I just got a brand new 2006 mini cooper S and i am goin to get knew rims. Will 18 or 19s fit and do they make runflats in size 18 and if not whats the biggest size they make?

 

How r the roads where u live? If they're bad you probably don't want to go with bigger wheels or runflats. Many people have expressed that getting rid of the runflats was the best improvement they've made to the handling/ride of their MINI. If you search the forums you'll find that a lot of people with runflats on 17's (or bigger) end up getting "mushroomed" shocktowers.

 

youll need to get KONI fsd struts on all 4 wheels if you want to do anything like that ever.

 

First of all, Welcome to NAM and congrats on your new MINI and your first post! Read up 'cause there is a lot to learn and discuss about your MINI here.

Wheels are a tough choice. Some like to go big, and most would recommend only going to 18s, because of looks, ride comfort, and damage issues; and some like to go small with 15s because of the great ride, light weight for performance, and the classic look to fit the rest of the car. Of course 16s and 17s are the most popular.

There's nothing wrong with showing some tire meat!

You'll find most wheels for the MINI in the 17" range. 17x7 or 17x7.5 is just right. You can still put on runflats if u want, but weight and bad ride quality have made many MINI owners go to regular tires and just keep a flat fix kit in the car, or u can stash a small spare in the trunk, depending on your level of paranoia!


So start looking. I have tried to make a good list of wheel websites to browse. Here it is:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=70674

Good luck!

-Steve

 

Wow nice list!!!

Thanks for sharing!

 

Just keep in mind that this could be very dangerous in an accident if it's not secured in some way.

 

For the tire?

 

I live in Wisconsin, bad roads here. When I was looking for my MCS my sales guy at the dealership actually told me, "don't get 17 inch with run flats, you'll regret it".

I ended up getting a used 2003 with 17 Mini Lites, the run flats were all but shot so I replaced them with Michein Pilot Sport AS They are great tyres, for normal roads they handle much better then the Dunlop SP9000 it came with, and they work in the snow. I don't carry a spare or even a repair kit . I have not had a puncture on a car in 15 years, if it ever happens I'll just pay the tow fees. If you keep your tyres at the right pressure and don't ride over the curbs, there is no reason a modern tyre should fail.