Well I just ordered a 09 MCS. Got the chinchilla interior with the ice maker too.

I've been combing through this forum about tire and wheel combos and have come to the conclusion that there is little or no consensus on this. So here are my questions based on my criteria, my primary concerns will be ride quality, reduced road noise, dry/wet handling and long lasting durability. This will be an around town car with some interstate highway driving here in the SF Bay are in Calif.

So, I need a good wheel size, thinking 17's (Style I have no problem choosing...) and tire size and brand based on my concerns. Also I read a lot about wheel weight. I will not be racing at all, but am I correct in thinking that a heavier wheel would improve the ride somewhat or is that strictly a function of the tire? Any help in this category would be appreciated.

I also got the flux capacitor with extra dylithium crystals. Very cool.

Thanks all in advance,
Brian

 

If ride quality is your major criteria, go with 16" wheels and find some real tires instead of runflats. I've just got some Yokohama S-Drive tires on the MC and they are remarkably quiet and comfortable compared to the Goodyear Eagles I was running. (And the Eagles were quieter and more comfortable than the stock runflats.)

The S.Drives did give up a bit in wet handling (compared to the Eagles which are phenomenal).

A lighter wheel/tire combo should improve the ride, for the same reasons a lighter wheel/tire combo improves the handling, the tire gets to stick on the ground more. Smaller wheels give you light tire/wheel weight, non runflats give you lighter tires. Smaller wheels also give you more sidewall to soak up bumps. Non runflats give you a sidewall which soak up bumps (as opposed to a stiff sidewall you can runflat on but which transmit the bumps to the car).

 

Thanks, I had already decided to ditch the run flats. But there seems to be a wide variety of opinions on 16 vs. 17 and then what tires to put on them. Still trying to sort this out. MCS won't be here until April, so I have a little time to work on this. Any more input anyone?

Brian
Soon to be Mini owner

 

I personally find no problem with the 17" runflats that came with our car. They have the all season runflats not the summer. I find the ride perfectly acceptable. I like the idea of not needing to mess with flat repair kits and 12 volt compressors. I like the less hassle factor so it works for me.

Maybe my goat has spoiled me. That car has a stiff ride. The MINI by comparison seems pretty tame. I don't have the sport suspension.

I doubt this will help you much just giving you my experience so far.

Regards,

Pat

 

All opinions appreciated...thanks!