Ok, so I don't have possession of my MCS quite yet, but I have begun doing some research on a winter wheel/tire combo. Tirerack lists 15"-17" setups for the MCS, but my MA has informed me that 15" wheels will not clear the calipers on a MCS. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks, Jason

 

Unless something has changed for '06, your MA is wrong - the Cooper and Cooper S have the same brakes.

 

Perhaps your MA is simply inexperienced, rather than incompetent.

The brakes on S and Cooper are identical, so 15" wheels fit fine on an MCS. My `05 MCS wears 15x7" SSR Comps, and they fit fine with plenty of clearance on the brakes.

These are also among the best-performing wheels available, as larger heavier wheels reduce adhesion to the road, accelerate significantly slower, and take longer to brake. Here's a quote from an article in the latest SCC - "Making it Stick".
http://www.tirerack.com has an excellent configurator that will tell you which wheels fit, although to see 15" wheels offered you will have to select a Cooper model, rather than an S.

 

Congrats on your new MINI

Keep an eye out on ebay for a set of holies or other MINI 15" rims. There is a dealer in CO (among others that I've seen) that puts up brand new take-offs at decent prices. Many times tires are included.

I was lucky to find a set of take-off holies with tires (they all till had the nobbies on them) for $350 (+100 shipping). Installed them a couple of weeks ago on my MCS. I had stalled from putting them on because here in Chicago we've had absolutely spring like weather all winter.



Good luck with the winter setup... you may not need it this year

 

Thanks for the info guys, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I won't need them once the car gets here, but with my luck my car will show up on it's summer only tires just in time for the big blizzard!

Jason

 

I posted the following earlier today in another thread.

 

If I had money, I'd be running 225/50/15 tires on 15" Konig Rewinds. Rewinds look amazing and the 14 lb weight makes them even more tempting.

 

Yep, 15s work fine. I'm running 15x7 graphite Konig Rewinds on my MCSc for my winter tire package (with Goodyear Ultragrips).

The wheels look so tasty, I'll almost hate to put my 17" Bullets back on when spring arrives...

 

A quick aside, if I may: Who do you good folks recommend buying the Rewinds from? I don't see them on TireRack.

 

Discount Tire

 

Didn't see them on the site.

Anyone know the price of the rewinds? I'm leaning towards Rotas, but really like the look of the rewinds.

 

Only 13.32 lbs according to Konig's website. Almost as light as holeys! Nice-looking wheels.

 

I got mine through my local Discount Tire store. They were around $100 each. The store had to order them from Konig, took about a week to get them.

I love the Rewinds because they're classic Mini style (I've never been a big fan of the aftermarket look) and they're inexpensive. And the polished rim against the graphite spokes looks fantastic.

 

Does all that extra sidewall on the Rewinds compared to 17" S-Lites lessen the turn-in response?

 

you might also try Good Win Racing for the Rewinds. They were just under $100. each. Same offset and bolt pattern as the Miata that they specialize in...

 

I also got my Rewinds at Discount Tire, $97 w/center caps and hub rings. I think they turn in just fine. Make sure you check out this thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=55013

 

Maybe a little, but the 15" wheel/tire will probably be lighter, which is also a good thing for turn in

 

anybody seen silver rewinds for the MINI?

 

yes, Good Win Racing has pics of some on a Miata. I haven't seen any on a MINI though.