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Where can technical information on wheels and tires be found?

For everything you wanted to know about wheels and tires, but were afraid to ask:


The Tire Rack - technical pages


Contact FAQ Custodian


What are the bolt pattern, centerbore and offsets for wheels?

The bolt pattern is 4x100mm.

The centerbore is 56.1mm.

The offset (ET) can range from 35mm to 52mm depending on the wheel size, as detailed in the FAQs on factory and aftermarket wheel availability.


The Tire Rack - technical pages


Contact FAQ Custodian


What original equipment wheels and tires are available?
The following wheels and tires are available either as factory equipment or dealer fitted accessories:


15" SIZE


15" x 5.5" alloys [except R12] fitted with 175/65 tires:

Yeoda

R12 steel wheel (with hubcap) ET45 14.8lb (6.7kg) [silver only]


eddie_DV52_CCZ

R81 7-hole (aka Imola) ET45 12.0lb (5.45kg) [silver, white]


monsta

R82 8-spoke (aka Silverstone) ET45 15.2lb (6.9kg) [silver, white]


Picture your car here

R86 star-spoke ET45 15.0lb (6.8kg) [silver only]


bigtent

R93 5-spoke Rocket ET45 14.8lb (6.7kg) [silver, white]


Picture your car here

R96 Delta-spoke ET45 13.7lb (6.2kg) [silver, white]


Shaun

R100 5-spoke Spooler ET45 13.7lb (6.2kg) [silver, white]


Picture your car here

R101 Rotator-spoke ET45 15.7lb (7.1kg) [silver, white]


[NOT PICTURED]

15" x 3.5" space-saver wheel 12.7lb (5.8kg)


OEM tires:

175/65-15 TIRE ------------------------------------ Continental ContiTouringContact CH95 Dunlop SP Sport 200 E Michelin Energy XT1 Pirelli P3000 Energy


16" SIZE


16" x 6.5" alloys fitted with 195/55 run flat tires:

R1

R83 5-star (aka Daytona) ET48 20.1lb (9.1kg) [silver, white]


snek

R84 X-lite (aka Monza, V-spoke) ET48 17.6lb (8.0kg) [silver, white]


s310

R88 double-spoke ET48 19.6lb (8.9kg) [silver only]


billboard

R90 cross-spoke (one-piece) ET48 20.9lb (9.5kg) [silver only]


jimmyt

R92 7-spoke Fin ET48 19.0lb (8.6kg) [silver, white]


J1JPE

R94 Bridge-spoke ET48 20.9lb (9.5kg) [silver, white]


inomis

R102 S-winder ET48 17.4lb (7.9kg) [silver, white]


Picture your car here

R103 5-spoke Blaster ET48 19.0lb (8.6kg) [silver, white]


16" x 5.5" alloy wheel intended for use with winter tires:

MINI equipped for snow

R87 double-spoke ET45 16.5lb (7.5kg) [silver only]


OEM run flat tires:

195/55-16 TIRE WEIGHT (*) -------------------------- --------------- --- Goodyear Eagle NCT 5 EMT 22.6lb (10.3kg) P,C Goodyear Excellence ROF 22.0lb (10.0kg) A Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST P Dunlop SP Sport 3000A DSST 23.0lb (10.5kg) P,C Dunlop SP Sport 5000A DSST 23.0lb (10.5kg) A,S (*) --- P = performance (summer) tire A = all-season tire C = Cooper S = Cooper S Precautions should be taken in changing run flat tires


17" SIZE


17" x 7" alloys fitted with 205/45 run flat tires:

GrahamG

R85 S-spoke (aka LeMans, S-lite) ET48 25.1lb (11.4kg) [silver, white]


ModoMini

R90 cross-spoke (two-piece) ET48 24.1lb (10.95kg) [silver, anthracite with polished lip]


colorblind

R91 5-spoke Bullet ET48 20.6lb (9.4kg) [silver, white]


benzamg

R97 Flame-spoke ET48 22.0lb (10.0kg) [silver, white]


gaminicool

R98 web-spoke (two-piece) ET48 22.3lb (10.1kg) [silver only]


ChicagoGator

R99 double-spoke ET48 21.9lb (9.95kg) [silver, anthracite, polished]


spiney

R104 Crown-spoke ET48 22.7lb (10.3kg) [silver, white]


gotsmart

R108 multi-spoke ET48 22.9lb (10.4kg) [silver only]


Picture your car here

R110 Pace-spoke ET48 22.7lb (10.3kg) [silver only]


Picture your car here

R112 Challenge-spoke ET48 23.1lb (10.5kg) [silver only]


Picture your car here

R??? Night-spoke ET45 20.4lb (9.4kg) [bright-turned black]


OEM run flat tires:

205/45-17 TIRE WEIGHT (*) ------------------------- --------------- --- Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST P Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSST 21.0lb ( 9.5kg) P Pirelli Eufori@ 22.0lb (10.0kg) P Goodyear Eagle RS-A EMT 22.0lb (10.0kg) A (*) --- P = performance (summer) tire A = all-season tire Precautions should be taken in changing run flat tires


18" SIZE


18" x 7" JCW alloys fitted with 205/40 run flat tires:

Jones

R95 spider-spoke ET52 23.5lb (10.7kg) [silver only]


nylo

R105 double-spoke ET52 23.3lb (10.6g) [bright-turned or matte black]


Press

R107 GP ET52 19.8lb (9.0kg) [bright-turned black]


118

R109 double-spoke (2-piece) ET52 25.4lb (11.5kg) [silver only]


Picture your car here

R113 cross-spoke ET52 23.1lb (10.5kg) [bright-turned or gloss black]


OEM run flat tires:

205/40-18 TIRE WEIGHT (*) ----------------------- --------------- --- Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST 21.6lb ( 9.8kg) P (*) --- P = performance (summer) tire A = all-season tire Precautions should be taken in changing run flat tires


Contributors:
Contact FAQ Custodian

Can all OEM wheels be fitted to either generation MINI?
On July 12, 2006 the size of wheel bolts was changed from M12x1.5 to M14x1.25. There exists a misconception that this change in wheel bolt size precludes fitting early OEM wheels on later model cars. This is simply not true as all OEM wheels have holes large enough for either size wheel bolt.

It's the front disk brake size that determines which OEM wheels will fit as shown below:
+---------------------+-----------+----------+
| Generation - Models | Disk Size |  Wheels  |
+---------------------+-----------+----------+
| 1st - All           |    276    | 15" All  |
|                     |           | 16" All  |
|                     |           | 17" All  |
|                     |           | 18" All  |
+---------------------+-----------+----------+
| 2nd - Cooper / One  |    280    | 15" All  |
|                     |           | 16" All  |
|                     |           | 17" All  |
|                     |           | 18" All  |
+---------------------+-----------+----------+
| 1st - Factory GP    |    294    | 16" R87  |
| 1st - JCW Brake Kit |           | 16" R94  |
| 2nd - Cooper S      |           | 16" R102 |
|                     |           | 16" R103 |
|                     |           | 17" All  |
|                     |           | 18" All  |
+---------------------+-----------+----------+
| 2nd - Factory Works |    316    | 17" R97  |
| 2nd - JCW Brake Kit |           | 17" R104 |
|                     |           | 17" R108 |
|                     |           | 17" R112 |
|                     |           | 17" R114 |
|                     |           | 18" R113 |
+---------------------+-----------+----------+

Contact FAQ Custodian

What should be considered in choosing a wheel and tire package?

Some replace the factory wheels to customize their car or to facilitate plus sizing, while others purchase aftermarket wheels to use on the track. Whatever the reason, a wheel and tire package selected must fit within the wheel well without rubbing on the suspension or fender.

On street cars, it should have an overall diameter that is within ±3% of the factory specification. The ±3% variation is recommended for street cars in order to maintain accurate speed data going into the computer, thus keeping odometer and speedometer changes negligible. While a ±3% diameter increase or reduction in tire diameter may sound very limiting, in most cases it allows approximately a ±3/4" diameter change.

Assuming 24.00" (609.6mm) as the factory specification for overall diameter, any of the following tire sizes may be appropriate:

+-----------+-------------------+
| TIRE SIZE |     DIAMETER      |
+-----------+-------------------+
| 195/55-15 | 23.44in (595.5mm) | 
| 205/40-17 | 23.46in (595.8mm) |
| 215/50-15 | 23.46in (596.0mm) |
| 215/45-16 | 23.62in (599.9mm) |
| 195/50-16 | 23.68in (601.4mm) |
| 185/60-15 | 23.74in (603.0mm) |
| 215/40-17 | 23.77in (603.8mm) |
| 205/55-15 | 23.88in (606.5mm) |
| 215/35-18 | 23.93in (607.7mm) |
| 175/65-15 | 23.96in (608.5mm) |
| 225/45-16 | 23.97in (608.9mm) |
| 205/50-16 | 24.07in (611.4mm) |
| 225/40-17 | 24.09in (611.8mm) |
| 225/35-18 | 24.20in (614.7mm) |
| 195/60-15 | 24.21in (615.0mm) |
| 205/45-17 | 24.26in (616.3mm) | 
| 215/55-15 | 24.31in (617.5mm) |
| 195/55-16 | 24.44in (620.9mm) |
| 205/40-18 | 24.46in (621.2mm) |
| 215/50-16 | 24.46in (621.4mm) |
| 185/65-15 | 24.47in (621.5mm) |
| 215/45-17 | 24.62in (625.3mm) |
+-----------+-------------------+

NOTES:
  • Stock fitments are highlighted
  • Fitment dependent on wheel offset and suspension setup
  • Tires availabilty may be limited in certain sizes

There are performance benefits from wider tires, in that there is more rubber gripping the road. Increasing tire width or increasing wheel diameter means lowering the sidewall of tire. While a shorter sidewall, gives quicker steering response and better lateral stability, it may make for a "harsher" ride and leave wheels more susceptible to damage from encounters with curbs or pot-holes.

Increasing wheel size is not always required to fit wider tires. For example, 205/50 tires fit 16" wheels providing the same tire print as the factory 17" wheel/tire package and 0.40" (10.3mm) additional sidewall cushioning.

When selecting wheels, bear in mind that larger diameter wheels mean more expensive tires, and heavier wheels mean more unsprung weight, thus poorer handling.

When selecting tires, make sure that they have an appropriate speed rating and load index:
  • Speed Rating
    • H minimum - Cooper and One
    • V minimum - Cooper S
  • Load Index
    • 84 minimum

The Tire Rack - technical pages


Contact FAQ Custodian


What aftermarket wheels are available?
There are many choices in aftermarket wheels, ranging in diameters 15"-18", widths 6"-8" and offsets 35mm-50mm, some of which are showcased in the Afermarket Wheel Gallery.

View Aftermarket Wheel Gallery

View Aftermarket Wheel Statistics

Two production changes need to be considered before purchasing aftermarket wheels:
  1. On July 12, 2006 the size of wheel bolts changed from M12x1.5 to M14x1.25. While all OEM wheels have holes large enough for either size wheel bolt, some aftermarket wheels cannot accommodate the larger size.
  2. In August 2007 the Tire Pressure Monitor System for some markets switched from indirect monitoring (using data from the ABS sensors) to direct monitoring (using data from sensors inside the wheels at the base of the valve stem).
    Not all aftermarket wheels can accommodate the sensors required for the direct tire pressure monitoring.
If your MINI has M14 wheel bolts or direct tire pressure monitoring, check with your wheel supplier to confirm compatibility of the aftermarket wheels you're considering.


Contact FAQ Custodian

Can punctures to run flat tires be repaired?
Assuming that no damage has occurred to the sidewall in getting to a repair shop, the same criteria apply to repairing a run flat tire as apply to a conventional tire.

Any puncture or injury to a tire's tread area obviously affects performance and safety. Proper repair is critical. The puncture must be repaired on both the inside and the outside of the tire. Since all parts of a tire are engineered to function as a single unit, any repair must take that into consideration. Only small straight through 3/16" diameter or less punctures in the tread area may be repairable, if no secondary damage has occurred.


Note:

If the puncture is close to the crown edge, say within 1/2", you may want to purchase a replacement tire. The reason is high speed (H or above) rated tires use what is known as a "crown edge breaker, or wedge", or "nylon breaker strip" to further strengthen the belt package and cap overlays during hard cornering forces. A puncture can rupture or damage this construction, making the tire unsafe even if repaired.
A tire repair can be properly made only if the tire is removed from the rim; a thorough internal inspection is carried out; and the repair is made from the inside out. A repair must fill and seal the injury, i.e. vulcanized plug and patch. A very excellent patch is offered by many tire repair material companies know as the "uni-patch" which looks like a mushroom.

The inner liner patch has a stalk or stem comming from it with a metal tip on the end used for pulling it through the injury, or the "needle and thread" method which is shown in the picture above. The inner liner is buffed to a rough texture to improve adheasion. The glue is applied and then the stem inserted into the injury from the inside of the tire, and pulled through the hole by the metal tip on the stem. The patch then seats onto the inner liner. The tip is trimmed off flush with the tread surface.

Precautions should be taken in changing run flat tires


Contact FAQ Custodian

What precautions should be taken in changing run flat tires?

Wheel damage may result if proper equipment and care is not used in changing run flat tires.

The following companies manufacture tire changers for run flats:




TC3500
TC3250
TC2000




Rim Clamp Models:
7065
6065
5065




AM26 Artiglio Master
A2024 Series
A9824 Series


Special training courses on handling run flat tires are available for technicians.

Always use a shop which has been certified for run flat tire servicing


Contact FAQ Custodian


What should be considered when replacing two tires?
Many people don't rotate the tires on their MINI so the front tires wear out faster than the rear. If you're thinking about just replacing two tires remember:
  1. The new tires should be mounted on the rear
    More ...
  2. Mixing tires "can unbalance the vehicle's handling in poor weather or when pushed to the limit in an emergency"
    More ...

Contact FAQ Custodian

What high performance tires are being used to replace OEM tires?
The MINI is originally equipped with "skinny" conventional tires on 15" wheels or "harsh" run flat tires on 16" or 17" tires. When aftermarket wheels are purchased or worn or damaged stock tires are replaced, many owners are switching to high performance summer or all-season conventional tires, which provide better handling and [versus run flats] a more comfortable ride.

The following tables list some of the tires MINI2 members have chosen and their availability in MINI fitments:

Click here to view the popularity of all tires
Click name below to view information on the tire

+----------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | TIRES FOR 15" WHEELS | 195/55 | 205/55 | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position | | X | | Continental ContiExtremeContact | | X | | Continental ContiSportContact 2 | | X | | Dunlop SP Sport 9000 | X | X | | Falken Ziex ZE-512 | X | X | | Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 | X | X | | Toyo Proxes 4 | | X | | Toyo Proxes T1-R | X | X | | Yokohama AVS ES100 | X | X | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+ +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | TIRES FOR 16" WHEELS | 205/50 | 215/45 | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position | X | | | Continental ContiSportContact 2 | X | | | Dunlop SP Sport 9000 | X | | | Falken Azenis Sport | | X | | Falken GRB FK-451 | X | | | Falken Ziex ZE-512 | X | | | Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 | X | | | Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 | X | | | Michelin Pilot Sport | X | X | | Pirelli PZero Nero M+S | X | | | Sumitomo HTR Z II | X | | | Toyo Proxes 4 | X | | | Toyo Proxes T1-R | X | | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+ +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ | TIRES FOR 17" WHEELS | 205/40 | 205/45 | 215/40 | 215/45 | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ | Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position | X | | X | X | | Continental ContiExtremeContact | X | | X | X | | Continental ContiSportContact 2 | X | X | X | X | | Dunlop SP Sport 9000 | X | X | X | X | | Falken GRB FK-451 | X | | X | X | | Falken Ziex ZE-512 | X | X | X | X | | Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 | | | X | X | | Kumho ECSTA MX | X | | X | X | | Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 | X | X | X | X | | Michelin Pilot Sport | | X | X | X | | Pirelli PZero Nero | X | | X | X | | Pirelli PZero Nero M+S | X | | X | X | | Sumitomo HTR Z II | X | | X | X | | Sumitomo HTR + | X | | X | X | | Toyo Proxes 4 | X | X | X | X | | Toyo Proxes T1-R | X | | X | X | | Yokohama AVS ES100 | X | X | X | X | | Yokohama Parada Spec 2 | X | X | X | | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ +----------------------------------------+--------+ | TIRES FOR 18" WHEELS | 215/35 | +----------------------------------------+--------+ | Falken GRB FK-451 | X | | Falken Ziex ZE-512 | X | | Kumho ECSTA MX | X | | Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 | X | | Pirelli PZero Nero | X | | Pirelli PZero Nero M+S | X | | Sumitomo HTR + | X | | Toyo Proxes 4 | X | | Toyo Proxes T1-R | X | | Yokohama Parada Spec 2 | X | +----------------------------------------+--------+

Tire Manufacturer Links:

+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | BFGoodrich | Bridgestone | Continental | Dunlop | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | Falken | Goodyear | Kumho | Michelin | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | Pirelli | Sumitomo | Toyo | Yokohama | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+

Contact FAQ Custodian

What winter tires are available?

The following tables list some of the winter tires found on the internet in MINI fitments.

Click a specific name to view information on the tire


+----------------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ | TIRES FOR 15" WHEELS | 175/65 | 185/65 | 195/60 | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ | Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 | | X | X | | Continental ContiWinterContact TS 810 | | X | X | | Dunlop Graspic DS-1 | | X | X | | Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 | X | | | | Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 | | | X | | Michelin Artic Alpin | | X | X | | Michelin Pilot Alpin | | | X | | Nokian Hakkapeliitta 2 | | X | X | | Nokian Hakkapeliitta 4 | | X | X | | Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi | | X | X | | Pirelli Winter 190 Snowcontrol | X | | | | Pirelli Winter 190 Snowsport | | X | | | Pirelli Winter 210 Snowsport | | | X | | Vredestein Icetrac | | X | X | | Vredestein Snowtrac | X | | | | Vredestein Snowtrac 2 | | X | X | | Vredestein Wintrac H | | X | X | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ NOTE: Above tires may also be available in 185/60 and 195/55 sizes, but these offer less ground clearance. +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | TIRES FOR 16" WHEELS | 195/55 | 205/50 | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 | | X | | Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 | X | X | | Continental ContiWinterContact TS 810 | X | | | Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 DSST | X | | | Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 | X | X | | Michelin Artic Alpin | | X | | Michelin Pilot Alpin | | X | | Nokian Hakkapeliitta 2 | | X | | Nokian Hakkapeliitta 4 | | X | | Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi | X | X | | Pirelli Winter 210 Snowsport | X | X | | Vredestein Wintrac H | | X | +----------------------------------------+--------+--------+ NOTE: Run flat tire fitment denoted by X. +----------------------------------------+--------+ | TIRES FOR 17" WHEELS | 205/45 | +----------------------------------------+--------+ | Pirelli Winter 240 Snowsport | X | +----------------------------------------+--------+ NOTE: Above tire available in conventional and run flat versions.
Tire Manufacturer Links:

+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | Bridgestone | Continental | Dunlop | Goodyear | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | Michelin | Nokian | Pirelli | Vredestein | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+

Contact FAQ Custodian


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