18" Tyre replacement

[supercoopers]

Hiya fellow Mini2'ers

I need your advice! Here's the score...I bought 18x7.5 Kei Racing Flight alloys a month back and they came with poo budget 215/35/18 Cooper (old Avon technology) tyres. Just this weekend past, I buckled the front passenger alloy on one of our fine country roads here is britain

I have already ordered a replacement (200 GBP, ouch!) and since the buckling of the wheel has 'broken' the sidewall of the attached tyre, I have decided to change all 4 tyres at the same time.

My MCS is on Spax coilovers, lowered by 30mm all round. My question is, should I increase the profile of the tyre to 215/40/18 to protect the alloy from the road contact a little better or should I just get good 35 profile tyres? Will the 45 profile tyres rub?

Also, could anyone possibly predict if I would suffer scrubbing with 225/40/18 tyres? My car has the steering rack limiters as fitted when installing JCW 18" alloys.

Thanks in advance,

Henry

[CooperID]

I know that the JCW alloys come with 205/40/R18's... although i think they are a 7" wide rim... if that's any help... think it also depends on the brand of tyre sometimes as well. (Dunlops come with the JCW)

[benmcguire]

fulda have one of the best tyres to fit when space is tight. the sidewalls are quite rounded

[Smoked]

If you wanna keep your 215 width, if you start altering the sidewall percentage your speedo will be put out of cal. 215/35/18 toyos is what i've gone for, there a fine tyre. 225's shoudnt rub but i couldnt gaurentee it.

[supercoopers]

Thanks everyone for your educated replies I knew I could count on MINI2 to come up trumps

I have decided to go with 215/35/18 Toyo Proxes T-1 rubber which should arrive next week. My replacement alloy has arrived and is looking mighty fine indeed. Hopefully I can put pictures of my project car in my gallery by late next week

Cheers,

Henry