Choosing wheels... so many choices!

Discussion in 'MINI' started by agranger, Aug 22, 2017.

  1. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    #1 agranger, Aug 22, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2017
    OK... here's the story: I just acquired a 2005 JCW and it needs a refresh (posting my step-by-step over on another thread). I'm bouncing around on WHEELS, though, and would love to see a good discussion.

    I used to wish that everyone said how they hoped to use the car at the beginning of every 'what mod should I do?' post, so here it is: This is a fun car (not a daily driver). I enjoy detailing, polishing and cruizing, so looks are important to me. I also enjoy the occasional DE weekend and auto-X, but I don't expect to be competitive... it's more the fun of getting out there and seeing what the car can do.

    I'm in the middle of a refresh now... will probably update the suspension bits w/ medium-level coil-overs and adjustable bits to get the geometry right (without going full race coil-overs and roll cage). I don't wanna go slammed... I'm looking for a balance between sport, driveability and looks. I'll probably go w/ a big brake kit in the near future as well. Let's call my theme "stylish canyon carver" or, now that I live in NC, "Stylish Dragon Wagon".

    Here's my starting point:
    [​IMG]

    I've got 17" S-lites (I laugh every time I type that, given that they are over 25lbs each) on the car now and they are pretty much beat to hell. They gotta go.

    The 2 options I'm considering:

    1) The R113 18" JCW Cross Spoke wheel w/ the red stripe. A vendor is running a crazy sale price on 'em and I love the look. My car is CR, so I think the red stripe would be nice.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I'm a bit worried about 18" wheels, though. They are still several pounds lighter than the s-lites (these are 23lbs), but there are other, much lighter options like...


    2) An ultra-light 17" wheel: like the Oz Alleggerita HLT. These are under 16lbs! I remember the great feeling of acceleration when I ran my 16" ultralights on my old R53. Turn in was beautiful and it was just fun to drive. It's got a purposeful, racer look, that I like, but compared to the R113, they are just a bit plain. Having 7 lbs of unsprung weight less per corner would be noticeable, though.

    [​IMG]


    So... what are your thoughts? Go big and stylish or smaller/lighter and more performance minded? How much of a tradeoff would I be making between these 2 options?

    Thanks for your thoughts!
     
  2. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    #2 agranger, Aug 22, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2017
    I just did a bit of Google Image digging and I found this pic. I know it's the wrong generation, but it's getting close to where I think I'm headed, style-wise (though a bit less chrome):

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Red Bull

    Red Bull Active Member

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    #3 Red Bull, Aug 22, 2017
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    I went with the Allegerrita's and noticed a big difference in performance. The 17's are actually 14lbs so you'll be saving around 11lbs... more if you go from runflats to standard tires. Right now I'm running the runflats that came on the wheels, so going from R90's and Michelins to the OZ's and Dunlop's I dropped about 8lbs per corner. It should be around 10 when I replace the runflats.

    I also thought Aleggerrita's were plain looking so I waited to find used Special Editions which were released around 5 years ago. They had black centers with machined lips, with no other color options. I didn't like the black so I painted the centers matte anthracite metallic.

    The OZ's rub in the rear on big bumps with my setup. My car isn't super low, but might be lower than you're planning to go. Tire Rack has a warning about this and says shaving some of the plastic of the wheel liner/fender arch might be needed. I didn't have any rubbing when running the R90's with 5mm spacers in the rear.
     
  4. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Very nice. TY for the real-world feedback. I could always have the Allegerritas pinstriped for the flash of red.
     
  5. Red Bull

    Red Bull Active Member

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    Just edited my previous post with a little more info on fitment and rubbing.
     
  6. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I like the look of the R113 but I would not go bigger than 17's. My R53 has Eibach spring and Koni yellows so its about a 1" lower. I have no problems with the 17 rubbing.
     
  7. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    If I am voting purely on the options you presented then yeah, go with the 17" OZs. Well manufactured wheels that have fantastic function and, in my opinion, good looking form.
     
  8. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I like #2. :Thumbsup:
     
  9. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    OZ all day long. MINI wheels are 1 ugly and 2 very heavy 3 way overpriced.
     
  10. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    OZ's all day long !!
     
  11. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    I really like Rota RBs. They have a retro look that goes nicely with our MINIs.
     
  12. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Don't buy black wheels because that fad is dying like all the carbon fiber crap.
     
  13. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    MiniLites! Or, their reasonably priced, yet well made copies... Rota makes a nice one.
     
  14. Bugga

    Bugga New Member

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    Wheels.

    Here's the King Drifta 17"x7" wheels and 205-45 R17 Michelin tyres that I had fitted on my 2010 R56 Cooper D
     

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  15. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    LOL. I still like all the carbon fiber crap! I already have some fun with 3m Dinoc planned (a dry-look carbon fiber wrap)... probably the front scoop and some of the exterior chrome bits... interior stuff too!

    I probably won't go for black wheels, but I will go dark. On a CR/CR w/ painted arches, I think a dark wheel looks much better! I think that these are 'dark anthricite' and are about the right look for the OZ and me: [​IMG]
     
  16. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I changed my dirty white holeys to burnt orange to go with my Royal Grey '06 MCSa. It all comes down to one's preference as the car's owner. In my case, that color also compliments the dragon on the sunroof cover.
     
  17. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    It's not a fad if people still like the looks.......and who says you have to follow car fashion?

    :biggrin5:
     
  18. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    [​IMG]
     
  19. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    [​IMG]
     
  20. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Well... Holeys are simply beautiful! If I didn't want larger wheels for BBK plans, those would be an option!
     

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