[gothamajp]

Hi folks -

I'll be having fun doing some Autocross this year in our new Cooper-S, running in GS, and am currently researching some wheel and tire options – but I must admit I’m starting to get a little confused.

Looking around on TireRack.com I came up with a combination of a set of Hoosier R3S03 205/40-16s mounted on a Kosei KI Racing wheels. However I'm a little concerned about the wheel size as the smallest I seem to be able to find is a 16x7.5.

I noticed on the forum an earlier thread about a company called AK Tires building sets of 16x16.5 wheels for about the same price as the Kosei's. Does anyone have any experience / knowledge of these? Are they still available ?

I initially went for the Hoosier’s as I have some experience on running on them (a few events in a Miata back in 2001). However after further reading it seems that Khumo VictoRacers or Toyo Proxes RA-1 may be alternatives.

So I’m asking for a little advice, feedback before I torture my credit card.

My intention is to run seven local SCCA events (NFL Stadium parking lot), a couple of BMW-CCA events, plus a couple of Auto-X schools and maybe one track day.

I’m not looking to be mega-competitive and wont be doing too much to set the car up beyond it’s street settings – I’m looking at 2003 as an extended “test” for me to get used to the car and freshen up after a year away from any sort of competitive driving.

I won’t need the tires as street drivers (other than from home to events and back), I’ll be switching back to the stock wheels and run-flats for the daily commute.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a suitable wheel / tire combo ?

Thanks
Alan J. Porter
BRG MINI Cooper S

[motoring]

From your comments you seem to not be super serious about autocorssing, (yet) so here is the simple advice. Stock class requires that you use stock size wheels... for your S you must use 16x6.5 or 17x7. The wheels from AK Tires are still in transport, and I think he still has a few sets available. The price is equivelent to a new set of V-spoke MINI wheels and are much lighter.

For tires, I would go with Kumho Victoracers but I don't think they come in a good size. The Toyo's would be a good long lasting alternative. Hoosier's offer tremendous grip but they don't last very long. If you have lots of money and are very serious go for Hoosiers. Another alternative if you are not super serious is the Falken Azenis, its cheap almost as sticky as a race tire and last longer.

Some one with an S may be able to give you more insight into the best tire size.

Have fun...

[CSDan]

Gothamajp, Where are you located--NFL stadium wouldn't happen to be giants would it?
As for wheels--I couldn't find anything really last year and I wanted my wheels to be double duty winter/auto-x wheels, so I found a set of stock S 16 inchers. I will be getting the Kuhmo's most likely. The hoosiers wont last long enough. I want something that will last me the whole season. I'l be doing mostly NASAcross, some SCCA and BMW-CCA and two track days--one at limerock, one at watkins glen.

Good luck with whatever you choose. The AK tire wheels seem good--dont know about their availibility anymore, but since they weren't availible soon enough I didn't go for them. I am sure there will be lighter options in the spring then my Stock S wheels--I might switch-but thats depending on the checking account .


Daniel

[gothamajp]

Hi -

>>NFL stadium wouldn't happen to be giants would it? <<

Nope, more where the natives have skins that are red.

[Garfield]

Nope, he's a local to ME guys...

Brian

[nonsequitur]

motoring, I had a very good day Saturday at Bremerton. Our car, the Cooper CVT!, posted times right in there with the best. The course was low 60s for much of the field, and we posted a 55.6 and 56.xs on earlier runs.

I've been using the Falkens Azenis you suggest, and like them. They are relatively inexpensive, sticky, and effective.

[gorditoautoxr]

Are Falken Azenis durable enough for street use? How long will they last if they're used on the streets?

[nonsequitur]

I'd like to know the answer to your street question too ... because I'm just plain impressed with these tires. Lots of grip, predictable break away, and inexpensive for what they are. I have something like 600 track miles on our set, plus the street miles to get there, plus days just driving on the street with them (3,500 street miles?). A whole bunch of tread is left.

[Canuck1]

I'm looking for opinions on Konig Heliums 15x6.5 40 offset for street use. Light and inexpensive but what about bump steer? I'm currently shopping for an '04 MCS but the 16" and 17" oem wheels are 17 and 25 lbs. Any word on the new engine?...'05...?.
-Ron

[nonsequitur]

Canuck1, lots pf questions in just three sentences! Do a Search on your key words. There is lots of information on MINI2, but you need to find some of the relevant threads to monitor (on the '05 car as an example, which has some exclusive info here on MINI2.com).

[FWD-MX5]

I'd go with a second set of VSpokes with the new A3S04 Hoosiers, they may last as long as Kumhos with better grip, but more $$$. If the Hoosiers are too much money, go with Kumho Ecsta V700s.
Chris

[Canuck1]

Quote: Originally Posted by nonsequitur

Canuck1, lots pf questions in just three sentences! Do a Search on your key words. There is lots of information on MINI2, but you need to find some of the relevant threads to monitor (on the '05 car as an example, which has some exclusive info here on MINI2.com).

Thanks Non. Being Latino et al you'd think I'd bloody know that!

[motoring]

Quote: Originally Posted by gorditoautoxr

Are Falken Azenis durable enough for street use? How long will they last if they're used on the streets?

I got about 16,000 miles on a set of Azenis, that included a bunch of autocross runs, and some very spirited driving in central Oregon. When I took them off two were bald, but still sticky, just no good in the rain.

[Garfield]

I got just over 21k miles with my Azenis', and actually only stopped using them because I ruined one on a pothole (they were almost bald though).
I had an extra set of wheels so I didn't autocross them, my wife did for about 12 runs.
For a non-everyday driver, or a summer set, the tires are great. I wanted something different with a less stiff sidewall for the car and went with a 225/45R16 Toyo T1-S, and I'm very happy with them. But no, the Toyo would not be as good of an autocross tire.

Brian

[CarolynS]

I had Falken Azenis on my S this summer, and while they only had about 7K miles and 6 or 7 autocrosses on them, I expect to be putting them back on next summer no problem.

Having these for street tires was like giving myself a present everyday. (Until it snowed.)

Plus they were plenty good enough for me to autox. While I'm the sort of autocrosser who is happy enough to get to mid-pack, on one memorable day, when the two good guys in GS were out of town, I actually won the class in Philly Region. A first in 7 years of autox. So they've been good for me.