The old adage says

"If you have one clock, you always knows what time it is exactly, but if you have two clocks, you never know what time it is exactly"

Well....

I'm about to place my order for my 04 IB/W MCS and I'm torn. 16" or 17" wheels.

I've read all the threads and the arguments:

16" lighter, more comfortable ride, but narrower and less grippy (OEM tires anyway)
17" heavier, stiffer ride, but better cornering and better looking wheels

I'm planning on getting better wheels/tires for Auto-X in the future. Also, I'm still planning on getting all the other options in the Sports Package, so the price for the car is the same (within 80 bucks or so). So, what to do???

Choices.... Choices....Just like the story of the two clocks. One wheel, no problem, two wheels, problem.

OK, so I know I'm whining I just needed to vent.

Any thoughts (besides "shut up and stop whining" )

Spike

 

>>16" lighter, more comfortable ride, but narrower and less grippy (OEM tires anyway)
>>17" heavier, stiffer ride, but better cornering and better looking wheels
>>
>>I'm planning on getting better wheels/tires for Auto-X in the future. Also, I'm still planning on getting all the other options in the Sports Package, so the price for the car is the same (within 80 bucks or so). So, what to do???
>>
>>Spike

Hey Spike,
You seem to have done your research :smile:

Give alex of tirerack a call... he's a great guy and will give you tons of info :smile:

Find someone local w/ a rim/tire setup you like and ask them to give you a test drive....
You need to " feel" it beofre you buy it IMHO

Peace,
D



_________________
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

Just to keep ya in the middle, I would absolutely not get the 17" rims. The ride sucks and the handling is quick, but the traction suffers. I just got rid of my s-lite's and runflats and couldn't be happier. Most of the car magazines lambasted the handling with the 17's. Just too darty, not grippy and too bouncy (too much unsprung weight). Very very few people race the stock 17. Some do race the 17 (mini spec) but most autox are running the 16's. Just my two cents, but I wish I could have saved the $500 bucks and just gotten the 16's . That would have also saved me from the SSR's (ok maybe I would have gotten them anyway).

Good luck,

Uber

 

I recommend the 16" wheels, I dont care for the s-lite look. the 16's are cheaper to buy tires for in general, and you can just get some tirerack equipment to find your perfect place.

 

for what it's worth,

I have the 16" V-spokes (white) with SP5000 RFs on my MCS.
At the track, and on some seriously twisty roads, the 17" MINIs were not even a wee bit faster in the corners, and off the line my MCS is faster! Admittedly, my tires chirped more in extreme corners, but that was about all the difference! You rarely get to the point, I would imagine, where you can really take advantage of the additional grip of the 17's to the extent of gaining more than you lose through their added weight. Just my 2c.
Plus, I actually like the looks of the V-spokes more than the S-lites.
Even with the 16" runflats, the ride on the substandard TX roads is so stiff that I've about had it and am sooner or later going to switch to non-RFs. Probably a cost compromise, such as NZO Monza with Falken Azenis. I will keep the V-spokes with RFs for long distance trips.

Cheers,
Markus

 

I bought the car with 16's, then sold the wheels and tires and bought 17" aftern market wheels. I went withthe bigger wheels to clear planned brake upgrades. If I was staying with stock brake calipers then I would stay with the 16" wheels for all the reasons that have been stated, but still go to aftermarket wheels and tires.

Good choice on the colors!