So I have the opportunity to trade my 16" MSR wheels, for a set of 17" Fast wheels.
My fat tires, for a set of low pros.

Can I run 17" rims with low pro tires safely, efficiently, and without compromising the lifespan of my suspension, axles, driveshaft, etc.

Lastly, if you have them, post your pics of 17, 18, 19" wheels on your first gen Mini. If you were brave enough to go over 20... I'd like to see that

 

and, Does anyone think 17" rims look to big and weird on a mini?

 

I have 17". And the look and ride fine.

 

17 is about as big as I'd ever go on a MINI, I think 18+ looks weird. It's certainly been done, so it should fit fine.

However, I wouldn't put big heavy 17's on a Cooper. My car felt twice as quick off the line going from heavy 16's (23lbs) to light 16's (15lbs.) and without the supercharger, IMO this car needs help to feel quick. Reducing rotating mass is a big bang for the buck in that department.

I'm going to 15's soon, looking at some light ones:

Enkei PF01 15x8 et35 13.0 lbs
Kosei K1 TS 15x7 et38 11.4 lbs
OZ Ultraleggera 15x7 et37 12 lbs

Just my two cents!

 

I have the stock 17s. I'm sure they are wicked heavy. Almost thinking of selling them and getting some lightweight 15s. Really the only thing that stops me is the cost of doing it. But I'm sure the difference would be noticeable.

 

2pics...
The first is the way the MINI looks when I bought her, with Enkei RP07 18"

The 2nd is they way she sits now with Enkei EDR9 17"

I went down to 17" to get an extra inch of sidewall. I was living in the mountains in Colorado, and because of the weather, the roads can be brutal. I've since moved to Las Vegas and I'm thinking about going back to 18". I loved the look, and the performance was outstanding! I'm sure the 17" with some better tires would make a difference, too. I've got all season Yokohama's. They don't handle near as good as the GForce.
The thing I like about the EDR9's is that they extended the spoke on the outside of the wheel to give the illusion of being bigger.

 

17x8 ESM-004's I think 17's are the perfect size.

 

Blaxin, your mini looks great, what size tires can you put on those 17x8 wheels? I am looking to go wider, I have stock 16" wheels right now.

 

IMO 17" are the best looking wheel size for the R53. I went through a couple of 17" wheels myself but decided to go down to 16" for more sidewall.

 

I have 18" on my GP with JCW suspension and the ride is anything but plush! However ,they look awesome with the GP body kit, and they do not look too big at all. I have had 4 MINI's with every size wheel on them and 17" is my favorite. As far as having bigger wheels and wearing out the shocks and such faster, I do not think that is really a factor. Your car will ride more stiff the larger the wheels go, and really harsh if you are running run flat tires. 17" look really nice on a car without a body kit and they look awesome lowered as well. It just depends what you want. If you like to corner hard and possibly have a track day here and there, 17" or larger is a great way to go because there is less sidewall to flex and make the car feel mushy in the corners. The debate can go on all day, but IMO, 15" and 16" wheels are for winter wheels and tires only!

 

blaxin41 what offsets are those?

 

I believe they are 205/40/R17...if i dont come back and edit this then that is the correct size that I have. A little stretch to it so it just fits inside the fender arches.

Wheels are ET35

 

Riding on 18's they don't look wierd or too big.

 

17x7 - et 48 - 215/40/17 Nitto.
I really like the look of the 17 on the 1st Gen. But if you have a BBK, can be difficult to clean the calipers and barrels.



18x7 - JCW R95's - et 52 - 215/40/18 Conti Ext Contact. They fill the wheel well a bit more, and depending on design they can allow better access to calipers and barrels for cleaning/waxing. I have a brush I use for wheel cleaning and it fits right in there perfectly even between the caliper and wheel.

 

So true or false:
Big rims + low pro tires + lowered car = messed up strut towers and uncomfortable ride.

 

False. 17's on my lowered R53 and it rides great. Not sure I'd call it comfortable, but it's a MINI not a cadillac. And my strut towers are fine.

 

Strut towers get messed up with stock suspension, wheels and tires. Get a set of strut tower braces and/or camber plates and it's no longer a worry. Ride is subjective.

 

yeah, IMO the stiff sidewalls of the runflat tires is what finally "broke the camels back" regarding the strut towers. I dont think the designers had taken that into consideration while at the drawing board.

If you can find a used M7 strut tower brace, you end up with a two-fer. Tower defenders and a really nice brace.

I think M7 is still working on another batch so a used one is your best bet right now.

 

Hello, I'm assuming you do have 205/40/R17 since you didn' t edit your comment. Have you had rubbing at all.I have a Clubby and it's been lowered and I have been debating if I go to an inch wider on the wheels to 17x8. Any complaints at all? Your setting looks perfect on your Mini. Any advice will be greatly apreciated!

 

IMO you would be better off with 215/40/17 NOT 205's for daily driver....and tire selection better in that size.

Also a bit more side wall bringing the dimentions closer to stock for speedo accuracy, and reducing likelyhood of wheel damage. It's what I have been using on an R53 and would certainly be ok on an R55.

 

My car originally came with 17" R98's. I kept those on for a couple sets of tires, and then switched them out to 17" Konig Foils. Shaved a little weight on the corners.

17's look great on MINI's.

I also went with the Continental ExtremeContact tires 215 x 45 x 17

Prior to that, I ran the Goodyear Eagle GS-D3's. Loved those tires, but can't get them anymore.

 

Thanks mate..

 

I'm still searching for the right set of 17's even flirting with the idea of dropping down to 15's to save a little weight, but looks plays as much a part as performance does.

I was thinking of going with the classic mini look (similar rims to what the 70's mini's had) with some Rota RB's or Konig Rewinds. Or if anyone knows anything similar?

 

Resurrecting an old thread here, but have you considered these?

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...ll&sort=Weight

SInce you were looking for a classic look. Weight is decent, not super light: 15" are 16.3 lbs and 16" are 18.65 lbs. Might be a good compromise.

 

Thanks for the tip. I settled for a set of buddy club P1 wheels, 16" and weigh 16.5lbs.

For the classic look I was considering the Rota RB they're cheaper, lighter, and look like the classic wheels.