Is it just a simple swap or are there suspension differences?

 

Simple swap. Only caveat is what year is your car? The earlier years used a 12mm diameter lug, sometime toward the end of the 2006 model year BMW switched to a 14 mm lug. As long as you're not trying to fit a rim with the 12 mm pattern on the 14 mm lug, you'll be fine.

 

I havent bought the car yet but the 03 I looked at had the X-Lites. This is good info to know though. Thanks.

 

Found this: Can all OEM wheels be fitted to either generation MINI?
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...wheel_fitments

 

No worries then, you're fine. The X-lites will fit just fine, and it's worth doing, just for the weight savings alone. What's more important than the rim diameter is the overall diameter of the wheels and tires--you can go to a 16 inch rim and actually increase overall rolling diameter...

But if you stay with an OEM sized tire, the overall rolling diameter will be virtually identical between a 16 and 17 inch rim/tire combo.

What you may notice is slightly improved acceleration due to the decrease in unsprung weight, and you will almost definitely notice the ride is improved with the 16's.

 

I think OP wants to go to S-Lites (LeMans) from X-Lites (Monza).
So OP do you want to trade your R84 X-Lites at 17.6lb for R85 S-Lites at 25.1?

Besides the 7.5 pounds per corner lighter, you also get tires cheaper for 16s, too, you know? Keep the X-Lites until you save for some nice lightweight 17' wheels that you love from Tire Rack, then keep X-Lites for winters or for track/auto-x events.

Check out NAM Marketplace they got some nice light Motegi TrackLites 14.3lbs too:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ct/6455/cat/46
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ct/6509/cat/46
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ct/6583/cat/46
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ct/6348/cat/46

 

Oh man, if I got that backwards, I'm sorry--I thought you were going from s-lites to x-lites, my bad. I agree completely with the above post--from a performance standpoint, the x-lites are the way to go. On the other hand, I have some nice S-lites I'm going to put up for sale....

 

Yes, assuming I buy this car I'd go from X-Lites to S-Lites. The reason? They just look a whole lot better. Of all the OEM wheels, they look the best to me. Sure, I could go aftermarket but I think my modding days are behind me now. I'm not racing the car so either way I probably wouldn't notice the difference. Also, when the day comes to sell off the car (and I will sell it eventually) it will fetch higher value if it's kept stock. I'm learning that the hard way with my current car.

 

If it were me I would stay with the x-lites for these reasons:

First is you would be able to keep the good acceleration, braking and ride that lighter weight wheels provide.
Second is with lighter wheels, and non-run flat tires, there's a lessened chance of strut tower mushrooming.
Third is the suspension will be less stressed and react better with the lighter weight wheels.
So if your dead set on the S-lite look you might consider MiniLites or Rota RB's.
Both weight about 18lbs and the MiniLites are hub centric.

And lastly you will feel the difference as those of us the went from heavy to light can attest.

Hope this helps...