52 plate Cooper S winter tyres?

[Mario149]

Lookign to fit winter tyres to my Cooper S as I'm going to be in cold/snowy bits of France over xmas. A bit of research suggests that they don't make them for the tyres size (205/40 18 if memory serves) on the car. A chap on another forum seems to think that 15s from (presumably) a Mini One will fit (and will take winter tyres) so long a you don't have JCW brakes. Does anyone know anything about this? 15" steelies seem to be readily available on eBay, but don't want to go through the faff of ordering them and tyres only for them not to fit! I've called a few local Mini dealers for info but not had a call back yet

[si_xsi]

Hmm not sure about 15's but i know mini did the cooper s with 16's as per link below:

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=16+inch+mini+coop...

Should be a blast to drive on snowy alp roads. Have fun.

[Manicminer]

I had 15 inch winters on my 51 Cooper, you can use them on an S so long as it doesn't have the JCW brakes. If it does you need 16 inch or bigger to clear the callipers.

[Mario149]

Manicminer said:

I had 15 inch winters on my 51 Cooper, you can use them on an S so long as it doesn't have the JCW brakes. If it does you need 16 inch or bigger to clear the callipers.

Only had the car a month or so, how do I know if I have JCW brakes?!

[Manicminer]

Red callipers with John Cooper Works decal on the side!

[Mario149]

Manicminer said:

Red callipers with John Cooper Works decal on the side!

D'oh! Looks like I have regular ones then.

Thanks for the help all

[JD]

I have 15" mini one wheels on my Cooper S, which I've fitted my winter tyres to, and there are no clearance issues.

[Mario149]

So do I now 15" rims arrives last week and had some Yokohama winter tyres fitted on sat, so all good. I actually quite like the look of the black steel wheels!

[s m]

Mario149 said:

So do I now 15" rims arrives last week and had some Yokohama winter tyres fitted on sat, so all good. I actually quite like the look of the black steel wheels!

Any idea what they weigh per corner? I wondered how much lighter the steels might be over the 15" Imolas

[Mario149]

s m said:

Any idea what they weigh per corner? I wondered how much lighter the steels might be over the 15" Imolas

No idea mate, sorry

On the plus side, the ride comfort of the car is transformed now that the tyres have a decent amount of sidewall

[mini turbo]

I had some winter tyres on my S Track car they worked well with the quaife diff and went everywhere in the snow such good fun? I bet u had a great time in the snow alps with yours

Me last Christmas