hello all!

My Cooper is non-S cabrio with stock 175/65r15 Pirellis.

Do you know if i could just change to a set of mini stock 205/45r17 Pirellis run flat directly without any modifications?

What will be the difference and honestly, i just think 17" looks better and i saw the set of 205/45r17 from the net...

 

You shouldnt have any problems with the upgrade. As far as improvements...well, you will have a better contact patch but if you want a bettter ride...stay clear of the run flats....

 

Thanks for the reply!!

I just checked and seen the real stuff and i definitely will change the run flat since it is 2005...

 

17" rim
pros: more looks
cons: less comfort.

run flat
pros: you can sell your spare tire
you can install your spare on your oversized wheel barrows axle
cons: uncomfortable/rigid
loud as hell
expensive as poo
nobody really likes these tires... just don't bother.

 

Are you talking about using 17" factory MINI rims? If not, depending on when your car was built, it might have the new larger wheel bolts that can make fitting some brands of aftermarket rims problematic.

 

I hope you have driven a cabrio with the 17" S-Lites. These are very heavy wheels shod with heavier tires (you can do a search in Tire/wheel section and there are tons of lists of exact weights) - something like 51lbs per corner, versus something like 30 lbs per corner on your 15 inch combo. When I was shopping for my '06 Cooper, I test drove a cabrio shod with 17s and it felt sloooooooow. No comparison to my Cooper on 15s. There is a lot of debate about just how much difference unsprung weight makes - I've read estimates of anywhere from twice to four times sprung weight. If you like the look, and you're prepared to experience the attendant deterioration in ride quality and acceleration, by all means go for it - some really like the look of 17s. But for what it's worth, I think you would be better off with a set of lightweight 16 inch rims and high quality (non-rf) tires.