I was reading the past posts on 16" vs 17" in the wheel forum. This is probably the toughest decision outside of seat options for me. Curious to hear what people are ordering on their roadsters and their logic. Looking at the roadster pic that arrived at the dealer, 16" rims do not look like that bad.

I'm leaning towards 16" as it will be a daily driver. Not going to mod it or track it, just enjoy it. If I do the 17" wheel it will be in the JCW aero package.

Thoughts?

 

If you have to take a 17" as part of a package, for example to make room for big brakes, I guess you have to live with it. The single thing I regret most about my purchase decision is the crappy 17" wheels and tires I bought from MINI.
If I had it to do over I'd get the cheapest wheels and tires I could as they're just taking up space in the garage anway.

 

I went with 17" wheels because (in theory) they will accommodate the JCW Brakes, which is on my "maybe someday" list. That's going to be a tough enough sell with my wife - if it required new wheels and tires, it would go from "unlikely" to "not happening".

I liked the 18" wheels on my JCW, even with the run flats, so the "harshess" of the ride wasn't a factor for me.

Don

 

The 17's will give you more room to get the wheel cleaning brush between the caliper and inside rim!

 

I chose 16's, figuring I'll get some rockin' 17s aftermarket with non-runflats at some point and use the originals for snow tires. I'd read enough about sport suspension + 17s + runflats as harsh riding so I figured I didn't need a first several months of that.

 

Hands down the JCW package along with the 17's is the way to go. I too thought I was going with the base package as a daily driver but as I look at this roadster more and more this car is made for this package. It's worth every penny of the $2k And it just makes a small car look bigger and meaner. And also I'm going with cloth seats. I just can't take heat wrinkles and cracks when the car gets a little older.

 

Thank you all for the replies. I am just getting back into the Mini scene. My first was an 01 dark silver S. My wife needs a new ride and she must have a rag top.

@ Selder and Island Don, not going to mod so big brakes is not a concern.

@ Ljmaddox, My wife and I do not mind the mini's stiff ride, but a little more give wouldn't be a bad thing. I guess one concern is giving up sportiness for comfort. Don't need a race car but do like to mix it up now and again.

@ ny yankee, One of the issues is with the JCW package for the S. It has the red stitching on the shift boot and steering wheel. I think I want to accent the interior with the toffee and wood grain dash. Kinda clashes with the red. The JCW branding items do not really matter so the package come down to the aero kit and 17s for 2K vs. The aero package by itself for 2111.00. As much as I can tell the package is factory installed/ ordered and the aero kit only is dealer installed. It also looks like the upper and lower grill are chrome with the factory as opposed to black from the dealer. The benefit with going dealer option is the black and the ability to do a 16" rim. Bottom line is the areo kit is a must. If I want 17s I would be stupid not to go package. If I want 16s, my only choice is dealer installed. Does anyone know if the quality of the install at the dealer is any less than factory?

The other items that are appealing is maximizes fuel efficiency and lighter more responsive. I'm surprised most, if given the choice again would do 16".

Cheers

 

Me personally I would never never have the dealer install anything on a brand new car. Trust me the quality is not there, while some guy who's trying to go to lunch rips your factory car apart. How many installs of that package you think the person who does yours has done. 1 ? if that, and he's drilling and screwing with home depot tools. I stick with people that do it for a living...Factory. And your getting the rims! and if you dont want them just sell them on Ebay you'll sell them in a second.

And the red stitching is subtle. You won't even notice it.

 

Yep, im with you. I will probably go the package route on the S. The way they price the aero kit only it is more money for less. pretty easy decision.

back to the color question.

 

On my coupe S, my MA told me that if you get the automatic trans, with the JCW package, you do not get the red stitching on the steering wheel and shift boot due to the paddle shifter type steering wheel. My car is almost on the boat so I guess we will see if that true here in 3-4 weeks....

 

Ty for the info but an auto trans is not for me..

 

Also that $2111 price for the aero kit does not include install, and theres a decent possibility its not painted either although you would have to check with the dealer on the paint...

 

Yeah my dealer told me that 2k package is an awesome deal. That the dealers used to charge $3500 for it.

Now colors. I really need to see a cooper s in blue with silver stripes and JCW package!