Hy,

I am looking for a set of wheel/tire for my 2006 Mini Cooper S JCW.

I want to run the widest tire that I can without modification.

For the tires, the choice will be the kuhmo XS or the Hankook rs3.
I found a 225-45-15 or 225-45-17 at tire-rack.
For the rims size, I have the choice to run 17'' or is there some wheels in 15''
with enough space for my front caliper?
Is it possible to run a 8'' width on a R53 JCW?
What kind of Offset do I need to respect?

thank you very much for your help,

Nicolas

 

I believe you are limited to the stock sizes of tire and wheels in STX?

 

I think 2WD cars in STX are allowed any size wheel and up to 9" wide, but 9" probably won't fit the JCW without modification; maybe an 8" would be a hard fit as well.

I don't know about JCWs, so can't help much with tight fitments, but 15" wheels might not even clear the JCW calipers.

 

Here are 2 good threads that should help you out.

15's over R53 JCW/R56 MCS calipers

15 X 8 and 15x9 for an R53 JCW

Sorry it goes to Google results cause site was blocked.

 

Second URL is replaced by *'s... Shame

 

I saw in your gallery your Motegi traklite 2.0 on your Mini GP.Very nice
Which tire brand do you race and what is the size?

thanks

 

Sorry, guess NAM blocks any access to site, try to Google this term "15 X 8s for an R53? for track duty"
Nitto NT01 205/50-15 on 15x7 for Track days and occasional Auto-X.
Ironically, I just sold them last week to another GP owner but they are for his full race set-up Nissan Sentra? My plans are/were to go 15x8 949 Racing 6UL on 225/45-15 Toyo R888. But after reading above thread considering 15x9 6ULs with same tire.

 

I gonna do Auto-X this season in Street-Touring (STX) and occasional Time Attack race.
So I want the best set-up for Auto-X in terms of wheels/tires.
I read threads on 949 Racing 6UL, is it comparable (performance,weight) to the Enkei PF01 from your point of view?
I saw the SSR Wheels also, but it's really too expensive.
Do we need spacer to fit properly the 8 inches width?
In the Street-Touring category , I can't remove the fender flare, so I hope that we don't have to do some modifications in this case.

By the way, do you appreciate the Hawk pad, does it brake well?
Is there a brake ducting kit for the R53 to allow better fresh air to the disc?
I saw a kit on outmotoring for the regular bumper but not for my aero kit front bumper.

Again, I appreciate your precious knowledge!

 

Both wheels are identical in weight 12.8 pounds. I "assume" Enkie made that their target weight, since the 6UL is the only competitor for that type of wheel for the Miata market. There has been no known reported wheel failures for the 6UL, not even their 1st gen wheel which was 6 ounces lighter. That's impressive considering the wheels heavy motorports' use. According to their website they claimed to be the lightest 15x8 wheel currently in the market. I guess that was until late January when the PF01 15x8 got released, now they're tied. Lastly, the 6UL was chosen for the popular SuperMiata race series and the Miata Challenge TT series which gives it some sorta race pedigree, I guess. Some MINI owners have reported they needed a 3mm spacer, most have said they did not need any spacer?

SSR Comps 15x7.5 I am assuming? They have been discontinued for like 6 years. Before I got the Motegis I was gonna get a local used set of these rare 15x7.5 for $800 bucks (great price, considering that is what 2 wheels go for on SCCA forums) I made first contact and planned to go on weekend, but the guy sold them the next day, my fault I should have made the trip that minute to get the rims. Those 15x7.5s are lighter 9.1 pounds compared to the 9.6 pound 15x7 TrakLite 2s I got. Btw: I searched craigslist, eBay, NASA, SCCA, all MINI forums, Miata.net plus a few regional sites for over a year for those wheels, and they slipped through my fingers.

Hawk HP Plus are grabby I like them , they suck on track days. HP Plus more of an on-off feel. Now got Carbotech AX6 grabby but better modulation, they may get more grabby since they are somewhat new?

I have the WMW brake air ducts they are very similar to the former John Cooper Motorsport ones, I got them cause I got them really cheap used. Have not installed them yet. Also, checkout MINIMania ones, Sneed's are a really nice unit. The nicest ones I have seen are the MINI Motorsport German MINI Challenge series spec ones they have a larger silicon tube to caliper and a smaller diameter silicon tube to rotor. Someone wrote a term paper on brake air ducts fo the MINI check it out:http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...u8eR1Q&cad=rja

Check with the guys running 15x9s on 225/45-15 seems legal and like the ticket, fitment is only question, I guess. To bad there isn't something between 225 and 265 like a 245/40-15

Here is what the rules state:

14.3 TIRES
Tires must meet the eligibility requirements of the Stock category
(excluding 13.3.F), with the following additional restrictions:
A. Tires may have section widths up to and including the following:
ST, STS, STR (AWD) – 225 mm
STX (AWD), STU (AWD) – 245 mm
STR (2WD) – 255 mm
STX (2WD) – 265 mm
STU (2WD) – 285 mm

14.4 WHEELS
Any wheels are allowed with widths up to the following:
ST, STS, STR (AWD) – 7.5"
STX (AWD) – 8.0"
STX (2WD), STR (2WD) – 9.0"
STU – unlimited

E. Fenders may not be cut or flared but the inside lip may be rolled to
gain additional tire clearance. (The outer fender contour may not be
changed.) Flares that are part of body kits may be attached to the
stock fenders. Plastic and rubber wheel well splash shields may be
modified for tire clearance and to accommodate a rolled inside fender
lip. The intention is to permit fitting the maximum allowable tire size,
and the modifications may serve no other purpose (e.g. air intake,
brake ducts, etc.). No other changes to the stock fenders or wheel
wells are permitted.

Whew!

 

Here are the MINI Motorsport German MINI Challenge series spec brake air ducts, notice the 2 silicone tubes.

 

I love german Ingineering
My choice is done, I gonna get a set of 15x8 949 racing 6UL with 225-45-15 Hankook rs3!
I saw that you have kMac camber plates.
Wich stage do you have?
I don't want to change my jcw suspension, I saw on the KMac web site that it's compatible with stock suspension.
If I change next year my suspension for new coilover, can I keep the camber plates.
I checked for H-sport, vorshlag, Hotchkis wich is more expensive.
the goal is to set the camber easily on the track!
Could you help me?

 

I have stage 1, I like their stage 2 though. Wow, prices went up, alot. Both Vorshlag and H-Sport alow both oem and coil-overs with additional spring perch deal. The K-Mac allows oem or coils too you have to let them know of your intentions. With JCW suspension you won't get more than -2.4 camber, at least that's all mine went.