, 215/45-17 tires
Which tires were you trying to use? Some tires have very limited tire sizes
I'm running 16 inch wheels at my local track (Calabogie Motorsport Park http://http://www.calabogiemotorsports.com/track/) and was finding that I was hitting the rev limiter in 4th gear along both the front and back stretches. I have two choices:
1. Keep it in 4th and continue hitting the rev limiter until I need to downshift into 3rd for the turns; or
2. Shift into 5th for maybe a few seconds (less than 4), then having to downshift into 4th and then into into 3rd for the turns.
I'm wondering if I should step up to 17 inch wheels, with a larger rolling diameter, which would allow a higher top speed in 4th gear and hitting the rev limiter later, or move down to 15 inch wheels, which would provide me a more usable 5th gear.
Thoughts?
To pile on to what Minihune said, you can get different overall tire heights with 15", 16", 17" wheels. For example, I'm running a 16" Team Dynamics wheel with 225/50ZR16 Toyo RA1 - these are from a friends Mini race car, and in my daily car, they're gigantic - 24.9" diameter.
At's nearly too big as I get rubbing (also very wide which is part of the equation too). Do consider what tire you want to run, then what diameter you think will be better for you, then work backward seems like a good approach. Changing wheel size if you don't actually increase the tire diameter won't have the effect you're looking for.
How many track days have you done? If just one or two, get a few more in before breaking out the credit card and changing wheel size.
My first track day I was in 3rd everywhere except the main straight. 2nd track day I started hitting the rev limiter in 3rd between turns 4 and 5, but it hardly seemed worth shifting to 4th for the few seconds before having to downshift for turn 5. 3rd track day I was up to 5th gear on the main straight and in 4th gear shortly after exiting turn 4 and hitting triple digits before braking for turn 5. Also I realized that I was better off shifting before hitting redline as the power starts to taper off above 5500 or so.
So if you are just starting out on the track, get more experience, you will get faster and where you shift will change. I'd spend $ first on improved tires which will make a huge difference, you'll be faster everywhere which will also change where you shift.
If you have already done dozens of track days and are running R compound tires then ignore all this.
I used my MINI for:
Track lapping
Driving school events
autocross
Rallycross
Road rally
Pictured with 6UL 15x8" et36 wheels and 225/45-15 R compound tires with Bilstein PSS9 coilovers.
What size spacers (front an rear) were you using with this setup. I will shortly be buying some 949 Racing 6UL 15x8" and need to know how wide of spacers I may need.
i run the 15x8 6ul on my r53 with colivers and straight springs, 10mm spacer up front and I think it's only 2mm in the rear, not much at all just for a little room on the trailing arm
