Is the poll for Gen 1 or Gen 2?

 

Well, 16 inch wheels are actually on average more expensive to purchase tires for, at least in "Mini friendly" sizing. Believe me, I wanted a set of 16 inch BBS wheels but held off due to rubber costs in 16 inch format.

17 inch will be fine for year round setup as well as summer only. You can find great tires for a good price in either 205/40-17 or 215/45-17, depending on what you are going for (performance vs. comfort.)

I secured a set of 205/40-17 Kumho ASX tires, which ride well, perform well, and look aggressive as well. Those tires on a set of Motegi SP10 wheels would look great! Motegi also tends to be a stronger wheel too, which will be good for your bad NJ roads.

 

I am not aware that the same tire in the 16" size is more expensive than one in the 17" size on average.

 

I investigated your comments and found that 16" tires are less expensive than 17" tires in stock Mini sizes. I looked at tirerack.com for OEM replacements and this is what I found:

For 205/45 17 Dunlop Sport DSST $340
For 195/55 16 Dunlop Sport DSST $190-$227

For 205/45 17 Pirelli Eufori $198
For 195/55 16 Rirelli Eufori $157-$167

 

purpletree did say whether he has a gen 1 or 2. The gen 2 are less prone to the mushrooming problems (to almost non). Besides, that can be solved with a set of Ireland fixed camberplates, plus get a fantastic improvement in handling (but that is off subject).

 

Leaning towards this setup on Konig Feathers... which are light and reasonably priced and Conti extreme contact DW:

225/50/16 - still wonder if it will fit...
215/45/17 - I know this will fit.

The price for both would be pretty much in the same ball park, so cost is not really an issue...

Now, I am wondering if the 16s (a bit lighter) with the slightly bigger sidewall will provide better ride and acceleration? I know the 17s would provide a bit better handling but how much would it really differ in the same tire...
...driving will almost always be local+highway and hoping to take it to the track some day... I have never tracked and wouldn't really be able to tell much difference at my level...
I know there is much debate on this topic but I haven't really found a concrete answer...

 

Tirerack list those two tires as having the same section width (8.5"). They both should fit. The 16" will be slightly lighter. The Conti's on the track? Maybe for the first day but they have soft sidewalls and you may want to run them at a little higher pressure. I would consider the Bridgestone 960s if I was thinking of tracking the car but wanted the all season and was not going more than once or twice in a season. Figure a track day will take about 5000 miles of life out of the tire. I have 5 days on a set of Yokohoma AD08s and they are 2/3s gone. I am thinking 2 more days and that is it. If you get hooked on the track stuff, you will want a dedicated set of tires/wheels. With that I would go to a lower profile than the 50s if you stay with the 16". And, Ya, there is much debate on this subject.

 

Thanks Eddie07S
I guess at this time the 16s make the most sense... especially with all the potholes in NJ... seems like a safer bet...

getting closer to a decision...

 

 

I don't know about you guys, but I would ditch the run-flats ASAP. I bought the Kumho ASX shipped to my door for $295 for all 4 tires from discounttiredirect.com. The same tire in a 16 inch variant would have been over $400 for the set.

 

Thanks, I do not have RFTs. Just used it as a comparison as it was the standard size that people are familiar with.

 

On TireRack and discourntiredirect, the 16(205/50) ASX is about $10 cheaper than the 17(215/40 or 215/45), unless you go for 205/40/17, which are a bit short.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=Ecsta+ASX

 

I run 195 55 16 Nokian Hakks on stock Mini wheels in the winter but run 205 45 17 tires on MOMO rims during the summer. The 17" combo has been a problem due to potholes and road conditions. My first set of Kuhmo's went flat and scalloped ALOT due to neg. rear camber and my current Pirelli's have a rounder shoulder but now the rims have cracks. My thought is that 17" rims which result in 45 series tires are just no good up north

 

decided to go with 16s afterall...
Now, deciding on wheels. I really liked the konig feathers with the red lip but it turns out they are not available in 16x7.
...so back to the drawing board... I am considering heliums or feathers in 16x7 now...

 

I just got the 16" feathers and couldn't be happier. It's the only wheel that gives the allusion of being bigger than they actually are.

On a side note, black wheels with red lips or pin striping are all I see at the cheap wheel shops in the ghetto. I only see those colors on ricers and random ghetto cars here in LA. I'm sure the trend will spread.