Mini Cooper 09 clubman
Discussion
If you're set on 15"s, get the lightest 15" wheels you can find - lightest MINI OEM wheels are R81 7-hole "Pepperpots", at 12lb (5.45kg) each.
Enjoy the vastly improved ride compared with the much heavier 17" wheels & 45 profile tyres - our Clubman's ride on 15" pepperpots with 65 profile non-runflat tyres, was as close to a limo as a MINI can get.
However, as Gunk says, IMHO 16" wheels are the sweet spot for MINI's.
15"s with 175/65's are indeed far lighter than 17"s, but unless you go a bit wider on the tyres, the lateral grip in corners is noticeably lacking on the skinny 175's when pressing on..
16"s with 195/55's have 95% of the lateral grip of 17"s with 205/45's, but 16% more sidewall for significantly greater ride comfort.
Up the width by 1cm to the more popular & cheaper 205/55 size, and you have all the grip, together with the extra ride comfort.
(Lightest MINI OEM 16" alloys are R102 S-winders, at 17.4lb (7.9kg) each)
17"s with 205/45's are significantly heavier & more expensive wheels & tyres, with a significatly worse ride, but without significantly greater lateral grip from the 1cm extra width.
Whichever size wheel you decide on, have you considered using the smaller wheels with some Michelin CrossClimate+ on all year round?
I've used them for the past two winters in 205/55/16 size, and they've been great in the snow, great in the wet, and great in the heat of summer too.
Check out TyreReviews and ask yourself if you still need two sets of wheels & tyres where you are in the UK:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/What-changed-...
I'm replacing mine with a new set soon, and 205/55 R16 94V XL are £89.50 a corner including fitting.
One set of smaller lighter wheels & less expensive tyres for all year winter & summer use with better grip, ride, acceleration, and fuel economy, would also allow you to sell the spare 17" wheels and recover most if not all of the cheaper 15"/16" wheels & tyres?
Hth.
Enjoy the vastly improved ride compared with the much heavier 17" wheels & 45 profile tyres - our Clubman's ride on 15" pepperpots with 65 profile non-runflat tyres, was as close to a limo as a MINI can get.
However, as Gunk says, IMHO 16" wheels are the sweet spot for MINI's.
15"s with 175/65's are indeed far lighter than 17"s, but unless you go a bit wider on the tyres, the lateral grip in corners is noticeably lacking on the skinny 175's when pressing on..
16"s with 195/55's have 95% of the lateral grip of 17"s with 205/45's, but 16% more sidewall for significantly greater ride comfort.
Up the width by 1cm to the more popular & cheaper 205/55 size, and you have all the grip, together with the extra ride comfort.
(Lightest MINI OEM 16" alloys are R102 S-winders, at 17.4lb (7.9kg) each)
17"s with 205/45's are significantly heavier & more expensive wheels & tyres, with a significatly worse ride, but without significantly greater lateral grip from the 1cm extra width.
Whichever size wheel you decide on, have you considered using the smaller wheels with some Michelin CrossClimate+ on all year round?
I've used them for the past two winters in 205/55/16 size, and they've been great in the snow, great in the wet, and great in the heat of summer too.
Check out TyreReviews and ask yourself if you still need two sets of wheels & tyres where you are in the UK:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/What-changed-...
I'm replacing mine with a new set soon, and 205/55 R16 94V XL are £89.50 a corner including fitting.
One set of smaller lighter wheels & less expensive tyres for all year winter & summer use with better grip, ride, acceleration, and fuel economy, would also allow you to sell the spare 17" wheels and recover most if not all of the cheaper 15"/16" wheels & tyres?
Hth.
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