Hi,

I current;y have an R53 One with 15" alloys.

I've specced my Cooper with Sports Suspension and upgraded to 17" Flame Spokes but am starting to get concerned that the ride will be too firm.
I test drove:
1. Cooper S with 17" Flame Spokes with STANDARD Suspension (dealer didn't have a Cooper with 17" wheels and standard suspension).
2. Cooper with 16" Blasters and SPORTS Suspension.

I went with Sports Suspension after driving the Cooper because I felt more supported in the seat even on a straight road!
I picked the 17" alloys purely for looks:hmph:
My concerns:
1. The 17" on the Cooper S made the ride quite a bit harsher, I like the soft ride in my One
2. I haven't tried the combination of 17" and sports suspension, will it be much harsher than the Cooper S with Standard Suspension and 17"?

Help, what should I do? I love the look of the 17"s but quite a bit harder than what I'm used to. Will I get used to it? I have sports leather seats if that will make any difference?

Thanks

Should be fine. You could always opt for smaller wheels, then go aftermarket if you cant cure your lust for bigger wheels.

clearly only the opinion of one person and many people dont believe what he syas is worthwhile any way but Clarkson said either go for 16's with sports suspension or 17's without sport suspension.

As Paul said just see how it feels. if you dont like then it will be easy enough to trade down to 16's with the sport suspension

You'll get used to it. Besides, like Andy said swapping wheels is *way* easier than swapping suspension!

-M

If I go aftermarket I imagine I'll get stung with the insurance, I'm nearly 22. Insurance people said it wouldn't make any difference to insurance to get them from factory.

Thanks for your advise!

advice, even! One day I'll learn to spell!

well u can always swap down to the official mini 16" wheels. i'm sure whoever u found to buy ure 17" ones would have some 16" ones to sell at the same time.

Ive had a modded car since i was 18 (just sold it before my MCS arrives later in April) i always used an insurance company that didnt charge any extra for non-engine mods. I had the car lowered, alloys, exhaust, mirrors and a few other bits and they didnt charge any extra.

At the end of the day run the car for a bit as you've ordered it. if you can't live with how it is then there will be a way around it without having to shell out a wedge of cash

Hi Guys i have just ordered MCS with StandardS and 17" Crown spokes Like good handling but roads not very good in Aberdeenshire, Have a E90 330D Sport and Suspension a bit hard for roads and not so good as my E46 sport so i have ticked Standard. I suppose i could buy Alta sway bars if body roll more on Standard i Have to pay for Sport option £130 as no Chilli Pack:red:

Have sports plus 17', on most roads its fine, but on the roads I use to get to work, I find I'm trying to avoid the pot holes, bad repairs and manhole covers. You will get used to it. I also find that cornering really hard on a bumpy surface seems to unsettle the car and it can bounce around quite a bit.

Thanks, I'll stick with what I've got then! Appreciate the help!

I have sport suspension with 17" wheels and thought it was a pretty darn good set-up out of the box. Not too rough, but some minor bump steer in the rougher corners. A great do-it-all ride.

I've since lowered the car using some H&R springs. The reduction in suspension travel has greatly reduced the bump steer and the lower car looks great... but it's now pretty stiff up front. Gotta watch out for those pot holes or unmarked construction sites.

Many of us have found that the Koni FSD shocks are a good answer to this problem -- they not only improve the ride, they also improve the handling.

New Koni FSD's and Springs in my '05MCS (http://www.mini2.com/forum/wheels-tyres-suspension-brakes/100952-new-koni-fsds-springs-my-05mcs.html)
Real World Test of Koni FSD (by BMWCCA) (http://www.mini2.com/forum/wheels-tyres-suspension-brakes/104611-real-world-test-koni-fsd-bmwcca.html)
Question to Koni FSD owners - still happy? (http://www.mini2.com/forum/wheels-tyres-suspension-brakes/112686-question-koni-fsd-owners-still-happy.html)

mmalc