Hey guys so in the next 6 months or so I am looking to buy wheels for my Mini Cooper r50 2002 plate. My budget is £300 including tyres so what could I get for that? Any brand suggestions and any idea where to get them from I am based in Birmingham England.

 

You should not shop to an arbitrary budget ceiling.
Do you have 15", 16", or 17" wheels?

1). Figure out if you are shopping for all-season or dedicated summer/winter tires.
2). Find the absolutely best tires in each category by looking at the options and reading reviews here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Select...2&autoModClar=
3). Then buy the best tire that suits your needs. Usually, the cost difference between the best and the mediocre is not enough to warrant a second thought.

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That is not much of a budget. Roughly $510 US dollars for wheels and tires mounted and balanced.

I would think that you should save up for a larger budget or just get better tires to use with your current wheels.

It doesn't make sense to buy cheap wheels and very cheap or even used tires. If you care about how your MINI drives then focus first on tires.

What does your R50 have now? OEM 15x5.5" rims? If so they are fine, just get better tires. That should keep you in budget.

Usually in the UK you can get Continental Tires so look for-
ContiProContact Grand Touring All Season tires in 175/65-15 $99 each or 185/65-15 for $82 each, both sizes will fit and work with no rubbing.
400-500 treadwear, 16 lbs, the 175/65 size is low rolling resistance for good mpg. Grand Touring All Season tires work in dry or wet, cold or some snow, last longer than many summer tires and have a softer more comfortable ride but are not as crisp in handling.

If you have OEM 16" wheels then look for tires in 205/55-16 or 205/50-16 sizes.

 

Looks like ebay might be your best bet for 300 pounds. Should be able to find used OEM alloys and tires if you are lucky. But make sure they are round, not bent or buckled. I have bought a set of new 17' alloys for 350 pounds for my previous audi a2 (need replacement coz all of them were bent thanks to the potholes in yorkshire and the 205/40 rubber) But I was able to use my old set of tires.