[WHITEY_]

I know this has come up a lot in the past, but the threads always turn into a lecture and stray off onto other subjects. So no nonsense, I just want people's plain views, pure and simple. Keep in mind I'll probably be using my current 15's for the winter. I just want to know which will be the best overall option for my type of driving and road conditions - The roads around here aren't too brilliant and can guarantee a fair amount of potholes/drain bumps on pretty much every journey. I'm not a complete fanatic about weight as I don't do track days or anything, but I do like to use the mini's renowned handling now and again on a good bendy road. I like to give a bit of heavy right foot action here and there also, so I would like acceleration not to be compromised TOO much. I guess the aesthetic appeal outweighs performance, to an extent, but as I said don't want performance to be compromised too much as I do like to have a bit of fun with the mini. Oh and one other thing, I'm planning on superchipping the car in the near future. Gimme your opinions! Cheers

[Jim Ray]

No BS 16".

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Sorry you felt the other thread was "nonsense" but, like I said, 16's!

[Paul]

I'm with those two.

16", light wheels, shod with good quality rubber.

[WHITEY_]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

Sorry you felt the other thread was "nonsense" but, like I said, 16's!

I wasn't referring to my other thread you replied in (thanks btw) but rather towards all the other similar threads if seen on here and NAM

[captint]

I have to differ, 17's are fine, and of course have major aesthetic benefits over 16's. Al depends on your set up really

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by WHITEY_ (original)

I wasn't referring to my other thread you replied in (thanks btw) but rather towards all the other similar threads if seen on here and NAM

Right ho, thanks for clearing that one up

[Hugo]

Lightweight 18s with light tyres. ......... Its the future!!!!

[Paul]

If you like the comedy look and compromised handling it is.

[Martin L]

16s and I wouldn't even call them a compromise

...anything above that is for aestictics, and I for one will admit I'm 100% guilty of that!
However my last MCS I insisted on 16s even though the 17s were part of the Chilli pack.

[Boro Boy]

16"s if you want the car balanced for performance/ride comfort.
17"s if you want to sacrifice this for the look of a car with oversized wheels.
18"s if you don't mind your teeth chattering when driving on British roads!

[Darthbladerni]

17's would be ok!! Aesthetic value especially with them.

And 18's do not affect handling/ performance if you get the correct fitting and offset and weight etc. Mine made handling better and did not affect performance.
And obviously the ride will be a bit harder.

All personal preference really

[m0edwa]

why not 18s, they look great who cares abut the tramlining!

[Paul]

Making the ride harder IS affecting handling is it not, and a harder ride does not a better handling car make (necessarily). Plus, the more wheel and less tyre you have, you're going to affect the balance of things, to what extent will depend on what you're going to and from, and what quality of wheel and tyre you can afford.

For the kind of road conditions described by the OP, I'd go for a good light 16" wheel and tyre combo over and above anything else, they look good and handle fantastically AND will cost less than the same quality 17" (or 18") versions of the same wheels/tyres.

[Darthbladerni]

Im just going on my own experiance with 18's.

Obviously everyone has different opinions and has had different experiances but i was explaining my own

[Paul]

I appreciate that, but I was just raising the point you say it doesn't affect handling and then said it makes the ride harder.

[Darthbladerni]

Obviously the ride will be a bit harder because of the lower profile of the tyres.

The car grips more with the new wheels and their is less roll than when I had my 15's on. I would say more grip compared to the old wheels but then again im on 18x7.5 so they are slightly wider than normal.

the total diamater difference between my 15's and the 18's is -0.1 of an inch. Hardly any diamater change at all.

My car is lowered though so I guess that is why my experiance is different with handling etc, but for me it was a good move.

With 18's though it is a bit of a worry with potholes etc so for where he lives yes, 16/17 inch wheels.

[PmP]

16's for out right grip

17's for better handling

18's for looks.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by PmP (original)

16's for out right grip

17's for better handling

18's for looks.

How would you justify saying 17" wheels handle better than 16" wheels which you say offer better out right grip? What characteristic(s) of handling do you feel you gain with 17" wheels?

[R56]

Deffo 18s