I currently run on 16" Dunlop Runflats and was thinking of buying and upgrading to a set of the 17" Dunlops for my '02 Cooper. Will this size run ok on the Cooper (Non-S)?
Just Wondering.

Chris

 

17" Dunlops...? You already have 17" wheels?


Size wise, no problem, just need to keep it within spec:

17x7 or 17x7.5
+42 to +50mm offset
205/45/17 tires (215/45/17 or 215/40/17 will also work +48-50mm ofset)
run a quick search and you'll see the selections people use. :smile:

 

For the MC the basic problem is weight. Although the 17" rims and tires look nice you'd be adding roughly 2 or 3 pounds more for each wheel. The MC doesn't have an excess of power so when you drive you'd be a bit bogged down. If you are just cruising around then it doesn't matter.

Another problem is if you want to run 17" runflat tires the ride quality will be rougher than with the 16" runflats. I'd suggest 17" non runflats and some reasonably light 17 rims about 17 to 20 pounds is OK. Edgeracing.com and tirerack.com both have a large selection of rims that will fit the MINI.

Your MC will technically fit the 17" rim with runflats so that is not a problem both with stock suspension and with lowered springs (just watch that the offset is not too extreme).

 

with in spec?????? there is no spec


chris

 

He's talking about what needs to be met in order for the tire/wheel combo to work properly. The right overall diameter is required in order to keep the speedometer correct(this is achieved with the correct tire dimensions), and the right offset is necessary to avoid rubbing, or possibly not clearing the brakes. Most people refer to that as spec.

 

I'm pretty sure that just about anything that will fit on an S will fit on a Non-S (tire/wheel size wise).

 

Yes, any stock MC can fit any stock MCS wheel given stock brakes and suspension and vice versa.

Any MINI with a big brake kit could need spacers to fit certain stock 17" wheels. Many of the smaller stock wheels will not fit the bigger calipers.

Any aftermarket rims of approx the same size/width, wheel offset, bolt pattern and outer diameter as a stock wheel will fit any MINI with stock brakes. Wheel offset limits are reduced by lowering your MINI.

 

then yes....you can run a 17in on a mini cooper even a 20in if you really felt like it. bridgestone and nitto both have 225/30/20 tires out for sport compacts.

wierd

chris

 

IMHO is not much of an upgrade for a MINI Cooper. I had both 15 and 17 inch rims, and today did a MINI driving school on the 15s.
My 17 inch rims and tires weighed almost 50lbs each and you can really feel a difference in the steering feedback, etc.

Though I need alot of practice, I was on a couple of better laps, catching up to and passing Cooper S cars with 17 inch rims!! Yep, the Cooper on 15s could go almost as fast. (It surprised me too) I think that the 16 inch wheels are a very good comprimise for both street and track driving. BTW, my brakes, which are stock, did exceptionally well, and didn't fade or exhibit any overheating troubles. This, with repeated braking from 70+ mph down to about 30 over twenty five minute track sessions. The coil-over suspension made a big difference, and that, I think is probably the best investment one can make to help their MINI go faster, faster!