Ok I already know the answer to this but I'd love to hear your thoughts:

What do you think about 15" non-run-flat vs. 16" run flat. I'm considering drive, ride and look.

If you get the 16" runflat can you still put a spare under the car. This assumes changing to non run flat tires.

 

The MC has a spare whether you have runflats or not. So if you find the ride too harsh with the runflats you can always swap them out and still have a spare.

 

Totally depends on your personal priorities. If the look of a larger rim is more important to you than a more forgiving ride, go for the 16's. If ride comfort is more important, go for 15's.

It really is a subjective thing. For instance, I've never understood why larger rims are supposed to look better on a car. To me they don't at all - I just don't see the appeal. Plus it's my commuting car, so I wanted the most comfortable ride I can get. So my decision for 15's and regular SS suspension was a no-brainer.

But someone else might prefer a better feel of the road (including potholes) and the look of the larger rims. To each his own - that's the beauty of MINI! :smile:

 

You know it would be soo much easier if the dealer had cars to look at and test drive so that one could see the difference.

 

No kidding! Would make it much easier if I could have played with more stuff in person. I went with the 16in rims becuase I do like the look of a filled out wheel well. And I was getting most everything else in the Sport Package so it seemed to make sense.

Now having said that, I almost always change the rims out on my cars. To me, it is a fun way to customize the look. Plus aftermarket rims can be be so much lighter and stronger. I have dented stock rims on two of my BMW's just driving down 280 in the Bay Area. And the run flats have not received the best reception. If I could do it over, I would go with the 15s and buy new rims and tires when the 15s wore out.

 

I agree,


If I could do it over I would have gone with 15's and put aftermarket rims with non-run-flats.

I wish MINI would make 16's available with non-run flats. Never understood why they don't

Andy

 

For the MC you have a choice of-

Stock 15" rims (7 hole or 8 spoke design)

upgraded 16" rims - 5 star spoke design

OEM upgraded wheels- take your pick from 17" R90s to 16" R90s or JCW kit 18" wheels.

For the low cost and soft riding Continental 175/65-15 tires the stock 15" with 7 hole design is hard to beat. Good ride, OK handling, great for urban driving and long distance commuting. Very basic- save your money for getting good aftermarket light rims and non runflat tires and keep the spare in the back. While the 7 hole rim is the lightest OEM rim at 12 pounds it is a bit too narrow at 15x5.5" for using really good tires for autocross but you can fit a 205/50-15 track tire on which is pretty tough to do but works fine.
Falken Azenis sport (street and autocross) or Kumho V700/victoracers (track only) come in that size.

The 16" wheels with runflats do perform a bit better on cornering and offer a measure of safety for driving and not having to fix a flat tire on the road so for a woman who drives alone that might be an option worth considering.

Looks- it's up to you what looks good and whether one design is any better than another. If you go on function alone then the stock 15" wheels are good and cheap. If you go on looks alone then go aftermarket. Whatever you do think twice about the weight of a 17" stock wheel because it is heavy and your MC is not that powerful.

 

I got my MC with the sport package so it came with the 16x6.5" 5 spoke star wheels and runflat tires (plus a small spare). The main reason I got the sport package was for the seats.

For winter use, I bought a set of take-off 15" wheels with M+S all season tires. The narrower wheels cut through the snow a bit better than the wider 16"s.

After wearing out the 16" runflats, I got some 205 45 16 Falken Azinis for track and autocross use and found a set of 16x7" OZ Superleggera wheels with 205 50 16 Bridgestone tires for daily driving.

Works for me!

 

I ordered my MC with 16" 5-spoke for the look. I think the runflat goodyears may be a contribute a slightly harsher ride but when they're worn it's time for non-runflats.

I picked up a set of 4 seven hole 15's with the Continentals all-seasons on 'em with 12 mi. use at the dealer for $400. I got these for winter wheels and have tried both hard driving. From my testing the difference is marginal on the streets for "normal" driving the 16's have less feelable sidewall roll both perform fine. A lot of people pull the 15's for whatever reason so nab 'em at the dealer or check e-bay.