I'm "upgrading" to 17s (with RFTs) in the near future. I know they will make the ride more harsh compared to the 16-inch RFTs I'm rolling on now.

I DON'T want to ditch the RFTs. I also do not want any sort of lowering (I have stock "sport" suspension).

What is the best way (not lowering wheel diameter or ditching RFTs) to soften up my ride?

 

Try a seat cushion.

 

Konis FSDs make a significant improvement. PB

 

Buy a caddy.

Mini will never be hushy.

 

what sunracer said

 

Why bother with the upgrade,it will get you a harsher ride with no significant increase in handeling ability. I say this only given that you place a high premium on your comfort and are not going to seriously push the car to handle in the extreme. Given this it seams that this change is for Bling. For the cost of the change you could buy 2 sets of near brand new wheels and tires in 16" (Take offs) on Ebay or on NAM's sale site. Sixteens with wheels go for around $500. Sure beats the heck out of this upgrade.

 

I agree, however, I really like the way the 17s look, and I am unable to find these particular wheels in any other size.

I don't place a HIGH premium on comfort - but if I can afford to make it more comfortable, then why not?

 

im not sure if you can really achieve 'comfort' running run-flats. you can
play with psi a little but from my experience running DSST SP9000's early
on, 2psi difference was only like comparable to maybe 0.5psi change on
non-run flat tires.

ever since ive been running 16's in 205/50 size non-runflats at about 34psi
in the summer time. it's comfy for the most part until i hit a rather large
bump. where my other car would absorb it, my MCS will be like BAM! take
dat ken!

 

Yeah my 16-inch RFs are not exactly comfy either...which, whatever, I came from a Cavalier on non-RFs and the ride is better in the MINI on RFs so it was actually an improvement.

Do you think I'm going to see a large "downgrade" in comfort going from 16-inch RFs to 17-inch RFs?

And thanks for the suggestions - looks like Koni FSDs are what I'm after.

 

If you have to go to 17's I'd say try them before you change to Koni FSD's. Why waste $1000 if you don't need to. All 17's do is give you bling bling. I'm on 16's with no run flats.

 

hard to tell because each tire is different. i would at least look for
runflats in the 215/45/17 size if i were you. atleast that will give you
slightly more rubber than the 205/45/17's i was running.... which was
the stock size on my R90's.

if you're planning to do the struts then i suggest you look at
progressive rate springs too... they do lower the car but the ride
is much softer than the stock linear rate springs. koni says you're
not suppose to use lowering springs on them, but im thinking about
getting the FSD's anyway when my stockers blow. (im running
H-sport springs).

 

get rid of the run flats, and get a performance tire with a softer side wall. I have 17" rims, had Yokohama Parada Spec 2...great tire, loud, stiff side wall. Switched to the General Exclaim UHP with a taller sidewall, 215-45-17 from 215-40-17 with the Paradas...made the ride much more comfortable. I am on stock dampers and H-sport springs.

Not as much performance and handling with the change, but a good middle ground for what I want.