MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post - 7-holes or 5-spokes ?

HarryHBMCC · Jan 3rd, 2003, 03:33 PM

I've driven Coopers back to back with 16" X-lites with winter runflats and 15" 8-spoke all-season non-runflats (both with sport suspension) and the 15" non-runflats are a bit softer for ride but it still isn't a Buick with the smaller tires. She may notice a slightly harsher bottom over big bumps but I find it is still quite a comfortable ride. For grip and cornering I much prefer the 195/55R16s to the 175/65R15s but for acceleration the lighter non-runflat tires do feel noticably faster for the first few feet in first gear (the X-lites are only 2.5lbs heavier than the 8-spokes so the wheels wouldn't have much effect). Perhaps non-runflats on 16" X-lites would be the best but then you don't get runflats (which I like personally).

Harry

Jan 3rd, 2003, 03:33 PM	#6
HarryHBMCC MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Can Local Time: 11:22 AM Posts: 2,655 Offline	I've driven Coopers back to back with 16" X-lites with winter runflats and 15" 8-spoke all-season non-runflats (both with sport suspension) and the 15" non-runflats are a bit softer for ride but it still isn't a Buick with the smaller tires. She may notice a slightly harsher bottom over big bumps but I find it is still quite a comfortable ride. For grip and cornering I much prefer the 195/55R16s to the 175/65R15s but for acceleration the lighter non-runflat tires do feel noticably faster for the first few feet in first gear (the X-lites are only 2.5lbs heavier than the 8-spokes so the wheels wouldn't have much effect). Perhaps non-runflats on 16" X-lites would be the best but then you don't get runflats (which I like personally). Harry MINI Cooper Cabrio: now the car with go cart handling really feels like an open go cart! "... the only man that can come home at 3 am in the morning without getting into trouble with his spouse is the owner of a British sports car!" -- Phil Bailey