1st Gen GP Early X-Mas For My GP

After a while searching which lightweight 15 inch wheels fit the GP, I chose the Motegi TrakLites 2 in 15x7 they came with thin tires RE01-Rs in 195/50-15, but I ordered a set of Nitto NT01s in 205/50-15 today. Also, installed the TSW Studs and Jack Points. And lastly some JCW R56 tips. I really wanted SSR Comps in 15x7.5 at 9.2lbs but very hard to find. But I knew the Motegi's at 10.2lbs would fit the JCW brakes.

 

Was a bit worried about brake clearance, but apparently 3mm clearance is all you need and I got about 4-5mm. 8mm spacers will give me a lot more clearance. Guess I will really need brake air ducts now. I really like the clean look of the studs and tuner lugs

 

JCW R56 Tips

JCW R56 Tips on R53 GP-Comparison Pics

 

Correct! R56 JCW tips are about 3/4ths the size of R53 tips and these got the same JCW emblem as R53 JCW. Notice that they are bigger, installed tip are bigger that tips below on the floor R53 JCW tips

Yes, screwed in.

The Tires are 195/50-15 RE01R's the diameter of these is 23.7, but the 205/50-15 are 23.95 should fill the gap a bit more, but regardless, it scrapes on Any driveway, speed bump, off-camber turn, so, doubt I will be lowering it, on the contrary, I hope camber plates give me another 10mm clearance.

 

Ouch!
I'm hoping the 0.25 mm increase in tire diameter provided by the 205/50-15 NT-01 tire both fills in the gap and increases front ride height as well as the camber plates giving it about 5mm lift in the front. The GP's front end sits lower than MCS, cause I had dropped my previous MCS and never had any scraping issues. The GP's lower black scrape piece is already pulling off. There is about 1.5 inch clearance. I checked in on the MINI-Madness 8mm spacers....Ouch!....$200:crazy: Likely to get H&R 10mm spacer instead for only $90, to mitigate any caliper clearance issues. Just concerned about the tire rubbing outter fender with a 10mm spacer.

 

I guess what concerns me (and why I'd prefer M-M 8mm spacers) is that this wheel has a 35mm offset. And the RE-01R 195/50-15 tire on now has a 7.2 width and the 205/50-15 NT01 has an 8.3 width. Here is a pic with the current RE-01R tire and H&R 5mm spacer.

 

Prestige MINI

I bought them at Prestige MINI for $160, but on eBay here: MINI Cooper JCW Logo Upgrade Chrome Exhaust Tips R56 S :eBay Motors (item 290375291796 end time Dec-28-09 09:43:42 PST)

 

Correct, part of R56 JCW (dealer installed) upgrade kit, as it has the old (R53 JCW) emblem on it. Early factory JCW did not have any emblem on it for a month, then got the new JCW emblem, the more rounded emblem. Don't know how or why Prestige MINI got individual tips maybe extra stock since MINI decided to make their own new JCW emblem.

Thanks!