Hey everybody. I've decided my SUV days are over, and have selected a JCW Clubman for my next car. I stumbled across this excellent forum while searching for info on tires and wheels, but I couldn't find a good answer for my specific question, so here goes:

I just got notification from my dealer that there's an allocation available for me, and the next step is to finalize the order. I think I've got everything figured out pretty well, but I want to upgrade to 18" wheels and the $3100 price tag seems a bit steep. So here's the question:

Is there a reason to go with the MINI-sourced wheels/tires or would aftermarket be a better way to go?

Initially the pricing looks like about $2000 for the aftermarket wheels and tires, but then I would need a spare of some kind (aftermarket tires would not be runflats), tire pressure sensors, steering stops, etc. A rough estimate says I'd save maybe $200 - $400.

Any advice?

 

Don't go with the 18" wheels. The ride is going to be very harsh. I have an 06 JCW with 17" wheels, and the ride is right at my limit of toleration.

Get the standard 17" and tires. Use the tires until they wear out, and then go with aftermarket.

Many of us have a Dyna-Plug kit, and a Slime/Air Compressor kit in the boot in place of a spare.

 

^^Just run the stock wheels with run-craps until their worn out(or sell them) and get some lighter and cheaper aftermarket wheels.

 

Thanks, guys.

RE: ride, yeah, I know it'll be harsh. If your 17's are runflats, they'll probably be about as harsh as 18 non-runflats, eh? At least that's what I tell myself. Basically I want to optimize handling.

As for wearing out the first set, it's a company car and the way the deal works doesn't allow for any aftermarket kit down the road, it all has to be done up front.

If I went after market do you suppose anybody would buy the stock JCW 17's with the runflats?

 

Be careful. There are very few wheels that fit over the BBK on the Clubman. Be sure that if you buy them, they will fit.

I'm sure there would be people who might buy your wheels. Possibly me. Let me know.

 

Yeah, I spoke with TireRack. I'm looking at the O.Z. Ultraleggers 18x7. The guy said they're guaranteed to work with the MINI JCW, but they can't guarantee the Clubman JCW because they haven't measured one. The dealer claims the MINI and Clubman have the same front end and should work. Does that sound right to you?

And I'll keep you in mind if I go aftermarket.

 

That would be correct.

 

Slime doesn't work for sidewall punctures, right?

 

Nope but that's what MINI Roadside Assistance is for.

 

True, but out here in the great open west you're frequently out of cell range and a hundred miles or more from help. Note that this also makes for great driving.

 

Well, the Clubman's at the dealer (or close to it) and the new wheels are in the garage, so...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ct/2815/cat/46

 

And they're sold. Here they are heading to FedEx. I didn't consider aesthetics when packaging them...

 

The new unsprung weight :



18" OZ Ultraleggeras (7" width) with Yokohama S-Drives. So far no rubbing, so my MA was not quite correct when he told me I'd need the steering stops. Who knows, maybe if I was turning full lock through a deep gutter they might hit, but what are the odds of that?

 

you would only need steering stops with 8 inch wide wheels

 

Well it looks great, Congrats!