I am not a runflat fan and depending upon what driving conditions I am expecting usually switch them out on all of my vehicles for standard tires. For general driving conditions I like the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s. They are a great all around tire that handles well in most driving conditions. I carry a VIAIR 12 volt compressor and a Dynaplug kit as well as an 18 oz. can of Slime as a just in case alternative. If it is a catastrophic failure I will call roadside assistance and wait. For track events I will switch them out for soft rubber runflats. Runflats are noisy and stiff by their construction and purpose.

 

I know I'm in the minority here with wanting 17in rims, but I'm considering an F56 JCW that is lowered an inch and I'm wondering if anyone has tried the 17in 7.5 wide rims from NM Engineering? (my first post, I can't post links, sorry)

Look to be .5in wider than stock and claim to clear the calipers. I'm wondering if with that 1in drop will 215 fit without any rubbing issues. Thx.

 

I thought I would resurrect this thread as I have been debating tires and now maybe wheels since my original posts. I added the JCW PRO exhaust and the NM power module and turned the new toy into quite the beast! With the increase in wheel horsepower and torque I have decided that the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s are not grippy enough for me. I really like the Pilot Super Sports and would like to go to a 225 width tire. I would prefer to avoid wheel spacers and I have the 18 cup wheels now which are OK, but I wonder if an aftermarket 18"wheel is available with built in spacers, eliminating the need for wheel spacers. I am also considering spacers and keeping the cup wheel and maybe going with the 215 width tires. I little less protrusion this way and maybe sparing some paint dings from road debris.

 

I would keep the alloys and go 225/35 or 225/40 super sports and just put the lowest spacer possible on, I'm putting 225/40 on mine I think with 10mm spacers all around, like the wider stance it gives


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

For those looking for aftermarket wheels for the JCW or something to clear the JCW Big Brake kit, NM Engineering now has them in 17 and 18 inch versions. They have JCW in the item description, ECS Tuning has them on their website but they're probably available from other sources.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2015-Cooper-F56-S-3_Door-B48A20A/Wheels/Aftermarket_Alloys/

 

For those looking for aftermarket wheels for the JCW or something to clear the JCW Big Brake kit, NM Engineering now has them in 17 and 18 inch versions. They have JCW in the item description, ECS Tuning has them on their website but they're probably available from other sources.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2015-Cooper-F56-S-3_Door-B48A20A/Wheels/Aftermarket_Alloys/

As much as I love the 18" cup spoke wheels, "if" I ever go with a tire wider than 215/40/18 I will not stay with the 7" rim width, as that is simply too narrow for 225 or 235 tires.


I've learned much since starting this thread a long time ago. I'd say NM has the best after market wheels so far to fit the JCW "without spacers". Time will tell if more manufacturers jump in. I'm still waiting on BBS, but they can be "pricey"!


Of course the 235/35/18 tire has the exact same OD as the stock 205/40/18, but that tire width just may be too much on these cars. Assuming they will clear everything, the lower body shape at the wheel openings has a lot of inward curvature, thus exposing the doors and the rear bumper cover excessively imo, without mudflaps. The stock wheels "barely" tuck inside the wheel opening at the bottom - maybe this is one reason MINI went with the 205's to begin with?


As for me, I'd probably go with 215/40/18's on my cup spoke wheels, when my run flats wear down...by then some of you will have better experience with various tires too! So far, I've refrained from changing my JCW from factory stock...time will tell I suppose!


John

 

I can confirm the NM Engineering wheels (in 17x7.5in) fit my 2015 JCW that is lowered ~1in with JCWPro coilovers on 215/45/17 summer tires:

http://www.nm-eng.com/345/0/0/3249/nm880503g-nm-eng-rse05-17-light-weight-wheel.html

I ordered directly from NM, but wherever you order from, make sure you pay special attention to which rims you order as there are two versions of the RSe05... one that clears the MCS, and another that clears the JCW.

 

That looks awesome! Fills in the wheel arches nicely. I'm considering the 18" JCW RSe12 in Satin Black but I really wish they made a 17" in the same style. The JCW Brake kit is on the wish list but I've held off due to a lack of wheels that would fit over it.

 

Time for the old dremel tool!

 

After seeing the pictures that's my thought. Shave down the inside of the wheel arch until the tire clears and then a little extra just in case you ever have someone else in the car or in the backseat. If you only do the inner part where it rubs it shouldn't be noticeable from the outside.

 

I will just stick with stock 205/40, 18s until after this season's runs and I have basically worn out the run flats. I really do want a better performing, smoother, grippier, and quieter riding tire.

 

Sorry for the delay - either dremel or let it wear down - you're not removing enough meat from the shoulder to cause any actual issues. I just let mine wear down as every time I nailed it with the dremel there were other spots rubbing. Check further down the wheel arch - I found in the rear mine rub near the bottom as well under heavy cornering.

 

What wheels/tires/suspension are you running and how lowered are you?

It's definitely better, but I rubbed a tiny bit on my commute through a corner with a bump. I'll test some more. But this is with no weight in the car other than me. *gulp*

For some reason I was a little more conservative with the dremel on the Driver side of the car.....obviously that's where I rubbed and am going to rub with my driver weight constantly in the car. I'll do some more dremeling there.

Question for those who have dremeled before... is there a way to mark the tire and have it put a mark (chalk?) on the fender where it rubs so I know exactly where to dremel? Ideas?

 

All dat rear camber

 

You misunderstand - I DID rub (the Re-71R in 225 runs an actual 240mm shoulder to shoulder), but I let nature find it's way as I was rubbing in multiple spots. As I mentioned in my fitment thread - this is not for the faint of heart, but this is also not my first super aggressive wheel/tire combo and I don't get scared by rub. You can tell when it's "OH **** THIS IS RUBBING ON IMPORTANT THINGS" vs rubbing on plastic. I don't think you will rub through the felt - it has a fair amount of give to it and allows for some substantial reshaping. I am running significantly firmer spring rates if you're running the stock JCW Pro set up so I have less movement, but you will eventually stop rubbing as your set up finds the last little spots and knicks them away. You will know immediately if you rub on something important, it isn't the swishing noise, it'll be a loud thunk/squeal/etc. If you have none of that, monitor on oil changes and worse case replace your felt now and then. (IIRC it is very inexpensive)

 

OK, gotcha. The JCW Pro is a great aggressive street setup for my liking, balancing comfort and handling, so definitely more movement than your setup. And def not rubbing on hard parts. I'll monitor, just unnerving at the moment as a first timer with rubbing. thx.

 

Good thread.
I have a question. Im looking at NM alpha lowering springs on my jcw (i get it in may) and 215/40r18s.
Id like to avoid any rubbing or trimming of pannels to fit or having to use spacers... its not too late for me to change my tire order to 205.
Any thoughts or suggestions here?
Cheers

 

There have been some real good threads on the northamericanmotoring.com forum on the subjects of wheels, tires, lowering, rubbing, etc. I'd suggest you take a look.

I'm no expert, but I've read almost all of these threads, especially relating to the F56 JCW. My bet is you won't have a rubbing issue with 215/40's on stock JCW 18" cup spoke wheels, "as long as" you don't lower too extreme! With the JCW Pro lowering kit you'll probably be fine...I'd go with adjustable coilovers if I ever lower my JCW....maintaining flexibility/adjustability is key imo. The kind of tire you run might also make a difference. Measure the clearance from the strut in stock form & add about 5mm to see potential clearance with the 215's.

Lots of variables, so there is no easy short answer.

Good Luck,

John

 

I am just curious to ask, does it affect the mileage of the car if we change Tyre from original Factory ones?

 

Hello.
What did you finally do? Did you go for another size of tires?
I also have a JCW 2016 and the 205 40 18 seem too narrow. And the city I live in (potholes) have damaged front tires (4 alraday) So I was thinking on installing 215 40 18
Any feed back?

 

I'm running 215/40/18 Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+. No problems with ANY rubbing. And it actually looks like it should be on the rims, not those 205's that come on the wheels.

 

Just out of interest, what PSI do you run in the tyres? This is the option I was looking at but I presume the OE pressures for run flats are way too high?

 

I have the identical setup as Ghostrider, and I am now on set #3 of the Pilot Sport A/S 3+s. I started with the Pilot Sport A/S 3s after a huge knot appeared in the sidewall of the OEM Dunlops after a hard run on the Tail of the Dragon. Fortunately for me Michelin Onsite was at the MOTD and they had a set of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3's for me the next day. This was the predecessor tire to the A/S 3+. They were a good tire, but were not grippy enough for me and the +s helped. Still, not as good as the MPSSs, but decent enough for non track use and they are in my opinion the best all season tire available for the mini. I rarely track this mini, but I sure do take it twisting a lot. I am on set #4 now of the A/S series now with over 40,000 miles. I hope to get a GP when they are offered and I may stay with the OEMs unless they are Dunlops as I have had two bad experiences with them and I am not going to give them another chance. I like Pirellis, but they wear faster than the Michelins in my experiences, Continentals are also an excellent tire, but have not worn as well as the Michelins in my past uses of them. If the GP comes standard with the Dunlops on the GP I will swap them out for MPSSs before I drive the car and see if I can sell them with no wear to someone who can use them. I had forgotten about this ancient thread, it is good to see it resurrected!

 

I run 36 all around, and yes I feel the OE pressures are way too high!!! LOL

 

For those of you running 215 tyres on the 18” cup wheels. Do the 215’s offer better kerb protection than the standard 205 runflats? I’m due to pickup my new Cooper S next week, with the 18” JCW cup alloys and I’m already having nightmares about kerbing them!