18inch or 19inch wheels

[stacemcs]

Hi,
I can't decide what wheel size to go for, I need help as I don't know if putting 19's onto the car will affect the handling ????

[kyriian]

no offence, but 19s look ridiculous on a mini... 18s is as far as i'd go... cuze its cheaper, and u wont hv to go to a chiropractor every few weeks! or a dentist to hv ur fillings checked

[JpMcC]

18s are a more sensible choice and look excellent

19s are a bit over the top as kyriian has already said

heres a picture od 19" Kahns on a mini

[Johno252]

I'm trying to find out if the 18" Works alloys are the right choice myself! Are they a lot heavier than the 17" S lite alloys?

[nylo]

think they're lighter. speak to fizzle, i know he's just changed his 17 s spokes to 18 jcw ones...

[CooperSAZ]

I would not go over 18" either! Too big, too much attention!

What about maintaining the wheel circumference? Won't this slow the MINI down a tad? Or possibly throw off the speedo?

[Bilbo Baggins]

Quote: Originally Posted by stacemcs

Hi,
I can't decide what wheel size to go for, I need help as I don't know if putting 19's onto the car will affect the handling ????

If looks are what you are after then the only person to answer that question is you. If performance is your objective than the answer is 15" or 16" and as light as you can afford.

Ride quality deteriorates with the increase in wheel diameter. No two ways about it.

[f00t]

17 inch looks bext for mini thats my opinion...

[STS2]

No way 15's look way better........on a Miata of course !

I ditto Bilbo Baggins answer, it depends if you think 15s, or 16s look good to you. If they don't look good enough to justify their performance gains, and the larger wheels grab you more, then go ahead and take them. Just that most people who go to large wheels such as 18s, and larger, tend to regret it. They may not want to admit it, but it's either the ride quality, or the HI$$$ that has to be dished out for rubber.

----------------
Happy Motoring,
Kurt STS2 #5
My 1990 Classic Red Miata

[Johnny225]

I'll take 12 pound 15 inch wheels any day over a 24 pound 19 inch wheel. My advice is to get at max a 17 inch lightweight wheel.

[stacemcs]

Thanks for your feedback, I think I will have to go for 18's, I've only had my S for 2 months but loving every minute,

Cheers

[nylo]

looks like the guys on the other side of the pond are more into their wee-er wheels, from what i've found out, there's not much difference in ride between 17s and runflats and 18s on 'normal' rubber. i'm ditching my runflats for 18s, so i'm with you on this one stacemcs

[abs0lutely]

Well, I've got the 18" JCW's on mine, and I have to say I think they're FANTASTIC! IMHO they're the best looking wheels you'll find for a MINI. The ride quality is hard, but very very fun, and they just look so right. I certainly wouldn't want any bigger though!

[cooper_s_flyer]

Quote: Originally Posted by stacemcs

Hi,
I can't decide what wheel size to go for, I need help as I don't know if putting 19's onto the car will affect the handling ????

19's are just too darn big for the Mini. They also will make the car's ride super rough and somewhat unmanageable. You will most assuredly have frequent bent wheels... and will certainly curse the day you put 19's on the car.

IMHO even 18's are a bit much, but they are as large as one should go on a Mini. There is some decent rubber in the 18" realm to prevent too harsh a ride... and I think there are also runflats as the Works wheels are 18's... right?

I would, in fact, take advantage of the factory 18's and runflats (if there is indeed an 18" runflat????) if I "had to choose".

Best of luck and maximum enjoyment with whatever you decide...

[KJ_daGreenMini]

i have to diagree with a lot of the comments on here about 19inch wheels. i have 19s on my cooper and noticed very little difference between the stock 16s. Also i have a cooper so the suspension isnt as hard as the S, but to say they look rediculous is surely dependant on what wheels you buy.

I've kept my 19s on for every run i have been on since buying them which is testament to their ride quality. If you are going for 19s though i recommend a big break kit to fill the gaps at the front cos the stock calipers look a little puny otherwise. I have 10pots waiting to be fitted... but then again i like to go one step further.

my 19s are roughly the same weight as stock 16s with runflats. There are pictures in my gallery.