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Hi, so i sent my 17s away for refurbishment and have 16inches on now. I dont know if its just me that didnt drive my car hard in a while perhaps, but the gearing with 16s feels so much longer, on high revs it takes longer to reach 7k rpm. In otherwords, acceleration slowed down. Does smaller wheels do this?
What tire size do you have on the 16" and what were they on the 17"? I suspect that any difference is going to be 2% or less--not something you would really notice.
The tire O.D. would have to be larger on the 16" to see the effect you describe. A smaller tire O.D. would give you a lower effective gearing, making accleration more brisk, and reach redline faster.
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Robin Casady Bombadil: 2007 MINI Cooper S, R56, Pure Silver, LSD, Wood Shift Knob, Rota Slipstream 16x7, NAV, HIFI...
Well i had a 17 inch lightweight wheel on (215/40/17) now i have the standard 16inch on (s-lites) with the pirelli run-flats it comes with (thick profile). Maybe its because the 17s were lighter?
The weight is not going to effect acceleration measurably, unless it is extreme. Suspension handling is the biggest reason to go with light weight wheels as you reduce your un-sprung weight.
diameter comparison: 17"wheel setup 23.77 vs. 16"wheel setup 24.44
circumference: comparison 17wheel setup 74.68" vs. 16"wheel setup 76.8
The 17inch set up is smaller which in effect gives you lower gearing - theoretical better acceleration lower top speed.
The larger 16inch wheel raise gearing - hence your longer pulls
circumference: comparison 17wheel setup 74.68" vs. 16"wheel setup 76.8
The 17inch set up is smaller which in effect gives you lower gearing - theoretical better acceleration lower top speed.
The larger 16inch wheel raise gearing - hence your longer pulls
That is just under 3% difference. Would that be noticeable? I'm guessing there is a reverse placebo in effect.
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Robin Casady Bombadil: 2007 MINI Cooper S, R56, Pure Silver, LSD, Wood Shift Knob, Rota Slipstream 16x7, NAV, HIFI...
Well i had a 17 inch lightweight wheel on (215/40/17) now i have the standard 16inch on (s-lites) with the pirelli run-flats it comes with (thick profile). Maybe its because the 17s were lighter?
What brand and tire model do you have in 215/40-17?
I want to get the exact "Overall Diameter" of the specific tire.
I know that your 195/55/16 Pirelli eufori@ is 24.44 Overall Diameter, is taller than my current GP 18 inch wheels with Goodyear F1 GS-D3s in 225/35-18 at 24.20 Overall diameter. If you were to replace with 205/45-16 Hankook RS-2s ($75 at Tire Rack) your overall diameter would be 23.20 or the Kumho XS ($94 at Tire Rack) at 215/45-16 would be at 23.6 overall diameter.
Check this out: "Car Wheel Sizes"
Quote:
Originally Posted by ron-s mini
The weight is not going to effect acceleration measurably, unless it is extreme. Suspension handling is the biggest reason to go with light weight wheels as you reduce your un-sprung weight.
diameter comparison: 17"wheel setup 23.77 vs. 16"wheel setup 24.44
circumference: comparison 17wheel setup 74.68" vs. 16"wheel setup 76.8
The 17inch set up is smaller which in effect gives you lower gearing - theoretical better acceleration lower top speed.
The larger 16inch wheel raise gearing - hence your longer pulls
I believe this is correct.
My GP came with 18 inch wheels after the oem Dunlop RF 205/40-18 and 24.42 O.D. tires wore I got Goodyear F1 GS-D3s in 225/35-18 which were smaller in O.D. at 24.20. And then I got 17 inch wheels cause I wanted a smaller OD but thought I needed 17s to fit over JCW brakes and found some used track tires for cheap but they were 225/45-17 these big suckers did not even fit cause the O.D. was 25.1, they were bigger due to the "fatty" 45 series sidewall. For me either 225/40-17, 215/40-17 or even certain 215/45-17 would be better.
__________________ 2006 MINI Cooper JCW GP0019
RMW tune & cams*17% pulley*ITG filter*Brisk plugs*H-Sport Comp RSB*KMac camber plates*resonator delete*TSW studs/jack pads*H&R 5mm spacer*CT AX6 pads*Motul RBF600*RedLine*15x7 Motegi TrakLites2*Nitto NT01 205/50-15 BRG/W 2003 MINI Cooper S R.I.P. Sheila
Last edited by howsoonisnow1985; 10-31-2009 at 07:04 PM.
