Does the MCS handle noticeable different when equipped with the standard 16" wheels vs the standard 17" wheels that are offered by Mini?

I like the look of the larger wheels with the lower profile tires, but I'm not sure that the look alone is worth the extra expense. My concern is not only the price of the wheels, but the price of the tires.

Please note that I have no interest in getting aftermarket wheels.

 

You will get better lateral grip with wider tires on a 17" as opposed to the narrower tires on a 16", assuming you use the same brand and model of tire. But a narrower tire on the 16" will afford you better steering responce and a nippy feel. The wider tire on the 17" will give better traction for acceleration and breaking. Now, too wide of a tire on a narrow rim will make the tire balloony and will ruin the steering responce, as well as increase dive.

 

Under normal driving both stock 16 and 17" runflats are similar. Slightly more comfort with 16" on less smooth roads- tires are 195/55-16 vs 205/45-17.

45 series sidewall is much stiffer- poor roads would put you are risk for tire and rim damage.

Take an MCS for a test drive using each tire and see for yourself on roads in your area.

For comfort you have many more options with 16" wheels-
195/55-16 is mostly runflats.
205/50-16 is good
205/55-16 is usable with stock suspension and a little taller than stock
You can still add some sizes that will fit and offer more performance but smaller tire diameter so more wheel gap. 215/45-16

205/45-17 is stock but 215/45-17 will work. 215/40-17 is smaller than stock and has a stiffer ride with higher cost.