Just bought a 2004 MCS with white top and mirrors. Wife would like white wheels. I located a set of new white 5 spoke 16" X-Lites with Goodyears installed. I was trying to find the 8 spoke S-Lites in white.

Any downside or upside to the 16" over the 17"??

Thanks for the help

 

I read where the 07's are optimized for 16's. I am not sure if the 04's were optimized for 16's or 17's. From some of the information I have seen it looks like it changes from year to year.

 

Are there a lot of potholes in Louisville? Potholes + 17" S-lites = bent rims.

 

theres alot of downsides if you go with s-lites.

Expensive tires
VERY HEAVY weight
Low profile = better chance of damaging the wheels

beside the look of s-lites or a bit of tire width advantage, x-lites is better in all aspects.

 

Both of my Mini's have been daily drivers--and I live in a City notorious for pathetic streets with sink holes, pot holes, man hole covers that are 2-3" lower than the pavement, never-ending utility repairs, which are covered with huge, temporary metal cover plates that have 2-3" sharp edges...

I've never had a road hazard issue with my 16 inch wheels. Also, the side walls on 16" are just bulbous enough to spare the wheel from curb rash with minor contact situations. Many 17" wheels, including S-Lites, have outer rims that stick out beyond the tire's sidewall. In other words, the rim is highly vulnerable to curb rash. It's an awefull sensation--worse than fingernails on the chalkboard, and, it's permanent.

These kinds of daily obstacles KILL 17" and 18" low profile wheel/tire combos. If your Mini is a weekend toy, and you like the looks of the S-lites, go for it.

If your Mini is a daily driver, I advise 16" X-lites. They weigh about 17 lbs. each, compared to the S-lites, which come in at about 22 lbs.

I use silver x-lites during the winter and bronze-colored gram lights for summer use. Both colors are exceptional for a low-maintence life. There are lots of posts on NAM stating that white wheels are high maintence for keeping clean. Again, if your car is a weekend toy, no problem, right?

 

Slites - look good, heavy/sturdy, 45 series tires

Xlites - look good, 7lbs lighter, 55 series tire, slightly tougher to clean

White Slites come up every so often, so if you're in love with 'em, you can wait it out. My car came with white Slites and I just got a set of white Xlites. It's amazing how heavy the Slite combo is (but wife likes the look.)