I found a local guy that wants to sell his S-Lites to me.

My question is, since I dont have a Mini Cooper just yet, and Im leaning towards either a 2005 or a 2006, would these mags fit my car?

2 Tires are finished, 2 are still good.

I found a good deal on 205/40/17 instead of 205/45/17 tires. Would that cause a problem?

Thanks

Kirk.

 

S-lites will be fine if they're a great price. Though they're about the heaviest 17" rims you can find.

205/40/17 is just slightly shorter than the standard 205/45/17 and will work without any issues. The differences are that the ride may bit just a bit harsher as there is less sidewall. There will be a little more wheel-well gap. The speedo will be off slightly as the diameter of the wheel is different.

 

They'll fit an 05-06, but they're heavy. I wouldn't pay too much for them - check out the For Sale/Trade forum to find some good competitive pricing.

As far as the tires go, you will be fine with the slightly different size, but I'd see if you can find something wider. According to this calculator, you can go up to 215 or 225 in width (not sure about rubbing) with a 40 profile and stay close to your original diameter.

Just don't mix and match sizes up. Do all 4.

 

My main concern was the wheel gap. Im not sure im willing to sacrafice that for a good price on tires.

I understand by reading on NAM that they are Heavy, but personally I just think that this is the BEST mag you can have on a Mini. As for checking out the For Sale Trade forum, well im from Canada and there is not too many being sold up here, and with the customs, duty, shipping, US/CAD exchange.... Im better off getting them up here.

Trust me, I dont want to mix and match sizes, I want all 4 to be the same size and the same KIND

 

You are from Montreal? You can buy remanufactured S-Lites for 265$ each. At the stealer they are at 500$ each.

Search pjacques on google

 

Why not hold off to you get a car?

 

Yes I know of Pjacques. Its good to know, but im getting these SLites for $500 including TPMS. Now all I need to do is get tires.

That is a very good question, but everytime I see a Mini it never has the Mags I like. Now, no matter what the Mini has, I know I have my S Lites here at home to slap on. The Mags that will be on the car when I purchase it will automatically be my WINTER mags. And if the car comes with S Lites. The pair that is worse off will be my winter mags.

 

I like the S-Lites too. When I went from a, '04 Coupe to an '05 Cabrio I was able to swap rims and keep the S-Lites that came originally on the '04. I would like to powder coat them a satin black, though!

 

Id love to see that, Satin Black!

 

s-lites and tyres weigh in at 2 stone each thats the weight of some people

 

Well I will have to go on a Diet to compensate for all the extra weight im adding to the Mini with my SLites

 

As far as the size goes... 205/40/17 is below the stated load rating needed for the Mini. Is that an issue?

 

I went to go see the guy today to buy his s lites that were supposed to be in mint condition. They had no tpms, and I do t think that there was not one mag that did not have curb rash ALL the way around. Geese I took the time to ask him about the condition before waisting my time.

Oh well. I will have to keep an eye out for some more.

By the way. Does the 2006 mini need the tpms, or does it still use the tech ology for the ABS sensor?

 

My November 2006 build S does not need TPMS in-wheel sensors, uses ABS sensors for tire pressure monitoring. I think it was introduced during 07 (2nd gen body style) MINIs

 

I was going to post that S-lites get curb rash like a *****, but it seems you've already found that out.

They must have different packages in Canada, because in the U.S., almost every Gen 1 Cooper S I've seen has S-lites on it. I think they're terrible wheels, but to each his own, I guess. Personally, I like a rim that doesn't stick out past the tire so much.

 

Curb rash is one thing, these were USED and Abused!

Im not really sure what the Canadian Mini S came with or not. All i know is that I like S Lites and to each their own in tastes.

 

Up until 05 there weren't as many wheel choices as there are now and the R85 S-lites were the wheels that came if you got the sport package. R84 X-lites (also know as V-spokes) were the 16" wheels that were standard, while the 17" S-lites were optional.

Besides the weight, I think they're beautifully designed. I love the history and how they mimic some of the classic Mini wheels and although some may call them cartoonish due to the soft bulbus spokes, I believe the look is strong and clean. They look infinitely better than their character-less replacement R104 Crown-spokes.

And as others have mentioned, all cars up until fall 07 (Nov build of the R56 I believe) do not use TPMS sensors and instead rely on the ABS to monitor tire pressure.

Good luck in your search. Depending on what color MINI you're looking for, the S-lites look particularly striking in white. Otherwise my second favorite 17" MINI wheels are R98 Web-Spokes (or on very particular cars, the R97 Flame-spoke or R91 5-spoke Bullets (optional on Cabrios only in the US, but available on the coupe in other markets) can be nice)