17" Rims vs. 16" on the "S"

[nwoodiwiss]

Read the UK Times review for March 22nd...very favourable, but with this caveat:

Sixteen-inch alloys come as standard on the Cooper S - 15in is the norm on the Mini's siblings - and buyers can also opt for 17in wheels. However, allied to the special sports suspension set-up on the Cooper S, the ride becomes unacceptably hard on the 17s and the overall performance just doesn't seem quite as spot-on.

Although the 17in wheels do fill the arches better and give it a beefier appearance, they will really be only for the vanity-conscious. If a car is set up for optimum performance with the 16s, why change them? They could do with being of a slightly better design, though, the cobweb-type appearance gives them the look of something from a cheap aftermarket parts catalogue.

Suggest you all checkout this on your test rides...

[kshapiro]

Hmmm...I thin the 16" X-Lites look better than the 17" S-Spokes (drove an "S" today). Also, they're 7.5 lbs. lighter per wheel. That's a big difference in unsprung weight. They ARE the performance wheel for the "S" . I ordered the performance package w/o the 17"s...DSC, Xenons, Fogs . Only $110 less than with the 17"s, but in my opinion a more peformance oriented "S".

[Red & White Cooper 2]

I'm not sure if it is the same journalist, but the BBC TopGear report on their web site also said

We suggest thinking hard before opting for a set of the 17-inch eight-spoke alloys, though, as we found the car rode better and was much more engaging with the standard 16s.

[nwoodiwiss]

Good call Ken...how was your "S" test drive? when will your "S" arrive?

[kshapiro]

Quote:

Originally posted by nwoodiwiss
Good call Ken...how was your "S" test drive? when will your "S" arrive?

Nick;

The test drive was great...read my other thread "Shapiro Reviews the "S". The dealer put in my order, saying, "Late June or early July (but no promises)."

[nwoodiwiss]

Hey, Ken, more fun awaits you. I test drove a Cooper yesterday with DSC. The owner of the dealership took me out and first showed what DSC (along with ASC+T, CBC etc) can do.

He took the Cooper up to 50mph, then deliberately turned it half off the tarmac, so that two wheels were on the gravel hard shoulder and two still on the road. He then rammed the brakes on...scary moment for me...the car remained completely straight and just stopped, fully under control.

This was on a stretch of road where other dealers do the same...there was a skidmark where apparently a Lexus dealer tried the same and hit the fence !

You are going to love that "S" !!!!

Nick