JCW MCS Long-term Review: Part 4

Sections: JCW | R53 (Coupe) | Reviews Jul 8th, 2006 18 Comments

As I’ve mentioned previously, The JCW MCS that I’m currently testing is shod with the new black R105 18″ JCW wheels with standard spec Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST runflats. And I have to mention that I’ve really grown to like the look. I’m not sure if it would work on a black car like my own MCS, but on Chili Red and White it gives the car a very racy, spirited feel. But don’t think that, just because they’re black, they can’t get dirty.

I get asked often about the OEM 18″ wheel tire combination and if it’s worth the money. The easy answer is no. You simply can’t logically justify the performance benefits considering the price when there’s other fantastic 18″ options out there at 2/3rds the price. No, the real reason to get them is because you simply can’t imagine not having them on your MINI and you love the look. And as long as you have the coin to drop, it’s a great investment in happiness if nothing else.

Now that said there is one way you can improve the OEM set-up right out of the box; skip the runflats. The Dunlop SP Sport 01s that come with the JCW 18″s aren’t bad tires, they’re just not great. And considering the huge improvement in ride quality non-runflats make to any wheel on the MINI, it’s really a no brainer. That is, as long as you have a charged cell phone and the number for roadside assistance handy.

Written By: Gabe

http://www.gbmini.net Ian C.

So let’s see some recommended aftermarket 18″ tires …
j

i still feel a black/ checkered roof and stripe combo would go better
matt

i have Bridgestone RE750′s with about 20 miles on them. they ride pretty well so far.
nrkist

You simply canÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t logically justify the performance benefits considering the price…

Which performance benefits would those be? I believe you’re looking at negatives across the board. The 18s are heavier with more rotating mass closer to the outside of the wheel. No goodness to be found there.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Please refer to the other (countless) discussions on large and small wheels on this site and others. I’m not going to repeat entire articles or reviews in the comment section of a post.
JustJay

I just bought the R105′s in the silver finish and the reason I bought them is that even though they are OEM’s they are unique in that very few people have them. I totally understand that other 18′s out there are much less expensive, but that fact is that most people out there buy the same “style” of wheels. In essence the aftermarket wheel looks non-unique and “OEM” ish.
dr

WOW….Those wheels absolutely must have a bigger brake kit installed. Makes those stock brakes look embarrasingly small
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

WOWÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦.Those wheels absolutely must have a bigger brake kit installed. Makes those stock brakes look embarrasingly small

You’re looking at the rear of the car in both pictures… the last place you want big brakes on the MINI. The front (which you can’t see) has the larger JCW brakes rotors.
nrkist

Please refer to the other (countless) discussions on large and small wheels on this site and others. IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m not going to repeat entire articles or reviews in the comment section of a post.

Sorry Gabe, didn’t mean to touch a nerve there. I’ve just never read of any performance benefits from big wheels. Could you point me to a post where this is discussed? Searching MF didn’t work for me. Thanks!
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve never read of any performance benefits from big wheels.

The same reasons that series such as DTM, WTCC, JGTC, JTCC, ALMS, LM P1, LM P2, LM GT1, LM GT2 and WRC all use large wheel sizes and small tire sidewalls. If you really want to learn more I’d recommend doing some digging around this and other websites.
Woodster

Best aftermarket tire in my book is the BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2. They are a bargain at $157 each for 18″ and they are STICKY!!! Now I need recaro seats….
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I’m a big fan so far of my brand-new Kumho ECSTA SPTs. At under $100 each they’re also a smoking deal.
Mark

Any recommendations for a fix-a-flat system just in case the cell phone isn’t fully charged?
tsukiji

Any recommendations for a fix-a-flat system just in case the cell phone isnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t fully charged?

A bottle of Slime and a 12v inflator should be adequate.
STEVE

black R105 18ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â³ JCW wheels with standard spec Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST runflats. And I have to mention that IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve really grown to like the look. IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m not sure if it would work on a black car like my own MCS

GABE, JUST SWAP THE WHEELS ON TO YOUR CAR AND TAKE A LOOK SEE AT HOW THE COMBO WOULD WORK.
ohmarkm

I agree with the review. I got the black R105s with Dunlops for my MCS and love them. They look much racier than my old set of white 17″ R85s, and blend well with the black molding on the side sills, wheel wells, and bumpers. I do see the brake dust buildup after a while — a dark brownish coating — but it’s not nearly as visible as the buildup on my white R85s.

Sure, I could have gotten a better deal on lighter wheels and grippier tires, but the R105s have the OEM look, and I like the JCW badge on the wheel caps. The Dunlops are ok — much better (and a little quieter) than the Eagle RS-As on my R85s, but could have more grip. I hardly notice the difference in the ride quality between the RS-As and the Dunlops.

The R105s also really do make the brake rotors look small, even the 11.9″ JCW front rotors. But the red front calipers shine nicely through the spokes. I only wish that the rotors were a tad bigger and cross-drilled.
somake

IAORANA

Yes black is beautiful ..so are R105 on a white mini black top !! easy to clean , inside ,backside . The red of jcw brakes looks fine . But yes can seem small but are really outstanding . My dunlops are getting weak on sides at 6200km . Looking for new tires . In 205/40/18 only got dunlop runflats . Or michelin pilot non runflat . Seems good ? Otherwise should change to 215/35/18 to have more choice ? Going for infos on forums … Anyway my new jcw 210 is really better than my red jcw200 . Love the whistle of the air box at 4500rpm .. lovely !! But most of all , seems really sticked to the road . amazing . so easily . no tricks . just corner . Would love to have a little more hp and TORQUE !!! U know what ? i’m happy !!!!
nrkist

Somake – You can get Toyo Proxes 4, Yoko Parada Spec 2, Nitto Neo Gen, in 205/40-18. Also look into 215/40, only slightly taller than OEM.

← JCW MCS Long-term Review: Part 3 Evo Puts the GP Through its Paces →

Sort by MINI model

Recent BimmerFile Stories

MINI Model Cheat Sheet

1st Gen MINI
R50: One & MC Hatch
R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt.
R53: MCS Hatch
2nd Gen MINI
R55: Clubman
R56: Hatch
R57: Convertible
R58: Coupe
R59: Roadster
R60: MINI Crossover
R61: MINI Crossover Coupe
3rd Gen MINI
F55: Clubman
F56: Hatch
F57: Convertible
F60: MINI Crossover
F62: Traveller

Advertise with MotoringFile

If you or your company are interested in advertising on the most influential MINI website in the world, please visit our Advertising section. If you have further questions about becoming a sponsor or would like to see our rate sheet please feel free to contact us directly.