I'm getting ready to order up a MC, and don't plan on buying the 16" wheels or any after market wheels, either. I had a few questions, however, that I've seen mixed answers to spread out in various past threads and would just like to consolidate them:

First, is there any real weight difference or advantage between the three choices of 15" wheels?

Second, I've been seeing conflicting views on how wide a tire one should/can put on a 15x5.5; at what point (175? 195? 205? more?) does it become undesireable/unecessary, and what are the problems with putting on a bigger tire (and why would you in the first place? )?

Third, I live in an area where the temperature can easily vary by more than 50 degrees celsius in the course of a year and conditions can be just about anything (slick, snowy, sticky); are the stock tires generally adequate for adverse road conditions?

Lastly, and most importantly, is the fact that the way I have it equipped, the cost of my MINI would only go up by a modest $300 if I were to get the 16" wheels (I have everything from the sport package except the wheels in there, which comes to $1100 - the sport pkg. is $1400); what's the real advantage to having bigger wheels? I'm rather contented with the looks of any of the 15" wheel choices, and I don't feel that the 16" wheels are worth $300 just for looks. I've seen people saying that the 15" wheels are more comfortable and have better performance, so what's going on with people putting 17"+ wheels on their MINI?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

people like 17s because of the look

 

We had an MC with the 16" wheels, our current MC has the 15" wheels.
15" wheel pluses: light wheel (7 hole ), less expensive replacement tires.
15" wheel minus: some of the nicer high performance tires come as 16" as the smallest.
16" wheel pluses: Runflat. Its nice to have a spare and be able to get someplace safe to change it. Better choice of replacement tires.
16" wheel minus: Runflat - some people really hate these. Heavy wheel tire combo.

 

1) not really if your talking about the 15" designs only
1) 15"(holies) with conti tires = 24 lbs per rim and tire
....16" xlites with runflats = 47lbs per rim and tire
....17" Slites with Runflats = 56lbs per rim and tire

2) 205 can be put on the 5.5 and its not recommended to go beyond that for proper Bead sealing issues.(also a real PITA to squezee it on the rim) As for unnecessary, It depends on what you are planning to do with the car. For the AVG MC driver the 195 is more than capable to handle everyday choirs, Occasional spritied drives and to enjoy the MINI Lifestyle. If your racing then getting the most traction you can by going as wide as you can is the normal goal.

3) the stock Conti's are an all weather tire and are very good in all conditions

4) like Jon.K said .. looks. that and most car manufatures are going bigger and bigger on the tire sets. Making it harder and harder to easlily find the tire sizes you need instock. Just try and find some of the 10-12 tires localy

 

I have several sets of holies, and have run the following tires on them at various points in time:

OEM Conti 175/65/15
Yokohama AVS ES100 195/55/15
Kumho Victoracer V700 205/50/15
Falken Azenis 205/50/15

Personally, for street driving, I like the Conti's the best. The steering feel is nice and the ride is good. I haven't ever really driven my Mini in the snow, but with the aggressive siping on these tires and the narrow width, I'd imagine they'd do OK for an all-season tire. I have both autocrossed these and done a track day on them. They are worthless for high performance driving

The Yoko's aren't my favorites. They don't have the steering feel of the Conti's, not the grip of the Kumho or Falkens. They are a faster tire than the Conti's, though, and more durable than the Kumhos and Falkens. I did a track day on these, too, as well as a few autocrosses. They're better than the Conti's but not sticky enough to be fun.