I think I found the perfect mini but it has 16" tires and I am sort of torn because I like the look of the 17"s better. I don't want to purchase another set of tires/rims just need a good set that will take me through all four seasons we experience here in Chicago. Is either size better with all season tires for year round performance?

Also, I have a Camden edition that is calling my name but the "no sunroof" option really sucks. I am thinking to let it go simply because the car would be harder to resell without the sunroof. Thoughts?

 

I can't answer the tire question but i'll offer an opinion on the Camden. I have never been a fan of sunroofs. I've had them on 3 of my cars and used them infrequently.

I ordered my MINI without one.

Get the Camden. Unless you have a burning desire for the sunroof, Get the Camden!

 

On the tire issue. If you live in Chicago I would recommend that you get an extra set of REAL SNOW tires they make the MINI practically unstoppable in snow. All Season tires really do not do that good a job in real snow like you get in Chicago.

Us the 16" rims for the snow tires and get a second set of rims in 17" with some good summer tires then you will be good to go.

As for the sunroof issue. That is up to you just realize that there is not "solid" cover for the sunroof, it is a mesh that still lets light thru. You can go with Zippie Shade or something like them to block the sun totally or go with a vinyl cover but those are just some options. I have the sunroof in my car and use it regularly during the spring and fall but winter and summer it never gets used and is covered by Zippie Shades at all times.

 

Agree with the above post. I live in Manitoba (Canadian Prairies), I run 17's in summer and 15" snow tires in winter. I have a sunroof on my 06 MCS and use it all summer, sunroof is an preference. I just ordered a Camden with the 17's and the sunroof.

 

So 17"s with all season are undriveable in the winter?

 

No, I don't think that's the case. The all seasons that come with the MCS are more performance oriented than most all season tires. They can work for you depending on how severe your winters are where you live and whether or not your MCS will be your only vehicle.

Here in the mountains of WV and with the MCS as my only form of transportation, I went with a dedicated set of wheels and studded snow tires.

 

OK yes this will be my one and only car but we do have a CR-V with AWD I could use on really bad days when the wife does not wish to leave the house. In Chicago, winters are more cold and wet than snowy. I would assume 16"s would be slightly better in snow than 17"s

 

I just ordered a 2010 Camden and am waiting for it to be built right now, but I got mine with a sunroof on it. Did the dealer tell you that there was no way you could have one on the camden package?

 

I avoided the sunroof when I ordered my Camden. I really don't like the mesh sliding shade that still permits sun to shine in your face/eyes while driving. Also, I would say a fair number of people have sunroof issues (rattles, etc) and the occasional spontaneous implosion. Better to spend that money on other options in my opinion.

 

Yeah, I agree that the sunroof shade doesn't block the sun as much as I would have liked, but I still found it worth it. And I had an 07 mini until just recently and didn't have any problems with my sunroof, but I really babied it!

 

Take this advice from another Canadian with vast winter driving experience: "all-season" tires are actually "3-season" tires. Spring, summer, and fall. None of them are any good in any kind of cold or snow when compared to true winter tires.

15" "steelies" ('05-era Honda Civic rims fit perfectly) and 195-65-15 winter tires are what I use. They make the MINI very sure-footed, traction is amazing. Your 3-season rims and tires will last much longer and get less wear-and-tear because you aren't using them for part of the year (the worst part - the winter).

As for the sunroof, I've owned many cars with and without this option. My opinion - not worth the possible squeaks, rattles, sticking, etc. for the limited use it gets. Nice to have, but... not worth the trouble. I don't have the sunroof on my MINI, don't miss it a bit.


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+1 on this. I live in the Buffalo area, and was VERY uncomfortable driving my 06 MC with "all seasons" once the snow/sleet started to fly. I bought a decent set of Pirelli snows from TireRack, mounted on steel rims, and it was like night and day. A MINI is a little tank in the snow WITH THE PROPER TIRES.
Unfortunately, I'll be selling the 15" rims with almost new General snows on them ... they won't fit my new 09 MCS. I'm doing exactly what Schatzy suggested to you ... I'm planning to mount snows on the 16" wheels that came with my car, and I bought 17" wheels and tires from TireRack for the other 3 seasons.

 

Sunroofs are meh. I've had them on many of my cars and hardly ever used them. They eventually leak. You'll need to replace seals. There's PITA maintenance. I specifically sought out a MCSa withOUT a sunroof. I don't like the design of the Mini's sunroof. I understand why from an engineering/design standpoint they did it that way, but I don't like it.

As for wheels size, I have 17's on mine and I'll say that when I had a loaner with 16" tires, it rode a LOT smoother.

Regarding performance, it seems there are a number of people running 15's for the track due to the light wheel. So I don't think you'll lose any performance by downsizing, provided you've got your suspension set up correctly.

 

So you guys are saying I should consider the Camden huh? They offered to sell it just under $26k hmm

 

NO it is just that the one they have on the lot is without sunroof. I want to purchase a car off the lot so I can get a better deal.

 

Do it! Is it an MCS or justa cooper??

 

Its an MCS

 

Every car I have ever owned has had a sunroof and would find it hard to go without one. I have never had one leak, only once on my Volvo XC90 did I have to have it adjusted for a rattle- other than that they have all been trouble free. The MINI has a large sunroof and with it open it makes you feel like you have a semi-convertible. I live in the pacific northwest and open my sunroof all year long. The extra light that the roof lets in makes the interior of the car so much brighter. I understand that if you live in a really hot climate the mesh screen is almost useless, but there are covers for that. I would not hesitate to order one on a MINI.

 

I had an acura and lexus suv , both with sunroof and I don't even recall using it. I forgot I even had it. As far the mini cooper S I have, it doesn't have a sunroof. Less gadgets, less problems in my opinion.

 

I use my sunroof almost daily. It's a must have on my book

 

Actually guys I do not miss the sunroof at all. In fact the car is MUCH quieter than the demo I drove with the sunroof.

 

A MINI without a sunroof??????........inconceivable......I drive with the roof open any time of year.....if it's cold that's what the heated seats are for!
Philip