Hello everyone,
summer is almost here in NJ (although doesn't feel like it) and it is time to get a new set of tires and wheels... on my last set, the tires needed replacements (Kumho ecsta - just don't like them) and 2 of the wheels are damaged...

anyways, my current setup is 215/45 R17s and I love it.
Now that I have an option to buy new wheels as well as tires...
I would like to get the OZ allegrita HLT 17" as they are the lightest wheels out there but they are also pretty expensive... about $289-314 per piece +s/h...

I like the looks of R108s, but I think they are heavier and not cheap either... about $245+tax+/- s/h

other compromises are motegi racing SP10 wheels which are cheaper ($135 each and weigh 16.5lbs)

OR
should I just go with 16" wheels which are by default cheaper and lighter and I can get a bigger sidewall on tires for the NJ potholes...

I am an aggressive driver but don't track (yet)... more local driving.... but lots of it. Thinking of getting continental DWS all-season tires (seem to be a great deal for the money)... 16 or 17"...

So, What would be the best option for me? Does the performance and/or handling change much with 16 or 17" wheels/tires? Is the weight factor enough to make a change in performance or handling?

I have searched enough and tried to read as much as I could but just can't seem to figure this out...
I remember there was an article in Car & Driver or Motor Trend about weight / size of wheels and performance and they used a VW golf for comparison...

Thanks to all in advance!

Purpletree

 

Are you looking at only summer rubber or an all season?

And I like the look of the Motegi's SP10s 17x7. It is certainly cheaper to go with 16" if cost is an issue.

 

I am thinking of going with all season and dedicated winters in the winter... NJ weather is too unpredictable... so might as well go with the A/S and avoid rushing to change into winters...

... that I guess would be an easier decision to make

 

I run Conti DWS 215/45 17 all winter and the ride is great. Would recommend it.

 

What's the "biggest" (widest/biggest sidewall) tire that would fit on a 16x7 wheel?
I am leaning towards the OZ Alleggerita HLTs for 219 each... they are the lightest out there and somewhat affordable...
...otherwise Motegi racing sp10s (made in China) for 17s... they are also pretty light...

Would this combo work? OZ Alleggerita 16x7 with 225/50 R16 on a stock 2009 MCS?

 

Not sure why you would buy such expensive wheels and run it down in the winter time. That is just me.

I am strictly in the 17" rim size camp due to my bbk so I cannot really comment on 16"

 

this is the summer setup... might just go for dedicated summer tires afterall... I have ASA wheels and Michelin Alpin PA2s 215/45/17s for winter...

 

I would try conti EC DW which is highly recommended in tirerack (which I have not used) or Dunlop direzza z1 star specs. Both are reasonably priced. The dunlops are more grippy and are used as track tires. I use them for the track as well but only as a wet tire.

 

I agree...
I will look into both of these...
I was wondering... if I would spend money on lighter wheels, then dedicated summer tires would make more sense...

 

If you do not have clearance issues, I would go with the motegi. Just not much use spending that kind of money for something a little lighter that you do not track.

I track the enkei pf01 with r-comps so I spent the money. But they have gotten a little beat up.

 

Purple,

You said you are in the NJ area. I am in the CT area. I am heading to WGI April 30 to May 1 for open track. Not sure if you want to come and sign up for novice school.

 

I would love to...
Can you give me some details...
Thanks

 

As I read more, I am leaning towards 16" wheels... better ride comfort and faster...

as per tire comparison tools, I see that 215/50 R16 is the closest to 195/55/16 which is Mini OEM size...

Seems like 215/50/16 with reasonably light wheels will give me a wide enough patch with better ride comfort and lesser weight at a lower cost than 215/45/17 that I would get otherwise... seems like a win win... What am I missing? (except there's not much choice of tires in 215/50/16).

"Just not much use spending that kind of money for something a little lighter that you do not track. "
... I feel that OZ wheels are better quality/build and lighter anyways... incase I do take the mini to the track... might be worth spending an extra $300 now and not worry about it later??? Thoughts?

 

I live in Montréal so I think I have the same issues with potholes except we call them ''nids de poules'' in french. This translates literally to chicken nests. I run 16'' all year except that I have a set on winter wheels with winter tires. Although it's mandatory here to drive with winter tires from dec. 15 to march 15, it's makes a big difference. I would never go back to using four seasons tires in winter (three seasons is closer to what they are).

I've also tried a MCS with 17'' wheels and sports suspension. This was not a good set-up with our roads. I think that larger diameter wheels have more an esthetic appeal than true performance value. I would prefer a 16'' wheel with wider rims such as 7''.

My choice would be to buy new 16'' x 7'' wheels plus high perf. summer tires
also buy a set of used 16''x6.5'' wheels with dedicated winter tires in 195-55-16

 

My thoughts exactly. 205/50/16 is certainly a more comfortable ride than 215/45/17 which I have. Glad to be going back to 16's and really don't mind the look. The mini is such a small car that 16's look appropriate.

 

Try it first to see if you like it.

The Novice School is with trackmasters (www.trackmasters.com). You have to sign up for both days. The novice school is run April 30 to May 1, Sat and Sunday. I am running open track with a few Mini friends and Eddie is going to school as well. We will have some friends also running Porsches, BMWs and open wheel racers.

There is not a lot of time to get ready for this so you have to decide ASAP. I will give you a rundown on what you will need if you sign up.

 

My 2 cents....
I run the 16" for the winter mostly for the pot holes, as you say. For all season tire...I realy like the Bridgestone G019. I have driven them in some pretty nasty snow stroms (I'm a skier). The G019s are have a touch more noise but handle really well; no feeling of soft sidewalls. Have them on stock wheels. My other Mini has the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position, which a really nice tire (also an all season); handles really well, really quiet, a great wet tire and ok in the snow. I would think that a wider tire on a wider wheel would be a good setup. I have gone to 17" for the summer...will see how that works out.

 

...On call that weekend... will have to skip this one for now. But, now I know and will start planning... Thanks

 

Have you tried the 17" yet? How do you like them?

 

Kind of tell us when you are ready. Eddie, s-driver, claymore,GKP, suss, VV among other mini track junkies can all help out and show you the ropes if we are there.

 

Awesome! Thanks

 

I recently downsized from 17s to 16s. My former tires were Nitto Neo Gen 215/40R17. They were more comfortable than the F1 GSD3 I had before. I now use RE11 205/50R16 which are slightly more comfortable even with the stiffer side walls. The 2 main reasons for the switch are added comfort & cheaper high-performance tires

 

I put them on earlier this month. Have Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport 215-45x17 on the Enkei wheels (see signature) and the combination is about 2# lighter per wheel than the stock 16". But, at the same time, I put in a set of Wilwood BBKs which are a lot lighter than the stock brakes. All of this reduces the unsprung weight and makes the car ride much better than it did with the stock S-lites I had before (The S-lites are really heavy and I didn't use them on the road because of the ride issues). The ride now probably matches the stock 16" wheels. The car doesn't "crash" as much now with pot holes and pot hole patches. I also just put in a set of Koni FSDs and for a short test run the ride seemed to be futher improved (haven't run over any real potholes yet )

The main point to my rambling is that lighter and less unsprung weight is better for whatever you go with.

BTY - I read that CAR and Driver artical too. The rotating mass difference of 10# per wheel works out to be the equivalent of about 6hp...just a little geek work

 

the mushrooming poll could be interpreted as evidence that in the face of les nids de poules the 16" setup may be a better long term choice.

 

whoa!!!