[Also Rich G]

Hello All!
I'm new to the list, but I've been lurking for a while. I'm planning on ordering a MCS shortly. I have a need for speed I'm on a quest for the lightest, most powerfull MCS out there... This brings me to my question(s). I do love the giant sun roof but I would think that it's quite heavy, can any one tell me the difference in weight of a Mini with and W/O the sun roof? My next question is about wheel weights. Again I love the look of the 17's but I'd imagine they are a lot heavier than 16's. Any one know how much? Lastly, I've herd rumblings about a MCS RS any info out there?
Many thanks,
Rich G in Florida

[Grinder]

Well, welcome to the board! The sunroof i think is 60 lbs extra on the very top of the car. Not great for weight OR for center of gravity.

The MCS 17" with runflats are 50 Lbs each, which is more than the 16", but i dont know how much. Those are very heavy wheels too. I'd recommend the cheaper of the two then buy aftermarket wheels and tires, as that's bound to be much, much lighter.

As far as i know the MINI Cooper RS is still just rumors. I've heard that MINI is under contract to use that same engine for the next few years, so it's doubtful the RS comes out any time soon, IMO.

Hope that helps!

[David Szweda]

Hi Rich,

The sunroof is quite heavy. It includes some metal within the roof around the sunroof frame that adds to the weight. I am not sure the exact weight, but the Cooper S with the 17" wheels and sunroof comes in around 2700 lbs, which is pretty heavy. I think the weight can get down to around 2450 lbs if you strip out a lot of the options and go bare bones. Don't quote me on this, but I thought I had read somewhere that the sunroof added 125-150lbs.

The standard 17" wheels weigh about 25lbs, and the 16" wheels weigh about 17lbs. The runflats are very heavy as well. I believe that they weigh 25lbs as well. A light 17" wheel with performance tires can get the overall weight of the wheel to around 30lbs, which is about 80lbs savings across all 4 wheels.

[Chrono]

80 ibs. savings but you must remember its rotational so its in reality saving alot more. for the absolute lightest rims you will be paying upwards of 300 a peice. personally im on the verge of ordering the lightest ive found which are Centerline RPM's 17x7 at just 13.52 ibs each. but then again im spending a hair over 1200 for them also. good luck

[Grinder]

SSR Competition 17x7.5 et42 13.0 lbs Competition

[Grinder]

That was taken from dan @ tirerack from the MCO message board. If its not valid, dont give me crap please!! I'm just relaying the info

[Chrono]

it may very well be ligher but it is also more expensive and i dont like the look all that much. not to mention its just a half pound which could be saved by choosing correct rubber.

[Grinder]

I agree...I just thought if you were going for the ultimate in weight reduction for the wheels that I'd point those out.

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by Grinder
As far as i know the MINI Cooper RS is still just rumors. I've heard that MINI is under contract to use that same engine for the next few years, so it's doubtful the RS comes out any time soon, IMO.

My view, is regardless of what engine contracts are out there, they're not going to change anything until demand dies down, which will probably happen over the course of the '03 model year. That'd make the introduction of an '04 super version both reasonable and not really relevant to any current purchases. Of course they 'next big thing' at the time could be a different model instead of a different cooper... but that's why there's an entire forum on future variants.

Since BMW has variable timing on so many engines these days, it just seems logical they will add it to the MINI sometime, but marketing isn't always about putting your best foot forward first, I'm sure BMW loves all the people who bought coopers in the UK that have now gotten S'.

[Also Rich G]

Thanks for the welcome!
So if I under stand and I order my car w/o the sunroof and then switch to some lighter wheels, I could shave around 140 pounds off the 2700 pound weight. I am I correct?

Thanks again,
Rich