Ok so I want to know what ya all think about 16" vs 17" wheels.

I plan to order my MCS tomm and I will get all the items in the performance package. It costs the same weather I get the 17" wheels or not. The question is do I want them? I get conflicting info about it. What do you say.

Has anyone done a back to back comparison or switched from one size to the other?

 

is the performance package the same thing as the sports package?

i kinda wished i hadn't gotten the sports package, as ultimately i ended up selling the white 17" s-lites and buying 16" asa lw5 in white with avs es100's. way lighter, way better ride, way better performance vs. the 17" runflats ontop of the s-lites. and ultimately i think it woulda been cheaper. as those runflats alone are i believe $300+ per. my total package with s&h was <$1200.

i did like the sports package, but not the s-lites. i actually wanted the 16" x-lites in white. but couldn't find any at delivery time. and i found them hard to find even after riding around for a few weeks. got tired of the sport package 17's and went ahead and ordered my present set from tirerack.

once on, huge difference all around. weight, ride, performance.

if i had a chance to do it again, i'd only get the sport package if i could get the 16" x-lites in white instead of the s-lites. because it's a package deal, i don't think it can be done. only way around it is to hook up with another future owner who wants the opposite, ie. wants just the s-lites without the sport package.

 

This thread moved from MINI Talk to Tires forum.

There is little conflicting information about your choices for 16" stock vs 17" stock wheels for the MCS.

17" S-lyte rims with runflat tires-
Very very heavy rims with heavy tires- each rim/tire combo weighs 48 pounds. Looks good with the MCS, comes in silver or white finish. Shows brake dust really easily. Easily damaged by potholes in road- both rim and runflat.
Very high cost to replace either rim or tire. Performance of the 17" tire is OK maybe a little better than the 16" runflat. Tires are not as good as non runflats at a fraction of the cost.

16" X-lyte rims with runflat tires-
Stock wheels and generally costs less than getting S-lytes. Moderately heavy with 18 pound rim. Since wheels are lighter they help performance/acceleration but they tires are less grippy and not as low profile as the 17" wheels.
Can be damaged by potholes like the 17" wheels.

Stick with the 16" rims and sell the runflats or replace them with non runflats ASAP if you can or wear out the runflats ASAP. Change the brake shoes as well if the brake dust is too much for you.

 

I got the sports package which included the 17 inch s-lites. I didn't want them, but my MA talked me into it. Two and a half months later I switched to 16" wheels. Better ride, lighter weight, less problems with damaged tires and damaged rims.

 

i think the factory 17's are pretty cool looking..but they are sure heavy!

I prefer my 16's on my car, but I have 17's too which I bought with the car. :smile:

_________________
03MCS IB/B: 123, Aero, R90, SSR Comps, Milltek, Pilo Intake, UNIChip, H-Sport, Alta Swaybar...

 

I specifically requested and got to go on two consecutive test runs.....one with 17" and one with 16" tires. This is what convinced me to go with the 16 inchers....much, much smoother ride. Then after 18,000 miles I went with 16" non run-flats which made the ride even better.

 

I purchased the sport package, but requested the 16's in place of the 17's. The dealer agreed. They then could offer the 'take-offs" to someone else as an option. I have been very happy with the 16's, and would certainly do it again. While not the lightest rim out there, they are one of the lightest from Mini!

 

I just ordered an MCS and decided to do the same and get the 16" wheels. Did the dealer give you anything extra for the 17" wheels? The sport package costs $1300 but if you order everything but the 17" wheels you pay a total of $1190 and get the 16" wheels anyway.

 

The tires have different outside circumferences, which throws off the odo reading and everything attached to it (mpg, avg speed, range). Can the computer be reset to accomodate the change? Does anyone know what options the tech has in setting up your computer?

 

JPit,

My arrangement with the dealer was a straight trade. I got what I wanted, i.e. the 16's, and the dealer got 17's to sell or have chromed as an option for another buyer.

ermc2,

As for the difference in wheel tire combinations, the Mini comes with 15", 16", & 17" wheels. Aftermarket wheels of 18" have also been fitted. A useful tool is the Miata tire size calculator, which works for all wheel tire combinations, and will give you the error in percentages and corrected speedo readings. See here: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html