I am not like the look and feel of the wheel and tire package on my 2017 Cooper JCW (205/40/ZR18 Nitto's came on the car).

I get that people like the look of a really low profile tire but the JCW challenge cars are running a higher profile tire on 17's (235's no less!!). The ride is too harsh with the 18's and the offset on the JCW rims is ridiculous - they are tucked so far in they all but disappear.

That being said, can anyone recommend a good, performance 17" wheel and tire combo for a JCW that's more beefy than a 205? I find that there is a lot out there for an S, but JCW brakes eliminate a lot of options for 17's.

 

I love the NM Engineering RSE-05 (https://neuspeedrswheels.com/product...31935769837681). Very light and well built. I've had mine for over three years and they still look brand new.

As for tires, it depends on your needs. I really like the Continental ExtremeContact Sport, but I recently ordered a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S.

 

Update on tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S transforms the car. I recently participated in an event in eastern KY over some very challenging roads and am now convinced the Michelins are well worth the cost. A lot of tires corner very well, but most still experience significant instability on hard acceleration ... the Michelins not only corner well, they stabilize the acceleration so full throttle application is possible. I love these tires ... the best I have had on the car yet.

 

That's exactly the combo I plan on getting for my F56 JCW once it gets here: NM Engineering RSE-05 with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. I had these tires on my F60 JCW. Driving dynamics were night and day. Super awesome in warm weather. I hated switching back to the heavy factory run-flats for winter.

As for tire size, I've been researching that people like upsizing to 215/45 vs the factory 205/45. I'd like to know if there's any rubbing or other fitment issues with stock suspension.

 

I'm curious about this too. 215/45 sounds like what I want as well.

 

Sorry for the late response, but there is no rubbing with this combination using 215s.

 

Just had these 17x8 et 38 Motegi MR148's installed with Firehawk 500 215/45's. Way better ride that the 18's and my tires are no longer hiding inside the fender wells. No mess, no fuss, no spacers.