[GNDMini]

I've only got a few days to decide between the X-lite & s_spoke wheels! My reasoning so far (+ & - points)

17" : + come 'free' with CHILLI pack
+ low profile tyre look more racy = better on S
+ better grip (although there's no race track around here!)
- more risk of damaging rims/tyre on rough roads
- expensive tyres
- rather heavy looking

16" : + look more sophisticated (or should that be techie?)
+ better choice of tyres (& cheaper to replace)
+ more comfortable ride on rough roads
- can see rusty brake parts (someone said)
- 'shopping' tyres?

Many of the roads around here in Yorkshire are badly maintained.
Has anyone damaged the S-spokes and/or tyres on pot holes?
Has anyone driven on both sets of wheels enough to compare them?

I could of course buy some retrofit wheels ... seen some great pictures posted on this site ... but that would get very expensive ... wouldn't it?

Any advice/opinions gladly received .... anything to get a good nights sleep :-)

[Jolly Jumper]

Yes, same situation for me and I need to know. It has been discussed before but the claims vary wildly. So what`s the truth? Are 17 heavier? Do they rob steering feel? Opinions, Pleeeese!

[marksan]

Hi GNDMini

Where about's are you in West Yorkshire? I live/drive around Leeds/Bradford area and yep the roads are BAD. Have still gone for the 17's though. With the run flats having a tougher side wall it should help prevent damaging the rim's.

My Dad has 17's (45 profile) on a Merc E320. In two years he's covered 50K+ miles and the only damage to his wheels has been from his parking (the spokes stand slightly proud of the tyre wall). And I would describe his method of driving as 'not one to hang about'.


Didn't get chance to test drive a MCS with 16's, but the 17's felt fine to me.

On another note, where did you order your car from? Ordered mine from Listers (Bradford) in June, expected del for November but I still haven't got a build date yet.

[Bad Ess]

There is a thread somewhere that tests the 16's and 17's on the same car through the traps. The 16's are lighter and faster...

[Skim]

Guys

Owned both 16" Cooper and 17" S, both with the sports plus suspension.

The ride with 17" (IMO) is noticeably harsher on anything that is rougher than my baby daughter's bottom. I also found the handling on 16" to be better - better feel on the limit and not so sensitive surface changes - but gripwise very similar, i.e very high. If anything 17" has more grip and sharper turn-in.

However, IMO 17" look much better.

So, what would I choose if I had the choice again?

Seventeens.

[btsave7]

16" smoother

[Skim]

Actually, maybe sixteens.


....erm no, seventeens.


Sixteens?

[BruceK]

One good (?) reason to go with the 17" "S-spoke" wheels over the 16" "X-lite" is the 17" are smoothly-styled and have no corners for brake dust to hid in -- so, they clean up very easily.

Once you see how much brake dust gets on the wheels, you'll thank me!

[zoooooom]

I have just sold my cooper
It had 16" five spokes and after 14,000 miles I fitted 17" wheels.

The 17" wheels looked much better but the caracteristics of the car changed dramatically.
I have just ordered a new cooper and it will have 16" wheels

so if its looks you want 17" are good
If its comfort then 16" are better
As for road holding there is not a lot of difference

Hope this of some help

[Paul]

Short answer (it needs a short answer I feel after all the lengthy debates).

Looking only at the UNIQUE plus points of one over the other....

17". THE plus is appearance.

16". THE plus is handling and ride quality.

You decide.

[msenkbeil]

17" S-Lites look the best, IMHO.

I've test driven both 16 and 17... 17 have much better grip in the corners. It's an easy choice for me.

[GMINI]

Quote:

Originally posted by msenkbeil
17" S-Lites look the best, IMHO.

I've test driven both 16 and 17... 17 have much better grip in the corners. It's an easy choice for me.

Made the same choice for the same reasons. And I am LOVING it every day. These cars look so much better on slightly bigger wheels, too.

[Bad Ess]

Quote:

Originally posted by Skim
Guys

Owned both 16" Cooper and 17" S, both with the sports plus suspension.

The ride with 17" (IMO) is noticeably harsher on anything that is rougher than my baby daughter's bottom.

16's....

Man I am buying this car for the glide ride on the hiway too. Saturday night drive bys and skid pad tests are not my routine. Counting the expansion joints on the Cross Bronx Expressway with my bony butt is breath taking enough. I don't need to loose my wind too.

R-90's with real tires will most likley do it for me..

[NEMINI]

personally the only factory rims I like are the 16" 5-star

so for me it'd be 16"

[Bad Ess]

Quote:

Originally posted by GMINI03
personally the only factory rims I like are the 16" 5-star

so for me it'd be 16"

I like the five star too. You might have regular tires not run flats. The ride should be sweet! Can't get them on the S.

A friend is getting his silk green/white 03 next week! Same wheels (white I think.), spoiler, fogs, zenons, sport suspension etc.

[BI GAL]

Quote:

Originally posted by GNDMini
Many of the roads around here in Yorkshire are badly maintained.
Has anyone damaged the S-spokes and/or tyres on pot holes?
Has anyone driven on both sets of wheels enough to compare them?

I could of course buy some retrofit wheels ... seen some great pictures posted on this site ... but that would get very expensive ... wouldn't it?

Any advice/opinions gladly received .... anything to get a good nights sleep :-) [/b]

Thought i should add my two cents worth.....

I've just swapped my cooper (SS+/16's) for my new cooper 's' (17's), and have driven both around the Huddersfield/Holmfirth areas of West Yorkshire. Surely some of the worst maintained roads in the county.

Personally, i find the ride on the MCS to be a bit less harsh than that of the MC - although the difference quite small. Doubt you'll notice the difference on those roads.

To be honest, neither setup is comfortable on bad roads.

see ya around

Al

(DB/B MCS with 17's )

[Mini_me]

I have read many comment on the forums about this but am a little confused. 2 common opinions seems to contradict:

'16" handle better' versus '17" Grip better and have a sharper turn in'

can anyone who has driven both qualify these staemets at all?

Are we talking about 2 different road surfaces? Do the 16s handle better on the bunmps but the 17 grip better on a smooth road?

[dinger]

Hi,Having driven a cooper for nearly a year riding on 16" 5 star alloys and now a cooper S riding on 17" s spokes here's my two penneth worth.

16"s 5 star alloys

easier to clean as they have larger gaps between the spokes.
Tyres will be cheaper.
Turn in is more sure footed.
over really rough surfaces they handle this alot better.
Not as good looking as the 17" s spokes.

17" S spokes

Alot harder to clean behind the spokes as the gap is smaller.
Tyres are going to be alot more expensive.
Turn in is not as sure footed.
Ride is jittery over rough surfaces.
Its one of the best looking alloys I've seen and it matches the MINI perfectly.

Hope this is a help.

[NEMINI]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bad Ess


I like the five star too. You might have regular tires not run flats. The ride should be sweet! Can't get them on the S.

A friend is getting his silk green/white 03 next week! Same wheels (white I think.), spoiler, fogs, zenons, sport suspension etc.

I better get run-flats as thats one of the reasons I upgraded tot he 16" wheels and sport pak.

[tomorthway]

can you order 16 s with a mcs??????