Guys, I found a set of used, what appear to be R83 wheels. You can see them in the link:
http://libraryofmotoring.info/facts/wheels/

They are the first 16x6.5 rims listed and the advertiser lists them as such. I'm puzzled though as I look around the web for images, because I only see this rim shown on base models, not the S. Does anybody know why that would be? They are actually 16x6.5, right?

Jeremy

 

R84 wheels were standard equipment on the Cooper S. R83 wheels were optional equipment on the Cooper but you couldn't order them on the Cooper S, at least in the US market.

Both these wheels are 16x6.5 but the R84 wheels are lighter.

 

OEM MINI 16" wheels whether for the R50 or R53 will fit both. Problem was when JCW made larger front brake calipers then some wheels would not clear the calipers including all OEM 15" wheels.

I have a 2003 MCS that fits 15" OEM wheels and I use them for daily driving.

16" OEM wheels tend to be lighter than OEM 17" wheels which are more in the 20-24 lbs range. Each wheel is different in weight so check the exact one you are considering.

Heavy OEM rim and heavy runlet tire spells sluggish handling and performance. A light weight wheel and tire combo is more easily moved when starting from a stop or to bring to a halt as well as changing direction. It's like wearing light track shoes vs heavy hiking boots.

Naturally you won't get something for nothing, light rims can be less durable so be careful matching light wheels with lower profile sidewall/stiff tires. Hit a pothole and you can damage both plus your suspension (and get mushrooming).

 

205/50/16 tires: better acceleration, better braking feel, more responsive handling due to lower aspect ratio, lighter feel to steering due to lower overall diameter, harsher ride, more obvious tire-fender gap, more pronounced speedo error, a tad less ground clearance.

205/55/16: the opposite of the above.

I have both. 50 on the winter set, 55 on the summers. Both on X-lites. With those wheels and stock ride height I have a slight preference for the 55's.

With relatively heavy 16" wheels (~20lbs) I would be more inclined to go for the 50 series. With lighter wheels the 55 series would be a better choice IMO.

 

The only other OEM wheel I would consider replacing my s-lites with is a set of 15 inch holies. IMO MINI really failed in designing a 16 inch wheel that looked good.

 

Just my opinion here, but I think 205/55 is just too tall looking on a R53.


I went with 205/50 on mine and I think it was the best balance of comfort, look, and performance. I went from non run-flat 205/45/17 to 205/50/16 and the ride quality difference was substantial. So I can only imagine going from run-flats to normal tires and getting more sidewall would be an enormous difference.


Not a R53, but this is 205/55/16:



Compare to my 205/50/16 in the attached image.

 

Those pics are very helpful, thank you!

I have not had run flats on it. When I bought it, it had worn-out 17" run flats. We right away replaced them with standard 17" tires and started carrying a plug kit and foot pump, as well as AAA! We noticed a small improvement in ride from that for sure.

I discussed the options with my wife (Scarlet's primary custodian) and it turns out she really likes the appearance of the R83 wheels that I posted above, better than any of the others, and there are 2 sets of them for sale 120 miles away from me. Looks like I'm taking a little road trip on Wed morning, hoping to come home with one of them. Then I will get either 205/50-16's or 205/55-16's, not decided yet.

Jeremy

 

Here's a nice set in Phoenix:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/4787980980.html
I have those in black, they are 16"

 

I'd hold out a little longer unless you are really set on those. They are almost as heavy as what you have now even though they are smaller. If you really like the look then by all means go for it. Its just that personally, if I was going to go to a smaller wheel, I would want to take advantage of some some weight savings as well. Unless you are in love with the look and/or getting a killer deal I'd keep looking for something along the lines of some x-lites (R84s), assuming you want to stay with a factory wheel.

 

We have the OEM Bridge Spokes.

They were mainly for winter use at the begining but due to improved ride quality, they have been on the car for a while.

With the roads we have in Seattle, I have a hard time going back to S-Lites.

Here are the specs:

Bridge Spoke Design Light Alloy Wheel Silver
6.5J x 16
195/55 R16 Performance run-flat tire
Model Years 2006-2011

 

Well, I did it...bought the R83 wheels for a great deal. I will wait a couple more months until the old 17's are worn out and then give them a try.

Thanks to all for the help!

Jeremy

 

Hey all, I just thought I'd follow up on my questions here. Last Friday I had new tires mounted on the R83 16" wheels and installed them for the first time, coming from worn-out regular (NOT run flat) 17" tires. I went with Falken (inexpensive) touring tires in 205/50-16. They have an excellent treadwear rating and mileage guarantee. But as I said in the beginning, I was looking to take the edge off the hard, jiggly ride...

...and...

Success! Holy cow, these tires and wheels make a HUGE difference! It's still a Cooper S, not a Cadillac, but it definitely took a significant amount of hard edge off the bumps. We have some bad, tar stripped, potholed, jiggly roads in Tucson and this is much better. There's one fun corner that we take at 50mph which has cracks and tar strips. It used to take that corner skipping off the strips which actually caused it to lose traction tiny bits, now it stays planted due to the compliance in the sidewalls absorbing the strips. Very pleased with this. Also, much reduced is the sound of the interior and convertible top getting jiggled apart on such roads. There IS a tradeoff, the steering response is noticeably less sharp, but this car is so sharp anyway that to me, on real world roads, this is a worthwhile trade.

Jeremy

 

I think 16's are ideal for mini's, I personally have 17's and rode in one with 16's I liked it, I don't like 15's not enough feel. 17's can be a bit harsh, but im only at like 32 psi, so a little more cush

 

I recently 'downsized' to 16" Enkie RPF1's and couldnt be happier.

I had 17x7 TSW's which looked great but weighed in at 21lbs. The 16x7 Enkies are a tad less than 14lbs and i felt the difference right away!

I went with a Bridgestone RE760 in 205/50/16 and the ride and handling are really good for a daily driven car. Id say go with a better summer performance tire than the falken and you will get your steering response back. And lighter rims will help ride quality quite a bit too.

 

We've had the 16's on for over a month and one road trip now, and we couldn't be happier with the switch from 17's. I think the tires "wore in" just a bit (mold release agent, little rubber protrusions, etc) and some of the sharpness returned, and the ride is so much better. Makes for less shaking and jarring, plus the car feels more stable and planted on jiggly roads, especially in rough curves.