Finally fitted HT3 wheels

[CHD]

Got the 18" HT3 wheels with 35 profile tyres fitted onto the MCS yesterday......WOW!

Love the look, ride is great, not too hard at all.

Quick picture as it got dark.........better shots later when the sun shines, if it ever does.

Chris.

[monsta]

Wow! I really like those wheels on the DS Cooper S - Very nice

P.S. Make your sig picture a bit smaller, it's too wide for the forum!

[smiffy]

Sweet it'll look awesome with the windows tinted

[M.2]

Very nice

[AidenL]

Looking good..........how much for the set ??

[CHD]

good value in my book

[ImageKing]

Looking Good Chris ...you have me thinking of some 18's for next spring.
No I need to get that 300mmf2.8L first.

Steve
PS they don't look much bigger than these babies

[AidenL]

Quote:

Originally posted by CHD
good value in my book

Not bad at all !

[Phat_Mini]

CHD

They nearly look as good as mine, how is the ride

Ha Ha

Look sweet

[LMB]

CHD where did you get them from? They look like Alpina wheels.

What's the handling like with them on?

What type of tyres are you using? Runflats?

Cheers

They look brilliant.

[CHD]

The wheels came from my local Wheelmania store.

You can check them all out online WHEELMANIA

They gave me a choice of rubber, and I opted for the better Toyo 225/35/18 tyres, which are not runflats.

So you have to buy yourself a can of TyreWeld or similar, in case you get a puncture.

I bought some from Halfords, along with a mini compressor that runs off the cig skt.

The ride quality is not really different from the 16" runflats I had as std. The runflats have really stiff sidewalls (to give them the runflat capabilitiy) and so are a firm ride anyway.

The new rubber feels fine over bumps, handling is great with maybe just a little more tramlining as you'd expect.

The MCS sits on the road better with the increased surface area of rubber, and cornering and traction have been excellent so far.

I also had to order some MINI plastic caps for the locking wheel nuts, as they are now exposed to the crud rather than protected under the original MINI centre caps.

You get 4 little caps that seal the open end of the locking wheel nut on each wheel, and that stops the spline skt filling up with crap and corroding.

Well worth the money as I feel the car now looks the way I'd like it. Cheaper than S 17" rims too, which is a bonus.

Chris.

[bmarvin]

Great Rims! I was wondering if you have any problems with the width or the tire/rim. I am about to buy some 18's and they offered me some 215/35/18, and said that they could also put on some 225/35/18, but they weren't sure if it would fit without rubbing. Any help/advice would be great. Thanks

Blake

[helmi_45]

Yeah, how's the ride on those 225/35 18"? Any rub?
Many people said that 225/35 18" will not fit, have you got that problem??
Have you lowered the car or not?

[CHD]

The 225/35/18 Toyo tyres on these rims have no issues with rubbing, either in normal road use, or when turning at full lock for parking etc.

You do have to consider that the offset of the wheel plays a part in this as well, so you need to check which ever combination of wheel and tyre you choose.

I have not lowered the car, but there is plenty of room to go 20mm or even 25mm lower. I fact, the red Cooper in this thread (Phat_Mini) is lowered so you could ask Paul if he's had any rubbing issues.

Ride quality is good, with maybe a little more road noise on rough road surfaces than the std 16". But then I am putting considerably more rubber on the road with these tyres so youd expect that.......

The ride is firm, but fine for me.

I don't feel like it's shaking the car apart or destroying my back or anything. If anything it makes the car sit on the road better, nice and square, and flat through the curves.

I drive 100 miles most days round trip, on motorway and normal UK roads, and it's great.

Grip in the wet and dry has been fantastic with the Toyo's, and only time will tell how they wear.

I'd say go for the 225 tyres, they look great, grip better AND give your new rims a little more curb protection too.

Chris.

[ImageKing]

Chris
Do you think it the fact that they are not runflats that helps keep the comfort levels in check?

Also if you are doing 100 miles day your 50,000 mile 5 year TLC free service limit will last less than 3 years.
Just think of all that fun you are getting...good lad.