Please note that this FAQ is linked to the OEM Wheel Gallery:

• Click the wheel thumbnail to submit a Gallery search for a particular wheel
• Click the icon to view a QuickTime video for a particular wheel
• Click the highlighted color to display the Gallery picture for a particular wheel and color
• Click any highlighted color of a particular wheel size and then use the keyboard keys to simulate an "on screen slideshow" of Gallery pictures for that wheel size
• Click here to submit a picture of your MINI for inclusion in the Gallery

15" wheels and tires for R50, R52, R53, R55, R56, R57


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



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




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




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




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




R93 5-spoke Rocket ET45 14.8lb (6.7kg) [Silver, White]




R96 Delta-spoke ET45 13.7lb (6.2kg) [Silver, White]




R100 5-spoke Spooler ET45 13.7lb (6.2kg) [Silver, White]




R101 Rotator-spoke ET45 15.7lb (7.1kg) [Silver, White]




R118 5-star Twin-spoke ET45 Wt ?? [Silver only]


[NOT PICTURED]

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


OEM tires:

           175/65-15 TIRE     
------------------------------------
Continental ContiPremiumContact 2
Continental ContiTouringContact CH95
Dunlop SP Sport 200 E
Michelin Energy XT1 
Pirelli P3000 Energy  

16" wheels and tires for R50, R52, R53, R55, R56, R57


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



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




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




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




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




R92 7-spoke Fin ET48 19.0lb (8.6kg) [Silver, White]




R94 Bridge-spoke ET48 20.9lb (9.5kg) [Silver, White, Gloss Black]




R102 S-winder ET48 17.4lb (7.9kg) [Silver, White]




R103 5-spoke Blaster ET48 19.0lb (8.6kg) [Silver, White]




R115 Rib-spoke ET48 Wt ?? [Silver only]




R119 6-star Twin-spoke ET48 Wt?? [Silver, Black]




R120 Circular-spoke ET48 Wt ?? [Silver only]


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



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


OEM run flat tires:

        195/55-16 TIRE               WEIGHT       (*)
-------------------------------  ---------------  ---
Continental ContiProContact SSR  23.0lb (10.5kg)  A
Goodyear Eagle NCT 5 EMT         22.6lb (10.3kg)  P,C
Goodyear Excellence ROF          20.0lb (10.0kg)  A
Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST          23.0lb (10.5Kg)  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

16" wheels and tires for R60


16" x 6.5" alloys fitted with 205/60 tires:



R122 5-star single-spoke ET46 Wt?? [Silver]




R123 5-hole Circular-spoke ET46 Wt?? [Silver]


17" wheels and tires for R50, R52, R53, R55, R56, R57


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



R85 S-spoke (aka LeMans, S-lite) ET48 25.1lb (11.4kg) [Silver, White, Chrome]




R90 cross-spoke (two-piece) ET48 24.1lb (10.95kg) [Silver, Anthracite, Gloss Back]




R91 5-spoke Bullet ET48 20.6lb (9.4kg) [Silver, White]




R97 Flame-spoke ET48 22.0lb (10.0kg) [Silver, White]




R98 web-spoke (two-piece) ET48 22.3lb (10.1kg) [Silver, Gloss Black]




R99 double-spoke ET48 21.9lb (9.95kg) [Silver, Anthracite, Polished]




R104 Crown-spoke ET48 22.7lb (10.3kg) [Silver, White, Gloss Black]




R108 multi-spoke ET48 22.9lb (10.4kg) [Silver, Gloss Black]




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




R111 Black Star Bullet ET48 20.6lb (9.4kg) [Bright Turned]




R112 Challenge-spoke ET48 23.1lb (10.5kg) [Silver, Gloss Black]




R??? Night-spoke ET48 20.4lb (9.4kg) [Bright Turned]




R??? Infinite Stream ET48 Wt ?? [Silver, White]




R??? Silver Shield ET48 Wt ?? [Silver only]




R121 Conical-spoke ET48 Wt ?? [Silver, Black]


OEM run flat tires:

          205/45-17 TIRE                 WEIGHT       (*)
-----------------------------------  ---------------  ---
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT       22.0lb (10.0kg)   P
Continental ContiProContact SSR      21.0lb ( 9.5kg)   A
Continental ContiSportContact 3 SSR  21.0lb ( 9.5kg)   P
Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST              22.0lb (10.0kg)   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

17" wheels and tires for R60


17" x 7" alloys fitted with 205/55 tires:



R124 5-star double-spoke ET50 Wt?? [Silver, Anthracite, Black]




R125 Tunnel-spoke ET50 Wt?? [Anthracite, White]


18" wheels and tires for R50, R52, R53, R55, R56, R57


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



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




R105 double-spoke ET52 23.3lb (10.6g) [Bright Turned, Matte Black]




R107 GP ET52 19.8lb (9.0kg) [Bright Turned]




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




R113 cross-spoke ET52 23.1lb (10.5kg) [Bright Turned or Gloss Black]


OEM run flat tires:

       205/40-18 TIRE               WEIGHT       (*)
------------------------------  ---------------  ---
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT  21.0lb ( 9.5kg)   P   
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

18" wheels and tires for R60


18" x 7.5" alloys fitted with 225/45 tires:



R126 Turbo Fan ET52 Wt?? [Silver, Anthracite, White]




R127 5-star double-spoke ET52 Wt?? [Gloss Black, Anthracite]


Contributors:

• jlivingood - QuickTime videos
• Tech Man at MINIUSA - wheel offset and weight information

Contact FAQ Custodian

NOTE: The information below applies only to wheels for R50, R52, R53, R55, R56, R57 models. Wheels for R60 models have a different bolt pattern and will therefore not fit.

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:

There are many choices in aftermarket wheels, ranging in diameters 15"-19", widths 6"-8" and offsets 35mm-50mm, some of which are showcased in the Afermarket Wheel Gallery:

15" wheels
16" wheels
17" wheels
18" wheels
19" wheels

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

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

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

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