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Short of getting a build sheet from my dealer, is there a way to find out what came as the stock size and style of rim when the R52 was introduced in 2005?
On the R52 you could get 15", 16", 17" or 18". When I got mine I went with the 15" stock for the Cooper , for the S it was 16". The Launch cars and photos had the the pinnacle R91 wheel which was a 17" with a 205/45/17 tire.
Mine were delivered with the R93 according to the build sheet. The dealer I bought it from must have removed them and mounted R103. I'm not complaining one bit! One of the club members locally has a set of R105 for sale, but I can't imagine my spine would last very long with 18's fitted.
Mine were delivered with the R93 according to the build sheet. The dealer I bought it from must have removed them and mounted R103. I'm not complaining one bit! One of the club members locally has a set of R105 for sale, but I can't imagine my spine would last very long with 18's fitted.
Well, the 18's would have a lower profile and generally ride harder. You can offset that some with choice of tire. Get a lesser performance tire and generally they will have a softer ride. Michelin's are known to be very smooth, although they are usually more $$$$. Consider the older Mich AS3 (Not the newer3+) if you want to go to 18's.
Also, lighter wheels (and tires) will give a better ride so consider wheel weight when selecting 18's. Not sure how heavy the 105's are compared to what you are running now.
Looks like my R103 are 19 pounds whereas the R105 are 23 pounds. I'd have to go with 35 series rubber on those - yikes. I have AS3's on my wife's car, I like 'em a lot. But I can't imagine liking them on the R52 with a super low profile.
I my try hunting for some R81 - at 12 pound a piece!
Looks like my R103 are 19 pounds whereas the R105 are 23 pounds. I'd have to go with 35 series rubber on those - yikes. I have AS3's on my wife's car, I like 'em a lot. But I can't imagine liking them on the R52 with a super low profile.
I my try hunting for some R81 - at 12 pound a piece!
R81 is a 15 inch wheel I believe. Not much good unless a justa.
I put AS3's on my R52 with the stock "night-spoke" wheels. 215/45/17. Ride is pretty good considering JCW suspension. I purposely did NOT get the AS3+ because they are a stiffer (better performance) tire.
I have another set of spare wheels which are in the 12 lb. range. Traklite wheels. The wheels that came with the car as spares (#R98, very nice, but heavy) rode way too hard with the 205/45-17 runflats that came with it. But I think the heavier wheels are more detrimental on the R52 than the R53 because of the inherent reduction in structural rigidity.
