I Just got a 2002 cooper no S or any mods. I want to put 18in wheels on but after reading all this i dont know it they will work. I dont plan on lowering it but i do want to drive it daily.

 

215/35/18 with an offset 42 or higher!

Alex

 

thanks alex.
My tire guys will like that you work for tirerack. They often quet you guys.
what size 18 is that thou. 7 or 7.5

 

I would absolutely not consider 18" wheels for a daily driver. You are almost guaranteed to have problems unless the roads in your area are in pristine condition. You cannot be careful enough, you will have problems.

Good luck with your Cooper!

 

Love my 18"s....
Can't wait to change back over to them when this Ohio winter breaks

 

18x7" or 18x7.5" are both fine.
215/35-18 tires will fit rims from 7 to 8.5" wide with a perfect fit for 7.5" rims.

While 18" rims look nice, they also tend to be heavy and if light then expensive.
At tirerack.com some examples-
SSR GT1 18x7.5" $259 each 17 pounds et+40mm!
SSR comp 18x7.5 $459 each 14 pounds et+42mm
O.Z. Chrono Evolution 18x7" $219 each 19 pounds et+42mm
O.Z. Superleggera 18x7" $350 each 17.6 pounds et+42mm

Also some less expensive but heavier rims at edgeracing.com

If you are careful and don't hit the potholes and bumps at higher speeds then you might do OK with strong forged wheels and non runflat tires.

For an MC you don't have a lot of power so the heavy wheels are not going to help with acceleration. If you can keep the rim weight under 20 pounds you'd be doing OK.