I bought the brand-new set of wheels and (MINI Continental ContiTouring Contact all-season, the non-runflat versions in the size 175/65-15) tires for only $235 including shipping. We absolutely love the improved ride due to the increased sidewall flexibility and reduced wheel diameter.

The best part is the weight loss. According to our bathroom scale, the old ones were 37 lbs. each and the new ones are 24 lbs. That's a total of 52 lbs. unsprung weight loss! I can't vouch for the weight savings being exact. Our bathroom scale isn't the greatest, but 52 lbs. is more than the equivalent of adding 3 horsepower (based on my calculations of about 15 lbs. per HP on the MCS) and it does feel noticably sprightlier. I also removed the rear parcel shelf and warning triangle, for another 4 lbs. in weight loss.

It does appear to accelerate better. We can't tell any difference in handling in everyday situations. That would be different if we ran it on the track, but this is primarily used a car for running around town and the roads are awful here in the area of San Antonio where we live. (The traffic engineers call our street paving "Texas pie crust.&quot We'll probably replace them with a summer tire when they wear out. (May even do a little autocrossing to expedite the wear a bit!)

Dale