Looking for some advice on spec'ing out wheels for a Cooper S. (I test drove one last Friday and am now hopelessly addicted
(like I didn't KNOW that would happen.))
Anyway, I am concerned about the 17" wheels and low profile tires here in the state of potholes, aka Illinois USA. Anyone have experience with very low profile tires on alloy wheels (on ANY make/model car) in an area where the roads are not maintained well under heavy traffic and are subject to a merciless freeze/thaw cycle that breaks up pavement like crazy ? I've seen photos and examples of broken rims on alloy wheels, but I have no personal experience with alloy wheels and performance tires and no feel for how big a hole you have to hit before severe damage like this can occur.
Anyone living in the Midwest USA (e.g. Michigan) or elsewhere under similar conditions who can offer some advice ? Would I be significantly better off just to stick with the 16's ? (Though I am planning to buy the DSC and Xenon's anyway, so the Sport package would be the best value - including those larger wheels.)