I kind of wish I bought an "S" --I mean I don't miss the extra cost of ownership, but I wish i could be glued to the rails a little tighter around corners.

So I'm thinking this spring, when it's time to take off the snows, I'll go with a set of seventeen inch stock S-lites (the early crown spoke design). I really, really like the looks of these rims.

So, can I replace my 15" holeies directly with a set of 17" x 7" S-lites running tires of original spec for those rims?

 

Yes you can. They (R85) were a dealer installed option for the R50.

 

Thanks. I thought that might be the case. Just wasn't sure if maybe the base models had different inside fender walls for some reason. (to make more room for...less horsepower?)

Oh and another thanks as I did not know they were called R85's. That'll help me find a set. (cheap)

Thanks again.

 

If you want better cornering and performance, don't get heavy stock 17s. I put lightweight 16s on my Cooper and a rear sway bar, also good summer tires. In the spring I am installing coil overs andeven lighter wheels. Its already greatly improved over stock and the next stage will really help in the twisties.

 

S-Lites are fine on a standard Cooper, fairly common here in the UK. Be careful mind, they are very heavy wheels, so watch your PAS pump as it will be worked harder, especially when steering at a standstill. It will also ride harder (much worse, the 1st Gen was never originally designed to run 17s), and your unsprung mass will be higher so there will be handling implications.

 

Thanks for all the helpful replies everyone.

I hadn't thought about the unspung mass issue. I knew, having driven an "s" of this vintage, that they will make the ride a bit more brutal, but that's OK most of the roads I drive are in really good shape.

As for putting 16"s on it, I can look into that, but I'm really fond of the S-lite/Crown-Spoke design.


EDIT TO ADD:
Boy, I see from this chart that the S-Lites weigh twice as much as my 15" holeies! (Giver-or-take the differences in tire weight)
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...heel_tire_tech

 

Yeah, it's no joke, they are REALLY heavy. I briefly had a set of 23lb Mille Miglia wheels on my Cooper, and they FELT heavy, it was a big difference in off the line acceleration. I went to 19lb Konigs and it was like night and day. The set I'm installing in the spring are 15lb feathers, can't wait.

There are a lot of aftermarket wheels out there, and nearly all of them are lighter than the S-Lites. Browse TireRack, you should be able to find something you'll like. On the Non-S especially, weight matters.

 

Talking from experience here, I had some s lites before I bought my Fliks. And the difference in weight is night and day. With the Flik wheel, my car is quicker to respond and the weight savings is nearly 9 pounds per corner in comparison to the s-lite. Aftermarket 17 inch wheels are where its at.