Hey all
My wife's tires are getting worn out and I'm wondering if it makes any sense to upgrade to 17" at the same time? I would like to see a wider and slightly larger wheels on her silver convertible, as the 15" stocks look very small

I've found a very good deal on a set of 2003 S-lite wheels ($160 for all 4) 17X7".

Would there be any major negatives to this?

Numbers below are taken from this place:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...factory_wheels



FROM
R93 5-spoke Rocket ET45 14.8lb (6.7kg)


TO
R85 S-spoke (aka LeMans, S-lite) ET48 25.1lb (11.4kg)


Any thoughts?

 

Adding 10 pounds PER CORNER will most likely have a significant impact on "quickness" on a justacooper... I would strongly discourage it.

 

16" wheels are lighter and the tires can be less expensive. But I do like s-lites.

 

Well,
I've talked to my friend who Auto-X and track his miata and he suggested the same thing as BlimeyCabrio - with 10lb extra per wheel, this is not a very good idea.

Since i'm mostly interested in getting wider tire and not thinner one, perhaps we will stick to the 15" (since they are quite light acroding to the chart in the link and put the widest tire we can on it (i think it is a 205/55/15).

What does the collective mind think?

Which wider tire sizes can the stock 15" fit?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the S Lite's weight can/could be offset by choosing a lighter tire. There will be a weight penalty regardless of the tire choice, but some of the 10lbs could be reduced.

Here's a place to start researching tire weights:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...re-weight.html

 

Perhaps, but I'm also don't want to spend money if I don't have to.

Since our current 15" are quite light, I don't see a point in replacing them with heavier wheels. Just getting some sticky, wide, inexpensive rubber is the goal

 

How about bigger 15" tires? ...like 195/60 15

 

Yes, that's what I plan on oding. Hopefully it will make some difference (visual and handling wise)

 

Lots of my friends are running on 16" rims because of the geography...they are running with non-runflats 205/55/16...

My wife's R52 are on 17" Bullet Spokes with Run Flats...they ride like bricks.