Need wheels/tires advice

[-merlin-]

I've been waiting for this since day one: it's time to upgrade my 2008 MCS from the original 16" wheels and runflats to 17" wheels and non-runflats. I've read many of the posts here, I've searched online reviews, researched on Tirerack, etc., but so far, I haven't seen anyone ask this question in a way that I feel is relevant to me. So, here goes:

My driving style is spirited occasionally, aggressive when need be, sometimes "normal". I love the MCS performance and like to enjoy that when the mood strikes and conditions allow. Isn't that average for a Mini owner? A note, I do know how to handle my car when it gets (or I put it) sideways.

Wheels: Everyone here talks about weight. I get that. I want light weight as well, and I can decide what works in my budget, but my question is this--How light is too light?

I see lots of wheels in the 18-21 lb range. How does that compare with what I have now (the OEM wheel with the 7, fat "spokes")? Do I need to go significantly lighter to see a difference with the new wheels?

Is a sub-17 lb wheel too light for daily driving? I'm good about avoiding potholes/other hazards but I don't want to be paranoid.

My MCS is my daily driver. I don't drive on the track. I drive 60/40 highway/city streets. I don't want to spend a fortune on wheels. A fortune to me means over >$225. ~$150 would be better. Any suggestions?

What are some brands that are generally higher on the list vs others that should be avoided?


Tires:
I live in Dallas, TX, and until I visited this site, I had no idea that people had different sets of tires for different seasons. Huh? Dallas gets hot in the summer, mild to kind-of-cold in the winter and most precipitation is rain, which, when it does come down, is usually a deluge.

So, what kind of tires do I get? I don't understand the difference between All-Weather and Summer and Performance tires? Does it matter in this part of the world? Are performance tires horrible in the rain or just average--do we get to go sideways when I drive through an inch of water?

Tirerack lists lots of tires as "Not intended to be driven in ice or snow". No sh1t. Who drives in ice and snow? Heck, they close the schools here when it gets 20 degrees and sunny! All kidding aside, what does that mean? Does that mean that the car is going to slide right down my gently sloping driveway the second I back it out of the garage or is that lawyer talk? On the rare occasion that we do get an inch of snow (which will likely melt by noon), I may need to drive to work. Do I get to stay home and watch the traffic creep by because my tires are "not intended to be driven in ice or snow"?

Again, this is my daily driver, not a track car. That said, I want tires that are going to last more than 20,000 miles. I want relative quiet. I want the car to feel good on the road and in corners--it doesn't have to stick if I take a turn on a city street at 85, but it does have to stick if I hit that turn at 45. Suggestions?

My apologies for the long post. I'm sure these questions have been answered before in fits and spurts, but I'm having a hard time putting it all together. For someone who cares just enough to enjoy what good tires and wheels can do, but not enough to get down into the nitty gritty technicalities or in depth analyses, this site is wonderful!

Thanks all for helping me sift through this.
Jeremy
Frisco, TX

[rmconner80]

Lotsa good questions. I don't have all the answers I can give you some info though.

Take a look at OEM wheel weights here (there's probably a NAM link but I found this first):

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_wheels_tyres

My first question to you is: why do you want a 17" wheel?

Don't rule out a nice 16" and some 205/50 tires if you want to save a little weight and money and still have an aggressive look. Just my opinion, but I think some 17s look a bit large on these cars (especially when you spot the tiny rotors behind them )

Regarding bending a wheel, it is a real but small risk that everybody takes. I wouldn't sweat it, just don't do anything stupid like dropping one corner off a back road at 60mph.

Regarding tires... it's all about balance (no pun intended). The stickier the tire compound... the more dangerous it performs as you approach 32 degrees and the less durable the wear. The more aggressive the tread... the worse it performs in rain and snow / ice.

Most high perf summer tires are fine in the rain, from what I understand.

Based on what you've said, I'd look at an all season performance tire. I've heard they are actually quite good these days.

If you will drive in sub zero temps during winter, you do not want to run summer perf tires all year round. Also, they are futile in any type of frozen precipitation. However, as others do, it's not a big deal to use your OEMs and run flats from November to March, and then fully enjoy maximum performance tires in the summer.

Popular wheels on the mini in terms of low price point, reasonble weight, and good looks are the Konig Feather, Konig Helium, Rota RB, Rota Slipstream, Enkei RPF1 , and probably a bunch of others

[howsoonisnow1985]

For street use you will be fine with 14lb to 19lb 17 inch wheel, like OZ, Team Dynamics, Konig, Rotas. Either the Ventus V12 EVO K110 or Falken Ziex ZE-912 tires are good year round. Too light wheels tend to bend easier when potholed. I have a 10lb wheels but use them for track only.