Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Tire upgrade by 1 inch, need suspension change?

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by DutchytheDutch, May 3, 2015.

  1. DutchytheDutch

    DutchytheDutch New Member

    Dec 5, 2013
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    Recently I bought some new rims and tires that are a inch larger than the current ones I have on the little one.
    To accommodate for the larger set is it necessary to raise the suspension?
    Any insight is appreciated.
     
  2. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    You mean you went to 17" wheels from 16's..... or something like that?

    Depends.....if you also went down in aspect ratio on the tires, chances are you'll be fine.

    For example, I went from the stock 195/55-16's, to 215/45-17's with no issues.
     
  3. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
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    Dave is right..."an inch larger" does not really tell us much. You need to tell us the exact tire size of the "inch larger" tire for us to tell you what works or not. Also tell us the wheel size you want to use.
     
  4. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

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    #4 cristo, May 3, 2015
    Last edited: May 3, 2015
    Correct. The stock sizes 175/65/15, 195/55/16, 205/45/17 and 205/40/18 are all about the same tire diameter
    even though the wheel diameters vary. Note that they're not exactly the same, but close enough not to make a difference.
    There are several other tire sizes in 15, 16, 17, and 18 that are also very close to stock diameter.

    P.S. wouldn't go to 18 unless you're looking for show over go.
     
  5. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    Yeah, my son ran 18's on his JCW - and hated them for anything but short drives to work....
     
  6. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

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    #6 cristo, May 3, 2015
    Last edited: May 3, 2015
    very short sidewalls = better steering response, but less comfort, handling,
    durability, acceleration and braking.
     
  7. DutchytheDutch

    DutchytheDutch New Member

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    Ill have to check what the exact tire dimensions are. I set them next to the ones I currently have on and the rim with tire included is about an inch bigger. I think I have 16's on now and the new ones are 17's.
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    No problems, bolt them on & go.
     
  9. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

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    Please read off the size from the sidewall (205/45/R17 or something like that) and post it.
     
  10. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    That's about exactly what I suggested earlier in the thread.
     
  11. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Tire Rack has detailed specs on most tires. You search up the tire and click the "specs" tab. It will show you the overall diameter for each size of that tire. You can compare easily and determine impact on clearance. That's what I do.
     
  12. GokartPilot

    GokartPilot Well-Known Member

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    Agreed, the 18s on the Gen 1 GP are stock and not a comfort wheel, especially with the stock run flats. Availability in some tire makes are limited and usually cost more than the 17s just because of the "off" tire size of the MINI.
     

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