Hello everyone,

I was going to get Millie Miglia Spider II (Located at tirerack.com) I really don't know what size to get, the 17 or the 18??

What are the pros and cons for 17 vs 18??

I do know with 18's that it will hide the fender weild alot more, I HATE that gap it leaves with smaller rims, and with the 18's my Mini would look more Lowered from the side right?

17 are lighter, 18 are heavier, what about riding? the ruff vs the smooth? would I be able to handle corners better with 18 or 17?

Just some question I have before dropping down 1000.00+ dollors bills yaw, and if anybody has and pictures of there mini with these rims, by all means please post them in. Thanks for the help.

 

You need to talk to alex@tirerack.com first.

What are you after? Looks? Performance on the street or track?

You have to look at wheel offset with every wheel you consider. What kind of car do you have MC or MCS? The stock wheels for each model vary with offset and that will be a guide as to how you should replace the wheels. If you have an MCS
then consider wheels that have offset of about negative 44 to 48mm. With numbers less you may risk rubbing the tire against the inside of the wheel well.

17" vs 18" doesn't have to do anything with how large the tire fits into the wheelwell if you choose the correct size tire. It only tells you the diameter of the rim of the wheel or how much metal you may see. 18" rims are expensive, heavy, and while they may look good to some, they are usually matched with 35 series tires to maintain an overall size of tire that will fit for a MINI. Sometimes the width of the rim is also a bit wider in the 18 than in the 17" and that also adds to weight and cost and would make the tire too wide and not fit as well.

17" rims usually provide a firm or harsh ride and 40 series tires are quite hard riding. 18" rims would be worse generally. 16" rims would be less harsh, lighter in weight and cheaper per rim. And tires would be 50 or 55 series which are less expensive and smoother (sometimes less noisy too).

If you choose tires that are the "wrong" size (non standard for MINI) then your speedometer reading may be incorrect.

 

The bigger the rim the less aspect ratio you have which can lead to rim damage on less then perfect roads. They cost more, weigh more but some people think they look good. To each their own I guess. Are you looking for show or go?

Whats wrong with a good light set of 16" rims 10 to 12 lbs. and some lowering springs? You won't have "the gap", the car will get to speed faster and replacement tire costs will be lower.

 

Ty guyz,

I have MCS, and I never though of the spining ratio on Rims. I am going for Performance and look. JustGo4It you brought of a good point THANK YOU!!! I could just get 16, be lighter and faster, and just lower the car from the money I saved. The only question I also have is, 16" rims on a car lowered, whats the RIDE on that??? is it really harsh?? "bounce bounce alot?"

Thanks for all the info guyz.

 

Check out this thread Lowering the MINI soon...and I have a question.....

As far a saving money, lighter rims will cost more. You will have a beter range of preformance tires in the 16" size.

AK Tire Monza 16x6.5 $155 weigh 13.9 lbs from Randy

SSR Comp R 16x6.5 $299 weigh 11 lbs from the Tire Rack

I'm a fan of the SSR's. You get what you pay for. The stock 16" MCS rim weighs 17.6 lbs for comparison.


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Waiting to motor since 01/05/03......