MCS Tyre Specing questions

[Windshadow]

After several hours reading this section and it's FAQs I am more confused than when I began!
I have a bit of time left to re-spec my new BRG/WT MCS

And my questions are
what performance 17" runflat will it come with?
It looks like to drop back to the 16" All season (again what tyre) Will actualy cost a bit more (as I want the rest of the sport pack)and I like the look of the 17"MCS wheel(in White) a lot more than the 16" wheel... the same design s lite wheel seems to sold in a 15" but not offered for the MCS. why?

so how big is the ride difference between the 17, 16 and 15

how much do you give up in handling dropping down from 17 to 16 to 15

Am i better off getting the 17 and futzing with differnt RF types on it or the one of the other sizes for the best combo of ride and handeling
Taking what comes with the sport package and attempting to sell them getting one of the 15 or 16" wheel/tyre combos from my dealer.
Confused? I know I am
Randolph

[Martin L]

Tyre/wheels are a right pain in the preverbial
MINI just doesn't give you enough choice as you're usually restricted by whatever package you opt for.
If you get the 17s these will come with either Dunlop SP9000s or Pirelli Euphorias. The Dunlops from experience is the far better tyre
The best wheels to go for are the 16's as they offer the best compromise. The 17s are very heavy and give a far harsher ride, where as the 16 x-lites are light and hence respond much better
Again what tyre you end up is with the gods I've got Goodyears on my 16s which aren't as good as Dunlop SP5000s I had on my Cooper a couple of years back.

I've probably confused even more now

[Windshadow]

No it helps a bit... I guess... I think.... sort of...

[MINIAC]

The FAQ on original equipment wheels and tires lists all the wheels and tires.

If you order the Sport Package on an 'S' and specify performance tires on the R85 wheels you get [it's a crap shoot] either the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSSTs or Pirelli Eufori@s. If you specify all-season tires, you get the Goodyear Eagle RS-A EMTs. The standard equipment R84 wheels come with Dunlop SP Sport 5000A DSSTs which are all-season tires. BTW, OEM tires fitted on the 'S' are V-rated (speed up to 149 mph) versus H-rated (speed up to 130 mph) for the Cooper.

There's lots of the threads on the "which is better ... R84 or R85 set-up", so I won't get into the "less filling ... tastes great" debate here.

Lots of people replace the run-flats with convential tires when they wear out. Many people replace the heavy R85 wheels with lighter aftermarket wheels.

[Windshadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC

The FAQ on original equipment wheels and tires lists all the wheels and tires.

If you order the Sport Package on an 'S' and specify performance tires on the R85 wheels you get [it's a crap shoot] either the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSSTs or Pirelli Eufori@s. If you specify all-season tires, you get the Goodyear Eagle RS-A EMTs. The standard equipment R84 wheels come with Dunlop SP Sport 5000A DSSTs which are all-season tires. BTW, OEM tires fitted on the 'S' are V-rated (speed up to 149 mph) versus H-rated (speed up to 130 mph) for the Cooper.

There's lots of the threads on the "which is better ... R84 or R85 set-up", so I won't get into the "less filling ... tastes great" debate here.

Lots of people replace the run-flats with convential tires when they wear out. Many people replace the heavy R85 wheels with lighter aftermarket wheels.

That helps a lot!
Please do not misunderstand me I was Not being critical of the FAQ it is fantastic! but mostly for later when I have either worn out or desire more than my OEM 17" performance run flats provide... for now I just have to hope for the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSSTs I guess.

How much of a difference is there between the Dunlops and the Pirellis and is it in comfort, handling or wear or all three

Oh and who owns Dunlop these days?

and last I realy like the look of the R85 Wheels especially in white. doese anyone do a 'knock off' (sorry about the bad pun) of it that weighs less?
and what about the true Rudge type knock off hubs and wheels with the stylish 2 wing spinners and the Lead or Brass lump hammer... now that would be fun if updated the right way.
Perhaps some of our photoshop pros could knock out a photo of a MINI with wheels like that... unless someone is already making them of course

[MINIAC]

The R85 wheel is actually a "knock-off" of the original Minilite wheel.

Minilites are available in 15x6:



Panasport FS replicas are available in 16x7:



The R85 has "beefier" spokes than the two wheels above. If you really want "beef" there is the RH-Alurad AQ Maxilite (which has one less spoke) in several 17" fitments:




I believe these wheels only come in silver, so you'd have to have them painted if you want white.

[Windshadow]

THANK YOU!! Print and right into the MINI folder the 16" looks nice can a good White finish be added to wheel like that? will said finish be as good as the OEM White? and where would you find someone to do it?
And about Dunlop are they owned by someone else now?

[stryder]

Dunlop is owned by goodyear... (or more specifically the goodyear tire and rubber company)... It seems foreign made tires by goodyear are more often dunlop then goodyear, but exactly how the branding works I'm not very sure.

[Windshadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by stryder

Dunlop is owned by goodyear... (or more specifically the goodyear tire and rubber company)... It seems foreign made tires by goodyear are more often dunlop then goodyear, but exactly how the branding works I'm not very sure.

Interesting
After reading all these Threads I sure hope my MINI comes with The Dunlops
~R

[Windshadow]

Well in the end Ghillie came with the Pirelli Eufori@s but MINI of Peabody let me upgrade for their list price differential an the cost of mounting and balancing $320 including tax So I took Martin L's advice and traded up. I was told that most 17" Performance run flats are coming in wirh the Pirellis these days. perhaps because they are cheaper? at the tirerack.com they go for only $165 each while the Dunlop runflats are $238 each or $294 more for each car.
I am loving the dry and wet performance of these Dunlops For a Dry day road trip see here
http://homepage.mac.com/windshadow/PhotoAlbum10.html

For wet.... Well
A Real Frog strangler here today but Ghillie has the Best rain tyres I have ever used! While the Island is small There are a few fine winding roads that until the summer crowds start to arrive Provide a nice ride. I was frankly amazed at the ability to resist hydroplaning in quite deep puddles by the runflat 17" Dunlop 9000 tyres

Cheers
~R~