[TallAndy]

Hi

This is my first thread so hello to all you mini enthusiasts out there!

I'm looking at purchasing a MCS later this year and was wondering what the overall opinion of Wheel Sizes is.

I'm probably going for a MCS + Chili Pack. So people who've bought MCS's with a chili pack have u kept the 17" wheels or opted for the 16" X-Lite Alloys?

Any comments on handling etc coz i've read quite a lot about people prefering the 16" wheels for the handling/ride of the car.

Cheers

Andy

[KenL]

Can you opt for 16 wheels with CHILLI pack? If you can do you save any money?

Late last year there was a shortage of 17s and they were selling a "pepperoni" pack which was chilli with 16s.

[realdriver]

I bought mine with the 17" wheels and regret my choice. The demo car I tried was on 16" and IMO there is noticeable difference in steering feel, handling and ride. Even though I really like the looks of the car with the big wheels, I think that I'm going to switch back to X-lites at some point.

Anybody in Switzerland who would like to buy or swap 17" wheels?

[Adamo]

Andeh,

The 16" wheels do improve the cars handeling, but the mcs handels so bloody well with the 17" wheels anyway, aperently the 16" wheels improve tire roar on the moterway.

its up to you if you want your car to turn on a penny at 90 mph go for the 16's if you want it to turn on o two pence peace at 90 go for the 17's.

Pearsonally i prefer the 17" wheels makes the mcs look mean, check out my gallery and see if you think 16" wheels would look better than my 17's.

[NordS]

Get the 17"s, and buy a set of 16"s second hand (I have done this and so feel qualified to speak!). If you really want to sell the 17"s you will get a good price from Mini One owners who have soft suspension anyway!

Pics of the 16"s coming soon (as soon as I can get the bloody 17"s off - see my other post!)

[TallAndy]

Thanks for info peeps!

I'm going to be test driving an MCS this saturday from Benham Stockport. Not sure what wheel size they will be though.

Suppose its all done to personal preference be nice to try both 16" and 17".

[beej]

My MCS + Chili (one week old today!) has 17" S-spokes, but only really because my dealer wouldn't let me spec 16" X-Lites unless I paid for *both* sets of wheels.

I find the 17s on the MCS very impressive visually and in terms of sticking to the road, but the ride is firm and I might yet end up grabbing X-Lites to swap at some point in the future

[MiniSGirl]

Quote:

Originally posted by Adamo
Andeh,

The 16" wheels do improve the cars handeling, but the mcs handels so bloody well with the 17" wheels anyway, aperently the 16" wheels improve tire roar on the moterway.

its up to you if you want your car to turn on a penny at 90 mph go for the 16's if you want it to turn on o two pence peace at 90 go for the 17's.

Pearsonally i prefer the 17" wheels makes the mcs look mean, check out my gallery and see if you think 16" wheels would look better than my 17's.

Andeh is right! I've got the 17's and the car looks like it's gonna pounce on something. Looks really good! (Especially the white - even though they're a pain to keep clean!)

If I am going to seriously race my Mini, I plan on getting a different set of wheels anyway - most likely 16's and much much lighter!

So...I think you should go for the 17's for daily driving - and grab the 16's for the serious stuff...

[Gotham Taffer]

Alright, really stupid question time. I see reference to the "Chili" pack all the time. I searched the board but didn't find a definition. What the heck is it? Is it the same as the Sport or Premium package?

[IanW]

I went through the same decision when I ordered mine a few weeks back. I test drove both and went for the 16" wheels but I didnt order the Chilli pack (did order A/C though). My dealer showed me an order for an S with Chilli but with 16" wheels but this was from the guy that owns the dealership (Frank Sytner) so they would probably do any special order for him!! Even if they do it I bet you wont get any money off for 16".
I do believe the ride / handling compromise is better with 16" though although I could only really tell the difference on bumpy roads. Personally I am sensitive to this having just sold a 325 sport coupe with 18" wheels and very bumpy ride I didnt want the same again!
imho 16" should be adequate for transmitting this kind of power and 17" are really oversize for styling (dont forget cars like the Porsche Boxster were only fitted with 16" of a similar size until recently).
Styling between the 2 is a personal preference thing...

[KenL]

Quote:

Originally posted by Gotham Taffer
Alright, really stupid question time. I see reference to the "Chili" pack all the time. I searched the board but didn't find a definition. What the heck is it? Is it the same as the Sport or Premium package?

You'll find what's in the chilli pack at www.mini.co.uk
In the S it includes 17" wheels, aircon and a few other bits & pieces.