Hi all,

I am ordering a new Cooper S Convertible and deciding on wheel size. I test drove a car with 17" conical wheels and it was quite harsh. I am very used to firm suspensions and actually like them (coming from multiple m-sport BMWs) but this is harsher than it needs to be IMHO. I can certainly live with it, but wondering if the 16" wheels/tires are noticeably more comfortable?

I am not planning on going to non-RFT tires. Also not planning to track it ever.

Many thanks for advice.

 

All other things being equal, 16's are going to be less harsh than 17's due to the taller sidewalls of the tires. But I would predict that you might not find any MINI on runflats riding as "comfortably" as m-sport suspended BMWs due to lower weight and less sophisticated shocks on the MINIs.

My stage 2 Dinan suspended 5-series was both firmer AND more comfortable than my sport suspended MINI. No RFTs on either though.

Quite a few people have reported improved ride with the FS Koni shocks on the MINI. Also with one of the newer generation Bridgestone RFT's. Search for which model.

 

I would suggest that you go for a test drive on a MINI with the same suspension options as what you would be using and 16" wheels and tires.
Drive it on the roads you would be using to get some idea how it would do.

Cooper S only comes with OEM runflats either 16" or 17"/18". Of these the 16" tire size is 195/55-16 and a little more comfortable but still firm riding.
That's likely your best bet. You can run tire pressures a little on the lower side.


For those that would consider non runflat tires-
17" OEM wheels come with 205/45-17 runflats. If you were to use 17" wheels and change to non runflats you can use 215/45-17 with stock suspension and choose a smoother riding tire like the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. You get good handling and good street ride.

16" OEM wheels can take many non runflat tire sizes-
195/55-16
205/50-16, slightly shorter tire diameter than OEM
205/55-16 slightly taller tire diameter than OEM, better ride comfort but not as crisp handling.

 

run 195/55-16s or 205/50-16s over OEM 16s for comfort; 17's will be heavier, both in the rim and the tyre, and that doesn't help comfort and ride quality. Also, if you're getting a convertible, consider all the strut braces to keep the chassis rigid

 

On my car (sport suspension originally), I had 16" RF tires on my winter wheels and 17" non-RF on the summer wheels. IMO, ride comfort was similar between them, but the RF tires had better transient response. My summer tires are all season, so a true summer tire would likely improve the feel of the 17's. If I was choosing between the two, I prefer the 16" RF as a trade off.

Since then, I replaced the snow tires with non-RF snows (which traditionally have a soft sidewall), and they feel too compliant for my taste.

If you plan on going with non-rf tires, that will eliminate a significant amount of harshness. I would recommend the 17's if you are used to driving M's.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Thanks for all the advice. I and my wife test drove both the 16" RFT and 17" RFT, and the difference was night and day. 16" felt more comfortable than my aforementioned stiff riding BMWs, while 17" was worse than any of them. And the 16" didn't handle noticeably worse. Ended up ordering 16" black wheels.

 

in my experience, raising the psi on the stock run flat continentals improves ride comfort. Stock is low-mid 30's, max on the sidewall is low 50's. Low (rear) to mid (front) 40's is where I run at and the ride is much improved. Maybe it takes you off the concrete sidewalls? I know when the dealer has reset my pressures when the ride got bone jarring again, sure enough, back to low 30's. I have 16" rims. 2012 hardtop S.

Good info on replacement tire sizes. Thanks!

 

Black wheels are pretty :D, good choice!

 

I agree completely for a runflat. Bridgestone RE960 AS Pole position RFT is the tire. This is the best riding runflat I have driven on.

Many owners abandon runflat capability all together in favor of lower cost and more comfortable ride.

The RE960, the 1st 3rd generation runflat on the market: offered a jaw dropping ride quality, outstanding control when on zero air pressure. This was our test. JMO