I live in the Northeast (NJ) -North Jersey - suburb. I also visit NYC often.

Any comments?

 

I've not ordered my S yet, but I am leaning toward the 16" wheels. I'm concerned that the narrow profile tires don't protect the wheels when faced with some of the pot holes in the area. Several of my friends have had to replace cracked wheels when using 50 profile tires. If fair weather driving is your only mode and if high performance is paramount, then the 17" rims wqith their slighly lower unspring weight make more sense.

 

I have my S coming in with 17s and also live in Northeast Jersey. If you have that much of a worry, just get the All-season tires with that.

 

>>I live in the Northeast (NJ) -North Jersey - suburb. I also visit NYC often.
>>
>>Any comments?

Im in MD, and I got the 16 std, with all seasons.. I dont think there is really a HUGE difference, I just didnt care to spend the extra amoutn.

 

I agree. I am leaning towards the 16". But, the style of the 17" rims are definetly nicer. I've also heard that the 17" tires give a rougher ride. I probably will get the 16" for that reason and due to the roads in the NE I'm not going to chance a bent or cracked rim. Thanks for the advice!

 

MINI's 17"rims are very heavy. Get the 16"s and buy some nice light 17's aftermarket. Lighter wheels will make your MINI much more responsive to inputs of the gas pedal!! That way too you can get performance tires on the 17's and have the allseasons on the 16's for winter!

 

I was very interested in 17" rims as well until I read the reviews in some of the car mags.. Car and Driver, Compact Sports Car, European Car, and several others said that the 17" look better on the car, but they still recommended the 16" because the ride was better and the traction was about the same. I would check out what these mags said to help you make or feel good about your decision.

 

Thanks everyone for your respones to my question. They have helped me with my decision. I have read the reviews in the car magazines and noticed that they indicated that the ride was better w/ the 16" tires.

Does the Cooper S come w/ the 5 star rims. My dealership said they do not. Please clarify.

 

I ordered the 5 star rims as an option on my Cooper, and I don't think they are an option on the Cooper S (at least not one that is specified anywhere....correct me if I am wrong, but I got the impression that they weren't) Although if you are getting 16"'s I don't see why they couldn't use those rims.....my tires are 16"'s too and I am getting those rims. I would ask your dealer. :smile:

 

The S 16" rims are the "V" spoke, which have a nice aftermarket look to them.
Motor on!

 

I was originally going to get the 17" on my S, but I really don't care for the look of the S-spokes. Since I live in Minnesota and will probably be getting my car right before winter starts (which means September) I'm going to go with the 16" all-weather tires. I'll see if I want to upgrade to a higher performance wheel when spring (which means May) comes along.

 

I am ordering a Cooper S. I really do like the look of the 17" rims but the ride is choppy. Since I live in NJ and the roads leave a lot to be desired, I decided to go with the 16" rims. However, I don't like the stock rims that come with the Cooper S. I asked the dealer if they could swap those rims (V Spoke) with the 16" 5-Star rims. After speaking with the service manager, they told me that swapping them was possible but it would cost me $600.00. I don't have a problem with this since it is cheaper than the price listed in the official MINI accessories brochure (173.75 ea plus 7.75 for each hub cap).

Ask your dealer how much they charge to swap the stock rims with the 16" rims of your choice.

 

I've ordered a Cooper S with 17" in NJ also. Bottom line - the standard 16" are ugly - real ugly :smile:

Oh yeah, I'm getting the ALL-Season 17"

 

minimojo,

" I asked the dealer if they could swap those rims (V Spoke) with the 16" 5-Star rims. After speaking with the service manager, they told me that swapping them was possible but it would cost me $600.00. I don't have a problem with this since it is cheaper than the price listed in the official MINI accessories brochure (173.75 ea plus 7.75 for each hub cap). "

That seems kinda silly to me..... Why not keep the V-spoke's and buy a set of the 5-star's on the side. You could turn around and sell the V-spokes for 600.00 and viola you just paid 200.00.
I could understand this price increase if you were going up to the 17's but your not....
Now if they let you keep the stock wheels and let you have the 5-stars for the 600.00 price.... then this would be a good deal.

Maybe I'm missing something here....... If not.... I think you should talk to your dealer again. Sounds like they are making some easy money to me.
SW

 

Sfiveten,

Hmmm...thank you. That's something to think about. When I last spoke to the dealer, I honestly didn't think to ask if I get to keep the stock wheels (which would make sense). If I don't get the stock wheels, then they could resell them and get paid twice.

By the way, have you ridden in the Cooper (or Cooper S) with the 17" rims? Is the ride quality as rough as I've been hearing? Am I correct in assuming that it couldn't be any more harsh than a ride in a 92-93 Honda Civic hatchback?

 

minimojo,
YW. I've heard of dealers trying to pull this scam in the past. By purchasing the car you are paying for the wheels that come on it. Therefore they are yours. If they try to give you a run around.... hand them the MINI Motoring Accessories catalog that shows the cost for each wheel the exact same amount. IMO there should really be no cost out of pocket for you other than labor expenses. Total cost for each wheel set should be 726.00 plus labor (this does not include tires).
I'm pretty sure they will try to balk at this..... if they do (if you can) simply buy the other set of wheels and resell the V-spokes.

As for me driving with each wheel.... I've driven a Cooper S with the R85's (S-lite 17's) and a Cooper with the R81's (seven hole) stock wheels.
The 17's are more jarring but IMO not that bad. I drive a Honda Prelude with 16's at the moment.... and the 17's didn't feel as bad as my Lude. To sum it up.... I say go test drive them... only you know what you want.
hope this helps
SW

 

Everyone buys for different reasons. To me, a rougher ride is part of the fun. I was attracted to that "go-cart" type of experience. A friend was with me when I went for a test drive and he thought the 17 inch wheels did ride rougher. I was having so much fun driving I had no idea what he was talking about. For me this car is all about fun. I understand the slighty better ride may be important to others, I'm just suggesting to keep in mind what's most important to you in getting your own MINI.

 

Great Advice!

16" would be more my style since, the ride isn't as rough. Unfortunately, there is only one option on the style of the 16". I agree that the 17" is a nicer rim.

oh well.

Thanks again.