Here's my dilemma:

Do i get 17" winters to put on the rims i already have?

or

Do i get 15" winters and steel wheels?

I already plan to sell the 17" rims i have. bought them with the car, i dont like them that much (although they look better than steelies any day), and the money i get from selling them will hopefully pay for at least 50% of the 15" package.

here's a pic of the rims i have now:



Getting the 15" package is about $130 cheaper out of my pocket, and this is before selling the 17"s.

Only reason id want to keep the 17"s is cause they look better.

im leaning towards the 15"s solely based on the money savings...any advice?

 

As long as you have a GEN1 WITHOUT JCW rotors/breaks, get the 15'
I have Pirelli Winter p-210 Snowsports, 195-60r15 (H rating)mounted on a cheap set of 15" alloys (Primamax-Tuner).

This size fits fine with no clearance issues with my standard S Brakes (GEN1, 2005 S)

The size works well....within 1.5% of stock if I remember, and the 15" rims and tires saved a couple hundred bucks when I bought them . Also it makes the ride a bit softer (helps save the car and the driver) over those winter frost heaves and potholes!! This size is also pretty light and gives the car a playful/tossible feel if you will!!
There are better snow-tires out there, but the price was right, and in the rain or on dry road these tires still ride/handle pretty well for a snow tire and are quiet! Width wise...for an S these tires do pretty good IMO.

IF you get steel rims..make they are the right ones....or they will vibrate....on alloys they are called Hub-centric rings....on steele's...not sure of the name....but there is an insert to ceter the wheel on the hub....not the bolts. I learned the hard way....buy them from someone who knows what they are doing, and that know MINI's. If you get them from Tire-Rack, they have all the right info.

 

thanks for the info on the hub rings. never thought of that. i was only worrying about brake clearance (i do have a gen1 non-jcw).

another reason the 15" is cheaper for me is because im suppose to be buying the wheels from a 2009 honda fit for $100. ive read on the forum that some people have been running civic wheels without rings, so hopefully these fit. im not sure if the fit wheels will work (im testing them this week before buying, and im waiting on a email reply from alex from tirerack). so i guess we'll see.

 

If I remember right, Honda hubs are the same!!
I am not sure about the offset of the wheel...tire rack should have all the info. Great guys, good prices too.