I have an R56 that I track a 3-6 times a year. I have done brakes, exhaust and swaybar upgrades already.

i have a spare set of 17X7 inch S-Lites and a spare set of 16x6.5 inch Rials that I can use for the track.

My first question is which is better for tracking a Cooper, 16 or 17 inch wheels? Why?

Second question is my 16s are much lighter than the S-Lites but they are only 6.5 wide? Which one’s do you recommend that I use?

 

A more relevant question may be
what tires are being considered to
go on the rims.

 

Available track tires are limited. I have not been able to find any for the 16s and only a few for the 17s but Im just looking online right now.

so it doesn’t make a difference? Won’t I get higher rpms with the 16s? My R56 seems to Peter out now at 5000 rpm now with 17s.

 

Here’s what Tire Rack sells for trackable
16 and 17 tires for MINIs.
Diameters are all roughly the same so
not much difference in rpms at redline.
I put down the weights FWIW.

205/45r17
Toyo Proxes R888R - 21#
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo - 19#
Goodyear Eagle F1Supercar 3R - 20#

215/45r17
Toyo Proxes R888R - 23#
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 - 20#

205/50r16
Toyo Proxes R888R - 21#
Hankook Ventus Z214 - 20#

 

As a quick reply, those 17" S-Lites are far too heavy for track use. Find decent track rubber to mate to your 16's. I run cheap 16" X-Lites (they are only 6.5 wide but are under 16lbs each) with 205/50 Hankook RS4's on track and am happy with this combo. Unsprung weight reduction makes these card happy on track.