Taking delivery of an 06 MCS JCW cabrio with 18 inch black wheels. Very cool looking black wheels that go with the car's look but are they really too hard riding (they have runflats) compared to 16 or 17 inch runflats? What about handling? If I get rid of the tire/wheel combo I would probably go for 16 inch wheels with non-runflats, but I'd give up the whole jcw look. How much comfort and handling am I giving up by keeping the jcw wheels?

 

Just change the 18" runflat tires, would be the best option and you can keep your bling..

Also, go for a 215/40/18, if you do not have plans to lower the car ever.

 

You can keep the JCW 18" wheels and change to non runflat tires.

Keep the stock shocks or consider Koni FSD shocks.

If you use non runflats and want maximum performance, good street ride and have a bigger budget for tires then consider-
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R in 225/40-18 fits rims 7.5-9" wide, 25.1" outer tire diam. 25 lbs $184 each
Test results (excellent!)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=71


Possible sizes for 18" rims (check your rim width for best fit)
215/35-18 fits 7-8.5" wide rims 23.9" outer tire diam.
225/35-18 fits 7.5-9" wide rims 24.2" outer tire diam.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Gs-D3 for $198
215/40-18 fits 7-8.5" wide rims 24.7" outer tire diam.
225/40-18 fits 7.5-9" wide rims 25.1" outer tire diam.
235/35-18 fits 8-9.5" wide rims 24.5" outer tire diam.

in 225/40-18
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position $180 each (get the right 050A)
140 treadwear Y speed rated 25 lbs
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 $229
220 treadwear Y speed rated 21 lbs
See tests (all great tires for handling)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=50
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 $184
280 treadwear Y speed rated 24 lbs

In this same size are many UHP summer tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true

 

If you want more comfort and don't mind a little less performance (but still quite decent) and good value consider-

General Exclaim UHP (Ultra HP Summer tires)
215/35-18 $85 each Y speed rated 18 lbs
225/40-18 $81 each W speed rated 21 lbs

This would be a good tire for an MC or any Cabrio.

 

Koni FSD shocks would also help with comfort.

 

Hey Minihune, I have been watching your posts....you seem to be on top of the wheel and tire threads. . Maybe you can help me. I'm trying to figure out if 215/40/18's will fit on my R56 without any issues? I'm looking at some oz ultraleggera's or Konig feathers to go with them. Tire rack said they were not sure if they were too tall or not. thanks in advance

 

OSUmcs,

The 215/40-18 is only slightly taller than stock sized at 24.8" compared to about 24.3" for stock.

If you have stock suspension it should not be any problem.

215/40-18 fits rims 7-8.5" wide with perfect fit on rim 7.5" wide, section width is about 8.6" compared to 8.1" for the stock tire (it's width of the tire at widest) which is OK.

At Tirerack (try talking to Alex)
in 215/40-18 in Ultra High Performance Summer tires:
BF Goodrich g-Force Sport $133 each 340 treadwear W speed rated 23 lbs
Kumho Ecsta SPT $108 each 320 treadwear Y speed rated 23 lbs

Comparison of customer ratings for that size in UHP summer tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true
(Dot on left is for tires that come in 215/40-18)

If you want a smooth riding street tire with very good value to fit your 18" rim then consider
General Exclaim UHP
215/35-18 $85 each 380 tread Y speed rated 18 lbs 23.9" tire diam. (slightly smaller than stock)
This 35 series tire may still be comfortable enough for daily driving on smooth roads but if your road are potholed and rough then 40 series might be safer.
225/40-18 $81 each 380 tread W speed rated 21 lbs 25.1" tire diam. (taller than stock by 0.8"- but at the upper limit to still fit)
Tirerack tests-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...lay.jsp?ttid=4
Seems to get better customer ratings than the tirerack test would suggest. Kumho SPT did well in the test. Exclaim a bit better with wet handling vs dry.

 

I wouldn't go below a 17" rim. Remember that part of the so called "bling" is a larger set of brakes. I think there's only one 16" wheel that will fit over those.

 

hello minihune,
above you state "If you have stock suspension it should not be a problem."

well, i have a r56 with factory sports suspension with 18" wheels.

would your above recommendations of 215/40/18 be a problem with the factory sports suspension.

i have been told my best option would be 215/35/18
thanks

 

215/35-18 will fit fine and at 24" be less than stock tire diameter.
This is good for fitment but a little rougher on ride quality compared to the 215/40-18. Cost and weight of the tire might vary a bit as well.

Factory sports suspension is a stock suspension option and would be fine with either tire size.

If you look at 215/35-18 in Ultra HP Summer tires at tirerack.com:
General Exclaim UHP $85 380 treadwear 18 lbs
BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW2 $158 300 treadwear 26 lbs
Bridgestone Potenza RE750 $162 340 treadwear 22 lbs
BF Goodrich g-Force Sport $129 340 treadwear 20 lbs
Kumho Ecsta SPT $96 320 treadwear 20 lbs
Avon Tech M500 $99 280 treadwear 22 lbs
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 $109 300 treadwear 21 lbs

I would expect that the General Exclaim UHP to be best value and fairly smooth riding even in 215/35-18.
Kumho Ecsta SPT also good value and moderately good comfortable ride.

 

I just pulled the trigger and ordered the AXIS CRUX 18"x7.5 (42 offset). Now I am trying to decide between the 2 tires above. I will have stock suspension and I ride alone 99% of the time on the freeway with very little bump. I think the 225/40-18 will give me a better ride and value.

I am just wondering how bad is rubbing if I have to carry two 200lb coworkers out to lunch occasionally? Is it going to make a horrible screeching sound all the way to Taco Bell 2 miles away? Or is it just a few rubbing sound going over the speed bumps in the parking lot?

 

Both tire sizes will fit a MINI with stock suspension. Clearance will be less with the taller 225/40-18. If you are carrying more load then just drive slower, 2 miles isn't that far.

Both sizes will be fairly comfortable given the right tire like General Exclaim UHP. If you choose another tire in 225/40-18 then you need to check out ride comfort and noise for that tire. 225/40-18 will fill the wheel gap a little better and be wider. They both are about the same price so they are both good values.

You don't need that much weight as 400 pounds to get some scrapping and rubbing in the rear with any tire that is larger than stock. I have one passenger about 115 pounds in the rear and my 24.7" tall 215/45-17 tires will rub a little in the back whether with a 1" drop from H-sport springs which I replaced with 1.5" drop using Bilstein PSS9 coilovers.