Characteristics of 17” vs 18”
#1
04-26-2018, 09:38 AM
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Characteristics of 17” vs 18”
Hope I can some good insight as I’m stuck between two options for new wheels/tires for a 2013 Gp2. I’m pretty much set on the NM RSe05’s (17x7.5 ET45) but am having trouble deciding between 17 and 18” (also between the stick 215/40 vs 215/45. Suspension is on stock settings and doubt I’d even lower it, but if I ever did it would be similar to a nm spring drop which I believe is 1.2” drop.
Im in jersey so potholes are pretty bad so I do understand the firmer/rougher ride with 18’s but aside from possibly cornering traction how is the handling? What I don’t want is for the Mini to...well not feel like a Mini. I will be lighter than stock with the 17 and 18, and new tires will finally get rid of the runflats so I know I’ll see an improvement there. I don’t take it to the track but I do love the go kart like feel of the GP, especially in the twistes.
I don’t want 18”s just for the look (which I do like) if they don’t actually have some advantage in drivability I’ll stick with 17. I know the original GP had 18’s and I couldn’t find out the reason the GP2 went to 17.
Any input is greatly appreciated and I’d suspect my options are down to:
215/40/17
215/45/17
215/40/18
215/45/18 (not sure if these would rub)
i know tire choices could matter with each choice also so id appreciate any info there also.
Thanks in advance
Im in jersey so potholes are pretty bad so I do understand the firmer/rougher ride with 18’s but aside from possibly cornering traction how is the handling? What I don’t want is for the Mini to...well not feel like a Mini. I will be lighter than stock with the 17 and 18, and new tires will finally get rid of the runflats so I know I’ll see an improvement there. I don’t take it to the track but I do love the go kart like feel of the GP, especially in the twistes.
I don’t want 18”s just for the look (which I do like) if they don’t actually have some advantage in drivability I’ll stick with 17. I know the original GP had 18’s and I couldn’t find out the reason the GP2 went to 17.
Any input is greatly appreciated and I’d suspect my options are down to:
215/40/17
215/45/17
215/40/18
215/45/18 (not sure if these would rub)
i know tire choices could matter with each choice also so id appreciate any info there also.
Thanks in advance
#2
04-26-2018, 01:39 PM
OK, 2013 JCW GP2 was special model
OEM wheels were 17x7.5 et45 R136 which was wider than other 17" MINI wheels, so yes you can mount wider tire sizes but also OEM sizes.
Anytime you get a shorter sidewall like 40 series vs 45 series you risk a stiffer more jarring ride but also possibly more responsive handling with turns.
With a pothole ridden road system you have to decide what is more important, to worry about road hazzards and drive defensively while dodging holes that can crop up and live with possible damage to your tires, wheels and suspension? Or not have to worry as much, but still be aware to be careful.
You do not have to stay with OEM 215/40-17 as this isn't a common tire size and selection is very limited vs 215/45-17 which offers much better choices from summer to All Season tires.
225/45-17 is tall at 24.9" tire diam. but fits the wheels and suspension.
A good example would be-
Michelin Pilot Super Sport $136 each closeout, 300 treadwear, Max Summer tire
Normally for 18" wheels on a MINI you have:
205/40-18 tire diam. 24.5"
215/40-18 tire diam. 24.8"
205/45-18 no tires available at tirerack in this size
215/45-18 has tire diam. of 25.6" or over 1" taller than OEM.
225/40-18 might be possible if your wheel is at least 7.5" wide, but not a good fit for 18x7" wheel. Tire diam. is tall at 25.0". But could fit with stock suspension.
The difference in handling and performance has more to do with which tire you select than the wheel and tire size. So a great tire in 17" will beat a bad tire in whatever 18" wheel/tire fitment.
Generally you add cost to 18" wheels and tires vs similar in 17" sizes. 18" also can add more weight unless you pay more to keep weight down.
OEM wheels were 17x7.5 et45 R136 which was wider than other 17" MINI wheels, so yes you can mount wider tire sizes but also OEM sizes.
Anytime you get a shorter sidewall like 40 series vs 45 series you risk a stiffer more jarring ride but also possibly more responsive handling with turns.
With a pothole ridden road system you have to decide what is more important, to worry about road hazzards and drive defensively while dodging holes that can crop up and live with possible damage to your tires, wheels and suspension? Or not have to worry as much, but still be aware to be careful.
You do not have to stay with OEM 215/40-17 as this isn't a common tire size and selection is very limited vs 215/45-17 which offers much better choices from summer to All Season tires.
225/45-17 is tall at 24.9" tire diam. but fits the wheels and suspension.
A good example would be-
Michelin Pilot Super Sport $136 each closeout, 300 treadwear, Max Summer tire
Normally for 18" wheels on a MINI you have:
205/40-18 tire diam. 24.5"
215/40-18 tire diam. 24.8"
205/45-18 no tires available at tirerack in this size
215/45-18 has tire diam. of 25.6" or over 1" taller than OEM.
225/40-18 might be possible if your wheel is at least 7.5" wide, but not a good fit for 18x7" wheel. Tire diam. is tall at 25.0". But could fit with stock suspension.
The difference in handling and performance has more to do with which tire you select than the wheel and tire size. So a great tire in 17" will beat a bad tire in whatever 18" wheel/tire fitment.
Generally you add cost to 18" wheels and tires vs similar in 17" sizes. 18" also can add more weight unless you pay more to keep weight down.
#3
04-27-2018, 04:26 AM
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Thank you for the very detailed response, I never even considered 225 width. Kudos for the Tirerack sale for the PSS, that is a great price. It feels very tight by the rear shock so I wasn’t sure if I could go wider than 215.
I agree about the potholes, the stock 215/40 aren’t horrible as I’m used to a stiff ride, but the runflats definitely have to go. It would be smart to have bit of extra meat for the ones I couldn’t avoid.
I think I’m leading toward the 17”s as it’s almost a four pound weight reduction per wheel and like you said, more tire choices.
i just wanted to do my due diligence before purchasing new wheels, and being both the 17 and 18 nm wheels are lighter than OEM I figured it was worth exploring both sizes.
Do you think you could feel a difference between, let’s say a 215/40/17 vs a 215/45/18? I’m just curious about if the “meat” was similar in the sidewall and weight was similar could you feel a difference (good or bad) vs the two sizes. I love the nimbleness if the Mini and that’s important to keep
I agree about the potholes, the stock 215/40 aren’t horrible as I’m used to a stiff ride, but the runflats definitely have to go. It would be smart to have bit of extra meat for the ones I couldn’t avoid.
I think I’m leading toward the 17”s as it’s almost a four pound weight reduction per wheel and like you said, more tire choices.
i just wanted to do my due diligence before purchasing new wheels, and being both the 17 and 18 nm wheels are lighter than OEM I figured it was worth exploring both sizes.
Do you think you could feel a difference between, let’s say a 215/40/17 vs a 215/45/18? I’m just curious about if the “meat” was similar in the sidewall and weight was similar could you feel a difference (good or bad) vs the two sizes. I love the nimbleness if the Mini and that’s important to keep
#4
04-27-2018, 04:22 PM
Weight isn't something that you will feel when driving unless you change speeds, accelerate hard or brake hard, then it helps. The bigger the difference in weight the more you can feel it.
Tire sizes aren't as crucial as which tire you choose, a better tire is good in many sizes so I would not be as concerned between 215/40-17 and 215/45-18. However as before, tire selection is not good in 215/40-17 and 215/45-18 is very tall in tire diameter.
Tire sizes aren't as crucial as which tire you choose, a better tire is good in many sizes so I would not be as concerned between 215/40-17 and 215/45-18. However as before, tire selection is not good in 215/40-17 and 215/45-18 is very tall in tire diameter.
#5
05-07-2018, 08:55 AM
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Just a quick update. I ended up going with the Michelin Pilot Super Sports in 215/45/17 on the stock wheels. I figured just by getting rid of the run flats and trying a regular tire would be an improvement for now. I’m only two days in but my far too early impressions are as follows.
The good: the car defiantly grips better and feels much more grounded in turns and on take off. The ride is smoother and slightly quieter. Potholes/bumps are definite improvement.
The bad: on highway speeds it’s almost a task to just go straight, the car seems a bit more squirrelly. Nothing crazy but I noticed it a lot. The tires “appear” to have less width but I think that’s an eye trick due to the shape of the tire. I’m not sure if the loose straight line feel is due to the increased sidewall, tire compound or because the car sits a bit higher now. I’d suspect it isn’t because if the increased sidewall.
Im thinking it’s also possible I might be best suited for some suspension tweaks with these new tires. I can always drop the coilovers a bit to compensate for the sidewall increase, but I wonder if camber adjustment is needed also.
I actually ended up parking next to a R56 with BF Goodrich sport comp 2 in 215/45/17 and it’s crazy how much different the cars looked from the back, it almost appeared he had a whole extra inch in width, but again I think it was the eye trick as his tires were more square shaped.
the car is more fun to drive now either way and I look forward to seeing how they continue to preform as the miles add up
The good: the car defiantly grips better and feels much more grounded in turns and on take off. The ride is smoother and slightly quieter. Potholes/bumps are definite improvement.
The bad: on highway speeds it’s almost a task to just go straight, the car seems a bit more squirrelly. Nothing crazy but I noticed it a lot. The tires “appear” to have less width but I think that’s an eye trick due to the shape of the tire. I’m not sure if the loose straight line feel is due to the increased sidewall, tire compound or because the car sits a bit higher now. I’d suspect it isn’t because if the increased sidewall.
Im thinking it’s also possible I might be best suited for some suspension tweaks with these new tires. I can always drop the coilovers a bit to compensate for the sidewall increase, but I wonder if camber adjustment is needed also.
I actually ended up parking next to a R56 with BF Goodrich sport comp 2 in 215/45/17 and it’s crazy how much different the cars looked from the back, it almost appeared he had a whole extra inch in width, but again I think it was the eye trick as his tires were more square shaped.
the car is more fun to drive now either way and I look forward to seeing how they continue to preform as the miles add up
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