Sports Package, do or don't?
 

Hi Eveyone,

I'm getting ready to order my MINI and would like feedback regarding the Sport Package. The package includes Sport Suspention, DSC, Sport seats and 16" wheels with runflat tires. I want the Sport Suspention, DSC and Sport seats, but would prefer the 15" stock wheels with regular tires.

Cost is $1500 for the package with the 16" wheels. Ordering the suspenstion, DSC and seats separately would run $1250.

The smaller wheels weigh 13.7 lbs each, vs. 19 lbs for the 16" 5 spoke blaster wheels. Also, the run flats tires weight 23 lbs each vs. 21 for Conti 15" tires. So I estimate a total weight savings of 29 lbs with the smaller wheels.

Are the larger wheels with run flat tires worth the added cost and weight?

Thanks for your advice!

Jim

I went around and around about upgrading to 16's when I bought. My decision was easier because I wasn't getting the Sports package so the price was higher for the wheels alone (I stuck with 15s). Although $250 is not a bad price in your case you'll get a lot of people who will say take the money you'll save and get lighter 3rd party wheels after your purchase with non-runflat tires. Which from reading through NAM many people want to rid of as soon as they can! It also comes down to aesthetics and whether you like the look of a larger wheel more.
If you decide to stick with 15's and order the Rotator spokes wheels, they come with sport tires instead of all seasons. Just something else to throw into the mix.

I would get the sport seats, DSC. get the lower springs somewhere else a bigger rear sway bar, and get the rims and tires from tire rack.

What are you doing to do with the car? Will you mod it at all? New wheels/tires? Suspension?

Thanks! This is going to be my daily driver for work (I'll probably put 15K miles per year on it) and I doubt I will do any mods at all, at least not at first. I'm ordering the manual transmission and prefer the stiffer suspension and have decided on a standard MC, not the MCS.

It seems like I will get better gas milage with the 15" wheels and the tires are half the cost of the 16" run flats. Also, from what I can tell, the run flat tires are not repairable if you do get a flat. Does anyone know if these are more resistant than regular tires?

If you aren't going to mod (they all say that...at first... :) )...then get the sport package.

As for the run-flats...they aren't any more resistant to damage than a regular tire...but they are more expensive, and damn uncomfortable. You don't have a spare, so you'll call a tow truck anyway. I wouldn't risk ruining my wheel driving on Rf's, but that's me.

I faaaaar prefer the regular tires :thumbsup:

[quote=993james993;2239482]Thanks! This is going to be my daily driver for work (I'll probably put 15K miles per year on it) and I doubt I will do any mods at all, at least not at first. I'm ordering the manual transmission and prefer the stiffer suspension and have decided on a standard MC, not the MCS.

[quote]

FWIW, everyone's different, but considering it's a "daily driver", it's interesting that you liked the sport suspension better than the regular. I drove them both back-to-back and (to me) the sport gave a lot harsher ride than I liked. The standard was still a BLAST cornering with the stock 15" wheels, so that's the one I chose.

YMMV, of course!

We're going to order one (MC not MCS) as a daily driver. 15" all season tires. I think we're going to drive it for awhile. If we want a "sportier ride" we can lower and and aftermarket wheels later. Will use the 15" for snows in the winter. I'm concerned that the sport suspension will feel harsh day to day. We're looking for gas mileage mostly. We have other Sports cars when we get the itch.