As a lot of you know, I'm planning on selling my factory JCW in the spring. It's probably going to be more like late May or early June.

The problem is, I regrettably sold my OEM Challenge wheels. The wheels that I, and 99% of people on here love to death. I sold them to buy another set from a NAM member, and the deal fell through. Now the only set of wheels I have are my winter wheels (Black Enkei Performance Imola & Pirelli SottoZero). The wheels & tires themselves are in great shape but the paint is starting to chip off a little bit.

I have a few options:
1.) Try to locate another set of Challenge wheels for the sale. It seems like the car might be easier to sell with the OEM wheels. ~$1200
2.) Buy a set of silver Enkei RPF1's and better tires for the sale. Easier to find than challenge wheels, and about 9 lbs lighter. ~$1300
3.) Get my winter wheels repainted and get some new summer or all season tires. ~$600

What option do you think would be best? What would you want with the car?? Basically I'm trying to figure out which way would be the easiest to sell the car. I think I already know the answer to this but I'd like some opinions from as many people as possible. Maybe wheels don't really matter to someone spending the extra coin on a JCW, but who knows.

Big decisions!!

Here's a couple pictures of what it looks like both ways. FWIW, the car DOES have the joey mod with my custom angel eye mod now. The black headlights also play a big role in whether I should have black or silver wheels on it. Also, it's in wintermode with the black wheels, so there is no splitter on the front and the suspension has been raised a bit.

 

I really like the Enkei Imolas... I have them in dark silver as my winter wheels... but will very likely switch them to summer use with wider tires and have the OE Challenge wheels for the winter.

I think you will find the average buyer doesn't even know the difference between a factory JCW and a MCS so the Challenge wheels may not be an issue. Not even sure if the average buyer would care if they are winter tires. Not sure if spending $$ at this point would give you much of a return.

If it were my car to keep, I would repaint dark silver... maybe darker than stock Imolas... but of course that doesn't help with your selling question.


2011121_0012[r]--2012JCWDelivery_StCatharines_edited-1.jpg by walk0080, on Flickr

 

i dont think you would have trouble selling that car with the enkei's it looks real nice on there!

 

what are you buying to replace the mini?

 

Don't waste the money changing the wheels, just sell it the way it is.

 

Agreed. Sell it like it is. If the offers don't come in as expected then you should consider it, but reality is unless they are a seasoned MINI owner already they'll likely not understand what isn't on the car and will likely just be a waste of your money to buy them again. Considering most of the money spent on features on a new car is wasted once you look to sell it, I would have to lump the replacement of the wheels in the same bucket. You likely won't recoup the cost.

 

I guess you guys bring up some pretty good points, and it seems like you're all saying that same thing. Thanks! Although I'm hoping I get to sell this car to an enthusiast, or at least someone on NAM, not some random buyer.

I'll be replacing it with a Lotus Exige.

 

And that is why I keep my stock parts. Just incase the day comes that I trade it in or sell or worse.

 

I agree; sell as is.

If you need to do something at all, then have your current wheels professionally media blasted, then powder coated black. That'd be the way to go, for ultimate durability.

 

I usually do. I have boxes and boxes and boxes of stock parts. The wheels were the only thing I ever sold, besides a gas cap, but I wasn't planning on selling the car at that time.

 

Keep the bleedin' thing and turn it into a track beast/daily driver, or whatever you can afford . Lotus .

 

Haha I my original plan was to buy an older Elise and keep the JCW as a DD, but then I saw the Exige....

I just gotta have it!

 

If I were a buyer for your car, the silver wheels would be my choice, hands down!

 

Leave the Mini as is!

Now lets see, Lotus or Mini, Lotus or Mini, Lotus or Mini, not really much
of a choice is it!!!!!
Lotus, Lotus, Lotus.
I went to the British car show this fall in Toronto and saw a number there.
Beautiful machines but would need to work on your flexibility and hope you have a good back!!!!

 

Voting is 6:1 for keeping the Imolas...

I'll probably just get them powder coated in the spring and get some new tires.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses as always.