Winter 205/40r18s? Or just swap the wheels for winter?
Have a bit of a conundrum on my hands:
Bought a ‘23 Cooper S with the 18” Union Jack wheels. Love them, but the tires that came with are runflat (which I appreciate and would like to keep, as this car has no doughnut spare). The problem: I live in VT and you can’t get by without Winter-specific tires after late October. Runflats are expensive and this size/type isn’t manufactured by my go-to (Nokian Nordmans are my usual, and I love ‘em). The question: Should I just buy the Runflats recommended by the dealership (but obv not through them), OR investigate switching for the winter? There’s not a whole lot of clearance between my tire and the wheel well, so a standard tire might not even fit. Can I reduce the wheel size and just get a smaller set of rims for winter? thanks in advance. |
I would heartily recommend getting a second set of wheels and tires for winter use. Being a Cooper S, you could probably go down to 16" wheels for winter. Tires will be MUCH less expensive in that size.
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I second the opinion for a second set of winter wheels. A no brainer for Vermont, for sure!
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Another vote for 2nd set of wheels for winter.
My R50 Cooper in Minnesota has a second set of matching white "holies" with mounted Blizzak WS-60's Sure makes all the difference when the big flakes fly! |
The OP has a 2023 Cooper S with front brake calipers too large to fit small diameter MINI wheels like those that fit a 2005 R 50 base Cooper.
However the theory is sound and will work provided you get the right wheels. Checking with tirerack.com for a new Cooper S that comes with 18" wheels it seems they offer- 17x7" et 35 Borbet Type F wheels in black and silver painted This will fit 205/45-17 tires which for snow could include: Vredestein Wintrac Pro $157 each Tirerack test result: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=284 Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 $161 each Tirerack test result: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=181 Yokohama Bluearth Winter V905 $156 each |
If you have an "S" hardtop, can't you fit 16" wheels. Aren't there good winter tires in 195/55 x16?
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OK, so the first search I did on tirerack.com was for a 2023 MINI JCW and the results above were all that were offered.
Then I searched for 2023 MINI Cooper S and I now got: 12 wheels in 16x6.5 et 43-54 range Tiresizes 185/55-16 (tire diam. 24") Michelin X-Ice Snow tire $165 each, Perfect fit for 6" wide rim but will fit up to 6.5" wide rim OK. 87 load rated 195/55-16 Blizzak WS90 (Studless ice and snow tire) $156 each Tirerack test result- https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=263 205/50-16 205/55-16 (tire diam. 24.8") Michelin X-Ice Snow tire $165 each, perfect fit for 6.5" wide rim, 94 XL load rated 225/50-16 These are all possible. More narrow tire sizes may handle more snow depth. |
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