Hey Everyone,
My wife, Judy and I are new to the site and new to the Mini family. I'm pretty familiar with the forum format and belong to the Wrangler Forum for my 05 Jeep LJ and the Adventure Rider Forum with my KTM 990 Adventure.

The reason for mentioning this is just to say I appreciate the forum and knowledge of those on the board.

So we're about ready to hit the send button on the build for our (Judy's) new Oxford Green Countryman S. I was wondering if I could get opinions on 18 vs 17" wheels/tires? Also, as we complete the build I'd love to hear if we're missing anything. Here are the basics:

Countryman S
Oxford Green
Black top w/panorama sunroof
Exterior Chrome package
Cold package w/heated seats
Premium Package
Technology Package
Xenon headlights w/Black housing
17" 5-Star Spoke (silver)
Flat load floor

I was trying to keep this thing under $36 but no luck. Also, we just went with the black leatherette seats but polor beige door inserts. Otherwise it's pretty loaded.

Really appreciate anyone who's read this far and can wage an opinion or share advice.

Thanks so much,
Steve

 

Welcome to NAM!!
Sounds like you are getting a nice Countrymen and good choice with the 17's. Cheaper replacement tires, more options in tire, more comfortable tie sizes.

 

Thanks for the welcome, we're looking forward to it.

Agree on comfort and replacement but I'm also thinkng the 18's fill up the wheel wells a little more. Thougts? What's the cost difference - anyone know?

Thanks again for the feedback!

 

the OD of the 17"s and 18"s is the same.

my dad has a 2012 CMS All4 w/ stock suspension, 17" wheels and pirelli all-seasons

I have 2012 CMS All4 with sport suspension, 18" wheels and pirelli summer tires

my car is much flatter cornering, much more precise handling but does ride harder, tho not as hard as my 4x4 p/u truck w/ stock hd suspension and AT tires

dad's has more body roll and understeer when pushed, and by pushed, i mean DSC and TRACTION off, tires howling cornering in a vacant parking lot ... when it transitions to rear end sliding oversteer it is very sudden with very little warning vs my car that exhibits very little understeer until finally gently sliding the rear out into oversteer

i am very glad i went with sport sus and 18"s

neither of us has Premium Package or Technology Package so can't comment on that, tho both were choices not to get

dad's car has the auto climate control, mine does not, and while it is very nice and works well, i am not sure it is $500 nice

dad's car does not have the flat load floor, BIG MISTAKE!


both cars have the stock interiors, i have the antracite headliner, dad does not ... he likes his and i like mine

both of us have the HIDs ... A MUST HAVE!

dad has the sunroof, i do not ... i think it is a built in leak waiting to happen ... we will see, but the dealer told me it adds about 80 pounds to the car AND IT IS AT THE HIGHEST POINT .... yuck

scott

 

Really great comments, Scott, thank you!

This car will mainly be my wife's although I will drive it on occasion, weekends, etc. So, I don't think she'll need to be on rails around the corners or worry about top weight so I think we'll go with the 17's as planned. She is however, very accustomed to speed and as the picture below shows, she's had to live with me for 20 years of this!


She's also used to driving a high end Infinity so the little luxuries, for her are a must.

We have two dogs that go everywhere with her so the flat load floor was a must.

When you say HID's I assume you mean the Xenon Headlights?

Thanks again for the great comments and experience,
Steve