I just purchased a Copper s, and i ask the sales person that i want to upgrade to 18 in tires and wheels, he said don't do it because it will affect the handling of the car, my mini has the Sport Pack and the Hyper Sport pack is any one knows if this is true?

 

Yeah, It will affect the handling. It will handle much better!!!!!

 

You ought to tell the sales person to get a job that matches his skill/knowledge level. He obviously doesn't know a thing about cars !

 

Hmmm.....ask him why all the factory JCW wheels are 18s.......

 

do you have to put on steering limiters if you run 18s?

 

I believe so. At least with the JCW ones.

 

The factory recommends it, but I don't have them with my 18" R105s, and I've never had any contact, even at full lock.

 

Flow Mini of Winston-Salem, NC put the steering limiters on when I put 17" S-Lites on my Cooper.

 

paco3,

Aloha and welcome to NAM.

Overall comfort for street driving will be about the same as 17" wheels and runflats.

Cornering and handling will be similar or better depending on your driving tendencies/skill level.

Overall risk of damage to tires and wheels will be slightly higher if your roads are not very smooth. Potholes would be the highest risk to cause trouble so always watch for them and don't hit any going fast.

OEM 18" wheels and tires are quite expensive and you seldom get much credit for the stock wheels or tires unless you sell them yourself.

One option is to take delivery of the MINI with stock 16" wheels or if you get 17"s by your options then keep or sell them (winter tires). Then buy OEM 18" rims using your MINI or BMW club discount 10% or more off then add your own choice of non runflats.

 

Thanx I'm getting the 18" black JCW for $1900. Should I be suspicious. Rims and runflats. I think they list on MINIUSA for $2700


Kirby Kuromi- 07MCSa|BRG/B|Cold-Convenience-HyperSport -Sport|F/R fogs|White turn sigs|Anthracite headliner/grey colorline/brush alloy|Punch Carbon Leather|Hi-Fi|
Multi Func.Wheel|iPOD|18" Black JCW rims|2" shorty antennae
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NOT SOON ENOUGH!

 

18's will handle better? I've never known someone to choose 18's for handling. The extra inch doesn't offer many positive gains besides looking good (to some people)....it simply adds weight and distributes the weight further from the hub. 16's are a good choice if handling is your main goal.

 

My 2004 Cooper S (with performance upgrades) has 215 X 35ZR X 18 Nitto Gen tires with Racing Hart rims. The car handles like a race car.....glued to the pavement!! Go for it!

RichS