I've heard the comments on choppy ride with the stock 17" wheels. I'm on a list for a new MINI S . Anybody got any explanations on this phenom? Thankyou.

 

I don't have an S but from what I hear the runflats are the main issue. Lots of folks switch them out.

 

>> I've heard the comments on choppy ride with the stock 17" wheels. I'm on a list for a new MINI S . Anybody got any explanations on this phenom?

Ricky,

Aloha and welcome to NAM.

The rough ride occurs mostly with any MINI that has runflat tires which would be all MCS (cooper S) and MC with 16" runflats. Runflat tires have a stiffer sidewall so that they can function as a runflat so the ride can be rougher especially on a rough road surface or over bumps.

Runflats tend to corner better than conventional stock tires. The runflats are quite expensive.

The stock suspension on the MCS and sport suspension plus (an option) on an MC are both stiffer than the stock MC suspension.

So if you want a nice smooth ride-
For the MC choose normal suspension and any non runflat wheel (I have driven the 16" runflats and that seems fine to me)
For the MCS choose the 16" runflat.

 

Hey Rick,
Welcome to the site,

Also, the 17 inch wheel/tires have a lower profile tire in order to keep the total diameter the same as that for the 16 inch wheel/tire. For example, 215/45/17 is close to the same diameter as 205/50/17 and also 195/55/16. 215, 205, and 195 are the tire widths. 45, 50, and 55 are the tire profile, with 45 being lower than 50. and of course 17 and 16 are wheel diameters.

The lower the profile of the tire, that means the shorter the sidewall, which makes for a rougher ride. Having a high sidewall gives you more air in the tire and a smoother ride. But the lower profile tires provide better steering response.

So, the 16 inch wheel/tire package will give a better ride than a 17 inch. :smile: