Base se vs upper trims

P

Patrick drumm

New Member
Is there any noticeable difference in handling and range between a base se ( 16in wheels and no sunroof ) and upper trim levels with 17 in wheels. In theory the base model is lighter with an even lower center of gravity. Anyone have any hands on experience with this .
 
Can’t comment on handling but base trims weight slightly less and certainly less weight higher up without the glass roof.
In the grand scheme of things I doubt it makes much difference, stickier lower profile (wider?) tires on higher trims may help more for grip and steering feel but will add y spring weight which will reduce range slightly.
We have a base model and getting 180 miles in suburban situation is pretty easy. Never had less than 130 miles of range even at 70mph on the freeway.
 
16 in wheels are certainly more efficient because of the lower rotating mass. I'll be looking for a set of 16s for my winter wheels.
 
The ride height is the same. The 16s have taller tyre sidewalls. They actually have slightly shorter springs if I am reading the shop manual correctly.
I bought mine with 16s for ride and economy. Smaller diameter wheels are slightly more economical. That's mostly aerodynamics rather than weight.
 
I think for range, it depends more on wheel design (how aerodynamic the wheel design is) and the particular tires you are using...

My experience is based on a 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance and not a Mini Cooper SE..... Stock OEM wheels for the Model 3 Performance were 20" cast wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. I dropped down to 18" forged monoblock wheels with a Y-spoke design that were almost 10 lbs lighter per wheel and ran Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires. There was a noticeable seat of the pants improvement in acceleration and steering feel with the 18" wheels, but my range dropped by 10%. Other Model 3 owners report the same experiences and I am getting similar results with new wheels on our Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. Again, this was not with a Mini Cooper SE.....
 
I had 16s on my base and have 17s on my plus which also has the HK & sunroof and a few useless options. Without formal test equipment and matching temp, etc. the range is the same. I cant comment on the handling because the base had Hankooks and the plus has Goodyears.

I was content with my red base. When I was able to go from red to blue, and get the HK I got rid of the red and ordered the blue. I went to plus for the HK and the sunroof came with the package.
 
insightman said:
When I read all the problems Hyundai owners report on InsideEVs' forums, I'm my MINI Electric is standing on the shoulders of BMW's years of i3 experiences.
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Yes indeed. MINI/BMW does not receive enough credit for the genius that the SE actually is. Standing on the shoulders of the i3 has made the SE one of the most reliable BEVs. Even their manufacturing of the SE was genius by building both the ICE and the BEV on the same production line.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Tommm said:
I had 16s on my base and have 17s on my plus which also has the HK & sunroof and a few useless options. Without formal test equipment and matching temp, etc. the range is the same. I cant comment on the handling because the base had Hankooks and the plus has Goodyears.

I was content with my red base. When I was able to go from red to blue, and get the HK I got rid of the red and ordered the blue. I went to plus for the HK and the sunroof came with the package.
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I have Iconic minus with the "no charge" HK and leather seat delete.

Winter tire 16s gets me 1.8-4.0mi/kWh and summer tire 17s gets me ~4.1-5.8mi/kWh
 
The 17" power spoke wheels are supposed to be the most efficient wheels due to its weight and aerodynamic characteristics and they can only be had with the iconic trim.
 
sacharama said:
The 17" power spoke wheels are supposed to be the most efficient wheels due to its weight and aerodynamic characteristics and they can only be had with the iconic trim.
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Just don’t forget to have the counterweight on hand to balance them
 
fishbert said:
Power Spokes are all well and good, but Roulette Spokes add 10 horsepower. :cool:
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Happy for you to feel that way about the roulette spokes.

Personally the power spokes are one of the key factors to my decision to buy the SE. Watching the promo video of the "electric edition" which features the power spokes are mesmerizing when the "wagon wheel effect" optical illusion kicks in. It's simply beautiful!
 
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