Need new tyres soon, wheel and tyre options, pros and cons?
Discussion
Hi all. I noticed this weekend that the tyres on my car are getting fairly close to needing replacement, probably in the next 6 months or so, and as I'd have to replace all 4, then that opens up a few options that I think might be worth considering, but I want some advice on this as I've managed to spoil cars with the wrong tyre / wheel choice in the past, and don't want to do it again.
The car in question is an F56 Mini JCW, currently with 18" Cup Spoke 509 wheels, with 205/40/18 tyres.
The cheapest option, obviously, is just replace like with like, but this is an expensive tyre size - to give an example, a PS4 is currently around £190 (blackcircles).
Some owners however, put wider tyres on (215 or 225) and this brings the price down (for 225s, they are £123 each, a significant saving on four tyres), and also gives a bit more sidewall and fills the arches a tad. Technically though the wheels I have are 7" and therefore in theory you should only put a maximum of 215 on the wheel, but many owners have used 225s to good effect (so they say).
Alternatively, I could use this as an opportunity to buy new, lighter wheels, my current wheels are OK but will probably need a refurb at some point in the future. My current wheels are 12kg each, I think lightweight ones could save me around 3 or 4kg each, although obviously a larger tyre will be a little heavier which will negate this somewhat, so would I really notice much benefit?
The final option is to drop down to 17s, which would be the lightest of all, and give even more of a sidewall, but I worry that too much sidewall may take the edge off the handling. On the plus side the tyres are cheaper still (225/45/17 are £115 each). Also, being vane here, but I do think 18s look a little better than 17s too.
To anyone with any real knowledge in this area, am I better off sticking with the stock sizes or is it worthwhile getting wider tyres and/or lighter or smaller wheels.
The car in question is an F56 Mini JCW, currently with 18" Cup Spoke 509 wheels, with 205/40/18 tyres.
The cheapest option, obviously, is just replace like with like, but this is an expensive tyre size - to give an example, a PS4 is currently around £190 (blackcircles).
Some owners however, put wider tyres on (215 or 225) and this brings the price down (for 225s, they are £123 each, a significant saving on four tyres), and also gives a bit more sidewall and fills the arches a tad. Technically though the wheels I have are 7" and therefore in theory you should only put a maximum of 215 on the wheel, but many owners have used 225s to good effect (so they say).
Alternatively, I could use this as an opportunity to buy new, lighter wheels, my current wheels are OK but will probably need a refurb at some point in the future. My current wheels are 12kg each, I think lightweight ones could save me around 3 or 4kg each, although obviously a larger tyre will be a little heavier which will negate this somewhat, so would I really notice much benefit?
The final option is to drop down to 17s, which would be the lightest of all, and give even more of a sidewall, but I worry that too much sidewall may take the edge off the handling. On the plus side the tyres are cheaper still (225/45/17 are £115 each). Also, being vane here, but I do think 18s look a little better than 17s too.
To anyone with any real knowledge in this area, am I better off sticking with the stock sizes or is it worthwhile getting wider tyres and/or lighter or smaller wheels.
A few things really, cost, ride quality improvements (not too bad but pot holes can be bad), and if there are overall handling improvements to be had then even better. Not too bothered about outright grip as the car has plenty of that already and keen not to lose too much turn in or sharpness.
I'm just wondering whether going to the hassle and expense of changing wheels would be worth the investment.
I'm just wondering whether going to the hassle and expense of changing wheels would be worth the investment.
Only you can decide based on your own perceptions and failings with whatever the current setup is.
Really if you want a good all rounder, it'd be hard to look past whatever they were fitted with from the factory when new.
It certainly doesn't sound like you need or want a high performance type tyre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZsWD4N0yds
Really if you want a good all rounder, it'd be hard to look past whatever they were fitted with from the factory when new.
It certainly doesn't sound like you need or want a high performance type tyre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZsWD4N0yds
The car would have been fitted with 205/40/18 run flats from the factory and most people can't wait to ditch them.
I guess in a nutshell I'm wondering if lighter / smaller wheels will be hugely better considering the cost.
It's hard to get a consensus as everyone says something different, some say it makes a big difference, others say not really noticeable, and many say ultimately the suspension will make the biggest difference.
I guess in a nutshell I'm wondering if lighter / smaller wheels will be hugely better considering the cost.
It's hard to get a consensus as everyone says something different, some say it makes a big difference, others say not really noticeable, and many say ultimately the suspension will make the biggest difference.
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