[Red Wonder]

Hello,
I went to the showroom today and they have an order placed for a Chilli Cooper with the exact specifications that I want, air con, DSC, xenon lights, and a special package only for Eastern Europe, called the comfort plus package (includes lights, storage, sport wheel, velour mats, heated mirrors, Chronopit, chrome line etc). Anyways, the only thing that is missing from my wish list are the wheels. It has the 5 star rocket 15" wheels. I am afraid it will not look good in 15", I would have chosen the 16" wheels. I am so torn. Should I go for this one or wait till end of September or so to get another one with the same specs + the wheels? The price is also important, I want to spend less and 560 Euros extra for the wheels is something...Please help. Does it look bad in 15" wheels?

Thank you so much
Simone

[L13 Cooper]

im not a fan of 15" wheels, ive got 17" i really do think minis look better with 16" or 17" or even 18" wheels, if you dont get what you want now you might regret it when you have the car!!

[V12 BRY]

I thought that the Chilli pack came with 16" wheels as standard?
I have to agree with L13 Cooper on this one, get the 16" at the minimum. I was going to stick with the 16" wheels on mine, but rang the dealer the day after I placed the order and changed it to 17" S Spokes. Thank God I did, as I think the car looks excellent on them.

My friend has 16" wheels on her car and it looks good.

Find the extra cash my good man, or wait and order one exactly how you want.

[cook1e]

Quote: Originally Posted by V12 BRY

I thought that the Chilli pack came with 16" wheels as standard?
I have to agree with L13 Cooper on this one, get the 16" at the minimum. I was going to stick with the 16" wheels on mine, but rang the dealer the day after I placed the order and changed it to 17" S Spokes. Thank God I did, as I think the car looks excellent on them.

My friend has 16" wheels on her car and it looks good.

Find the extra cash my good man, or wait and order one exactly how you want.

Maybe the Chilli pack spec is different in Romania?

I agree that 15" wheels look too small on a MINI, I've got the 16" five stars. I like the 5 star look best out of all the standard options, they have a nice open look but are very prone to brake dust so need cleaning often.

[Smoked]

i've got the 15 inch 8 spoke, and they suk!!! although to thier credit they are very light, they aren the best design, they are way to small and way too thin, plus they luk like trim when moving!! tha god my 18's arrive ne day!

[Cooperchris]

Quote: Originally Posted by Smoked

i've got the 15 inch 8 spoke, and they suk!!! although to thier credit they are very light, they aren the best design, they are way to small and way too thin, plus they luk like trim when moving!! tha god my 18's arrive ne day!

What kind of 18's are you getting?

[Red Wonder]

Sorry, but the Chilli Mini for me is the Chilli Red as a colour...It's not the Chilli Pack. We have the standard Chilli pack here as well a specific Comfort Plus pack. The 15" is standard...I like this Comfort pack as it costs as much as Chilli but it has air con. It doesn't have the wheels though...I would buy this car because it comes so quickly, it will be here beginning of August. I like the fact that it has DSC as DSC has saved my life in my boyfriend's car and the xenons. It also has the Octagon/Red interior and it looks great, it is the '05 model. But...the wheels, you are right. It looks lame in 15". Tough decision. I would probably order my own but it will come so late....end of September. Thanks all

[robfenn]

16s minimum!

[dansmini]

You can always buy the car, buy the wheels you want seperately, then sell your 15's (or keep them for winter time/snow set?). But I agree, it has to have 16's at least IMHO.

[OregonCooper]

Don't the 16" tires only come as run flats? Why would you want those on a MC? Stick with the 15" ones; I love mine.

[thrilhouse]

I have the 15" 8-spokes on my '04...I stuck with the standard size knowing that I eventually want to upgrade to aftermarket 17's...so why pay extra for larger wheels and tires if I'm gonna replace them anyways, right?

[cook1e]

Quote: Originally Posted by OregonCooper

Don't the 16" tires only come as run flats? Why would you want those on a MC? Stick with the 15" ones; I love mine.

You can opt for a spare wheel rather than run flats with the 16" wheels, it only costs about £35- extra to have a spaceaver spare and if you take this option you get normal tyres rather than run flats. The only problem is that if you do get a puncture and have to use the spare there is insufficient space to fit the punctured full width wheel on the spare wheel mounting under the boot or within the boot itself so you would have to put it in the car. This is not particularly good if you happen to be 4 up with passengers as one of them would end up with a dirty puntured wheel on their lap

[OregonCooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by cook1e

You can opt for a spare wheel rather than run flats with the 16" wheels, it only costs about £35- extra to have a spaceaver spare and if you take this option you get normal tyres rather than run flats. The only problem is that if you do get a puncture and have to use the spare there is insufficient space to fit the punctured full width wheel on the spare wheel mounting under the boot or within the boot itself so you would have to put it in the car. This is not particularly good if you happen to be 4 up with passengers as one of them would end up with a dirty puntured wheel on their lap

Ah, that doesn't sound that bad. Here in the USA, there is no such option and all new car 16" tires are runflats.

[Jupiter]

15" wheels are the best - the Cooper handles much better with 15". The only advantage of bigger wheels is visual. Replacing run flat tyres is expensive.

[jazmini]

I agree with Jupiter. I have 15 inch wheels and am very happy with them. They will give you the best speed. Smaller diameter wheels = faster. But if you really want bigger wheels and will be unhappy with 15's, I'd wait and get what you really want. Looks are important and only you know what you like. You don't want to get something as expensive as a car if you are unhappy with something.

[Red Cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jupiter

15" wheels are the best - the Cooper handles much better with 15". The only advantage of bigger wheels is visual. Replacing run flat tyres is expensive.

I totally agree... On the other hand the run flat offers the confort of not having to stop to deal with a puncture - sometimes this is essential...

Anyway - you'll just love this little car.... and welcome to www.MINI2.com!

[Clutch Cargo]

Also, the 15" wheels offer a slightly better ride, and are less likely to be damaged by kerbs and potholes. And I think they look fine, too! I'm very happy with my wheels.

[Nameless]

I think you gotta admit most folk buy the MINI for the looks, and the 17's look fantastic. ( Personally I think 18"s look too by racer-ish ). For that reason only - buy whatever keeps you happy.

Me? - I'm an old fart and an ex Skoda Estelle driver I lost all hope of having any street cred years ago.
But as a rally fanatic with a lot of local rough roads I appreciate the ability to drop a wheel in a ditch or in a serious pothole without fretting about tyres or wheels. So I stuck with 15" wheels, and boy, does it handle on rough roads !
I'm told 16"'s are just as good, but when you get to 17"'s you start to get tramlining (None with 15"'s), and risk damaged wheels/tyres if you drive like a nutter.

So - no street cred and commitment whatever the road surface? Or loads of street cred and a bit of care when conditions get dodgy. You pays ya money and takes ya choice. Seems 16"s might be a happy medium!

[Bisch]

I ditched my 17" for 15". Much better performance!

[Nameless]

They look good! - That's the answer I think - wider 15" wheels.