[MiniBimmer]

Hello
I go to change the wheels, I wanted your opinion to know which the best option: 17x7.5 or 18x7.5?

The car in question is a MINI Cooper S JCW 2005.

Best Regards

[BlownMini]

I say it all depends on what you want to do with your car. 18s will get you a nicer show car, with some great handling for the twisties, but nothing that you should consider racing with or regularly taking the windy roads with. Now 17s will be lighter, will give adequate grip and handling, less wear on the tires,a nd if done right, still make the car look flashy. I personally want 18s, but I might have just talked myself into considering 17s. :-]

[OZChris]

Go 18 x 7.5, but hey I'm biased

[BlackEyedPea]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlownMini (original)

I say it all depends on what you want to do with your car. 18s will get you a nicer show car...

hmmm...if you really want a "nice" show car, the bigger the better... i found that you can fit up to 20"s WITHOUT modifying the suspension. Whether that's a good thing or not is up to you, all i know is that you have to be a VERY careful driver!

[Paul]

Considering the 17" OEM wheels rub, and the OEM 18's are advised to be fitted with a steering limiter, I'd imagine that 20" wheels, even with the skinniest rubber, must make life difficult (or far from ideal).

As above though, it really depends what you want. For an S I'd always advise going with some lightweight 16" wheels shod with the best rubber you can afford. But that's because of where and how I like to drive the car, and the fact this is what it was optimised for during development.

[MiniBimmer]

Hello
Thanks for reply and the pics...

The objective is show off and mainly behavior... I am thinking place 17x7.5 with ET45.
My doubt has with the tires measure. In your opinion I must keep the 205/45/17 or move for 215/45/17?

Best Regards

[MiniBimmer]

Hello
Me one more time...
Say one thing to me if you can, with 30mm suspension and wheel 17x7.5 ET45... Any rubbing problem with tires 215/45/17? Or in your opinion is better all the way 205/45/17?

Thanks

Best Regards

[M1OY CS]

hi there,

i have a 05 mcs with some 18" O.Z superleggeras. Ther car looks great but the ride is not too fantastic on bad roads. If the roads where you live are bad then you could find them quite annoying at times. ive learnt to live with it as do most people. i found my stock 17" wheels harsh to tho so i think its more the suspension set up added with unsmooth tarmac. hope this helps

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniBimmer (original)

... with 30mm suspension and wheel 17x7.5 ET45... Any rubbing problem with tires 215/45/17?

You should be OK

[Robert Stancliff]

I don't like huge wheels. To me 17 "s are tops on a MINI , with 16"s being ideal . Never cared for tires that look like rubber bands. Not to mention the cost and weight of oversized wheels. It's a fad that will soon pass......I hope.

[MiniBimmer]

Hello
Thanks people.

Say to me In your opinion do you think it´s better 205/45/17 or 215/45/17?

In 215/45/17 there is more tire choise and protects more the wheel than 205/45/17... but my doubt it is if I go to lose much handling with this change...
Which would be your choice?

Best Regards

[Richard Crofts]

I have Dare X4s 18x7.5 on 215x35 tyres with no rubbing and nothing close to issues with turning scrub etc. I know folks with the same rims and 30mm dropped cars that also don't rub unless they are loaded up heavy.

I find them a bit bumpy though so 17x7 or 7.5s will be going on soon with 215 or 225x 40 or 45 tyres.

R

[jeffroestobar]

I vote for the 18s if the objective is looks over speed.

[Andy P]

We have the JCW 105's 18's and they look great, so go for 18's

[MiniBimmer]

Hello
I like 18"´s Wheel´s, the extra weight is a negative point for me… I do think that 17 " is more adjusted…
But my doubt now is with the size of the tire for 17x7.5... I don´t want to lose much handling and performance... advised me to put 215/45/17, I liked to know your opinion.

If do you have pic´s of your car or other´s, was thankful...


Best Regards

[Andy P]

I find the handing a lot better on 18's than when we had our old mini on 17" s spokes - dont know about loss of performance as we have moved from an S to a JCW

Here's some picks

Andy

By the way I think the s-spokes are heavy anyway

[coded2112]

I agree with Andyp, i find the 18's much better but could be the suspension is that much better on my GP than old s! And also have never driven on 16's either, or on non run flats.

So i don't know why i answered, sorry not a lot of help!

[jeffroestobar]

Also, when I went from 16" stock rims with runflats to 18" with performance tires, I actually decreased weight and improved the ride and handling tremendously. So you don't have to look at 18s as being a harsh or heavy change, as it may be a drastic improvement over stock.

[Paul]

I personally can't see how when the OEM 18's require a reduction in wheel lock (increased turning circle) and the OEM 17's, let alone 18's, rub the wheel arches, that the handling can be improved with these compromises.

But we can all only give our own experiences and views. Personally I've covered thousands of miles with 16" and 17" combinations, as well as several hundred only with 18's and the best to my liking, the fastest and most fun (especially on the country lanes/roads and fast-roundabout-fast roads of Milton Keynes), has been with 16" wheels and good non-runflat tyres.

The GP is a different thing again, different suspension setup.

[MiniBimmer]

Hello
Thanks for the opinions.

I personally liked to see wheel 18 ". Andy P, your Wheels are pretty good, I like them...
Mine has Stock suspension for now...

Do you think for 17x7.5 the measure 215/45 is more recommended or keep 205/45?

Note: I edited my last post because of the images

Best Regards