Bought 13.5 lb 17 X 7 Centerline RPM rims black pearl from Randy today. Went to Costco & ordered Bridgestone 215/40/17 SO3 tires. Tire price includes shipping & mounting and is same price as tire alone from the big mail order folks (with their $60 off coupon good for few more days).
If i bought mounted tires/rims from Randy shipping to HI is over $350 UPS or a bit less with USPS. Unbelieveable.

 

Are you saying that you are getting the S-03s for $163 each (tirerack price) including shipping and mounting?
If so that is a great deal- how long on the wait time?
I am still waiting on my centerline RPMs with Yokohama AVS ES100s (less than $100 per tire). I had Randy ship all via USPS for hopefully less than the rate by UPS.
Can't wait for them to arrive.


_________________
ALOHA

 

bgrpph,

You sure you want the 215/40-17 and not the 215/45-17s? The 215/40-17s do not have the load capacity for our cars. I recently bought tires (S03s) and wheels (SSR GT1s) from Tirerack and they gave me a heads-up on my original order of 215/40-17 so I changed to 215/45-17.

There is discussion on this topic on the tire forum at : "Tires, Wheels, & Brakes Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack :: 215/40/17 vs 215/45/17"

I also used the Costco coupon and bought some tires for our minivan. Can't beat Costco they fix flats for free!

 

Yeah, sorry I did not also mention this about the tire size mentioned,
Alex@tirerack.com says that for that 40 series tire the load capacity is a bit on the low side for our
MCS and he recommends the 45 series tire which is the one I had ordered with my
Centerlines. Think about it and call Costco- how come they did not mention this to you????

 

minihune,

You are definitely patient when it comes to waiting for your parts! At this rate my car may be over there before your tires/wheels!

The guys at Costco don't really know their tires. My local Costco guy did not want to sell me the Bridgestones I put on our van because "they were higher performance than I needed and they would wear faster than I wanted" so I told him who was he to tell me what our van needs!

 

>>minihune,
>>
>>You are definitely patient when it comes to waiting for your parts! At this rate my car may be over there before your tires/wheels!
Well, I waited a long time with my Team Dynamics Pro Race 1 wheels on backorder for several weeks before I swithced my order to the Centerline RPMs around the first week in June. So I guess if it turns into July before I get my wheels then yes I will turn into a pumpkin. But I can still drive my MCS-I think


At least the guys at my costco had the sense to refer me to tirerack.com when I asked about replacement tires for my MCS!

 

minihune,

No doubt, your "idle" time was spent well. Your ride was very choice! Both exhaust and audio were sweet! I am looking for that driver's side (Euro shelf?) shelving that you had - where can I get that?

 

>>minihune,
>>
>>No doubt, your "idle" time was spent well. Your ride was very choice! Both exhaust and audio were sweet! I am looking for that driver's side (Euro shelf?) shelving that you had - where can I get that?
With me there is never "idle" time. Since shipping is horrible. I just keep more ordering. Eventually the stuff arrives and everybody is happy. Except for the upgrade police. It's like the police know that the criminals are up to no good but they (the police) are powerless to stop them. I digress. Shhhh! The police are starting to wake up.

For info on the shelf see
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...amp;topic=7680
you can buy it throught Classic auto campus-one of the MCO sponsors-see
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/classicauto.php
I like my shelf-makes me feel european. Sort of.


_________________
ALOHA

 

I talked with Randy many times about rims/tires, read the posts & went back/forth with 16 or 17 till I was nuts & didn't want to think about it anymore. Decided to go with light rims Randy offered. I spoke to him again yesterday about 215/40 vs 215/45/17 before ordering them from Costco. Thought they'd look nice and handle great with my H-sport springs.

He assures me 215/40/17 are fine- he seems to know his stuff on everything else so i took his word. Know many are running these without issue from postings. Tire rack also advises against using 215/45/16 which many are using successfully.

215/40/17 SO 3 were $160 at tire rack + shipping--- $183 ea at costco less $15 ea including shipping & mounting. (the 215/45/17 were $ 12 less only $171 at costco). May take 2-4 weeks depending if they have to be shipped from mainland warehouse. Seemed like decent deal to me. Randy is shipping rims USPS next week- I just couldn't see spending $300-$350 for shipping mounted rims/tires-
I've been MINIless for over week- driving subaru rental from MINI HI--- having withdrawals. Took it in 6/19 for few things (window not dropping, coolant tank leak, trans/clutch rattle at idle than stops when clutch depressed & occasional difficulty moving from 2 or 3rd gear sometimes). MINI HI ordered new transmission & clutch, etc. Hope to get car back week of 8th and have tires/rims in time Aloha 500-
If not i'll be there on my S lites & run flats.

 

Looks like all of you will be ready for the Aloha 500. See you there!

 

>>minihune,
>>
>>No doubt, your "idle" time was spent well. Your ride was very choice! Both exhaust and audio were sweet! I am looking for that driver's side (Euro shelf?) shelving that you had - where can I get that?

Here is the official vendor post from the past-
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...pic=9421&0

 

>>I talked with Randy many times about rims/tires, read the posts & went back/forth with 16 or 17 till I was nuts & didn't want to think about it anymore. Decided to go with light rims Randy offered. I spoke to him again yesterday about 215/40 vs 215/45/17 before ordering them from Costco. Thought they'd look nice and handle great with my H-sport springs.

Yes, I have had the same conversation as you with Randy. And I have read what Alex has posted from tirerack.com-Alex's point is valid. Simply when you consider the load that the 40 series tire can take it will be less than that of the 45 series tire or the stock wheel. It doesn't mean that it won't fit or work with one/two person(s) in the car. But fully loaded down, you are taking your chances because you might be getting to the load limit/rating.

Would you fly a helicopter or plane overloaded? Would you run your performance car overloaded? I have seen how capable a driver you are so just be careful out there- that's all. I will be getting the 215/45-17 wheels.

>>He assures me 215/40/17 are fine- he seems to know his stuff on everything else so i took his word. Know many are running these without issue from postings. Tire rack also advises against using 215/45/16 which many are using successfully.

I have exchanged emails with Alex and it is untrue that tirerack advises against 215/45-17 "strictly"- it will work but they have other tire sizes that they deem more suitable like the stock 205/45-17 size- which unfortunately doesn't give us much selection of good tires-hence the dilemna.

>> 215/40/17 SO 3 were $160 at tire rack + shipping--- $183 ea at costco less $15 ea including shipping & mounting. (the 215/45/17 were $ 12 less only $171 at costco). May take 2-4 weeks depending if they have to be shipped from mainland warehouse. Seemed like decent deal to me. Randy is shipping rims USPS next week- I just couldn't see spending $300-$350 for shipping mounted rims/tires-

This is very suspicious. I didn't think that costco would bring in the special order of tires for you and include shipping price. Mounting is extra. If they cover shipping then great deal. I will be picking up my next set from them.
Just have to pay tax and wait a month.

>> I've been MINIless for over week- driving subaru rental from MINI HI--- having withdrawals. Took it in 6/19 for few things (window not dropping, coolant tank leak, trans/clutch rattle at idle than stops when clutch depressed & occasional difficulty moving from 2 or 3rd gear sometimes). MINI HI ordered new transmission & clutch, etc. Hope to get car back week of 8th and have tires/rims in time Aloha 500-
>> If not i'll be there on my S lites & run flats.

The S-lites/Pirellis will work just fine. It is the driver not the equiptment that makes the day in the end.
You'll be fine and it will be fun as Hell

 

minihune,

You probably already know this but it looks like they are taking pre-orders for the SSR Comp Rs at Tire Rack. 11 pounds!

 

how much were they at costco?

 

>>how much were they at costco?
Costco's prices for the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 will vary with size. The 215/45-17 were $171 while the 215/40-17 was a little less about $158 each. $9 for each tire to mount and balance lifetime. Shipping is included in the price and shipping time to Hawaii was minimum 4-5 weeks. Also available is the new Online costco site for buying tires shipped by UPS I think.


DakineMINI-
Yes I have been tracking the SSR compR 16x6.5 rims since Feb 03 when I bought my car and the thread for it started much earlier like late in 2002. The orders are from tirerack with anticipated delivery sometime around August or later but I don't know if that will be true until it comes. Things always get delayed. Also there are no centercaps, no machined lip and only anthracite finish so not much to choose from. I was quoted about $1750 for a full set of 4 delivered to Hawaii when the price was more like $285 per rim and now it is about $299 per rim. 11 pound rims sound good but then I have to worry about strength and potholes. The Centerline RPMs I went with are about the same price for a 17"x7 rim at 13 pounds and very strong in polished (chrome like) finish which I like- has centercaps.

 

Centerline RPM rims arrived from Randy last week. He called to say be sure they fit as another set he just shipped to Big Island had hubcentric rings that were to small. I tried mine and found out I had no rings at all and wheel moved all over place on hub. Still haven't heard from Randy as he's at pulley install not sure what gives.
Called Centerline today to see if i could get correct rings from them. They don't make rings, had no clue, were not helpful- said this was aftermarket item i should call retailer. Meanwhile my SO 3 tires from costco also arrived and had them installed. They sit in house awaiting hubcentric rings. Hoped to get some miles on tires to use them at Aloha 500- oh well guess its runflats and s lites.
another biggy- have to make decision tomorrow on JCW kit that arrives next week at MINI of HI. Its only $ yah??

 

Is Randy a 1 man operation? If so, try PMimg him from here. If he's on the road, he probably checks this board.

BTW, nice seeing you on tv last night!

 

he just got back from the pulley party he was doing i talked to him thursday.

 

>>Centerline RPM rims arrived from Randy last week. He called to say be sure they fit as another set he just shipped to Big Island had hubcentric rings that were to small. I tried mine and found out I had no rings at all and wheel moved all over place on hub. Still haven't heard from Randy as he's at pulley install not sure what gives.
>>Called Centerline today to see if i could get correct rings from them. They don't make rings, had no clue, were not helpful- said this was aftermarket item i should call retailer. Meanwhile my SO 3 tires from costco also arrived and had them installed. They sit in house awaiting hubcentric rings. Hoped to get some miles on tires to use them at Aloha 500- oh well guess its runflats and s lites.
>> another biggy- have to make decision tomorrow on JCW kit that arrives next week at MINI of HI. Its only $ yah??
Yes-RandyBMC is a one man operation and yes PM here on MCO and on email is best. Also if I can talk to him on phone (not always reachable and phone messages all backed up) that would be the surest.
I also ordered the Centerline RPM in polished finish. Mostly OK, a little messed up on the finish. Very good on weight- entire wheel tire and rim is 37 pounds (14 for rim and 23 for tire) compared to 48 for each original.
I have centercaps and red/silver plastic centerline words on one of the six spokes. Tires are Yokohama ES100 and
have directional arrow which match the centerline words. Had to check this all to mount wheels in correct orientation for treads. I have no hubcentric rings. Just the rim, the bare hub fits onto the car and bolts in OK. Seems to be good fit with nearly the same thread depth. I reused all stock lug bolts and locking bolts from dealership.
I drove around with new pair on rears only (I only got two so far and still waiting on the rest of my order- shipped by regular US mail on 6/26 and arrived 7/17- speedy ehh? Shipping cost $43 each wheel!!!). So far so good.
Not really noticable at low speeds. I hope my wheels don't fall off.

 

Now you need the cross drilled Zimmermans with those wheels!

Just make sure you get the rings as you can damage your wheels without them. Maybe they are machined rings and you just don't notice them when they are in the hub bore? I know bgrpph was worried about them. Since he lives near me I can check them out for him. PM me if you want me to look at them.

 

>>Now you need the cross drilled Zimmermans with those wheels!
>>
>>Just make sure you get the rings as you can damage your wheels without them. Maybe they are machined rings and you just don't notice them when they are in the hub bore? I know bgrpph was worried about them. Since he lives near me I can check them out for him. PM me if you want me to look at them.

What does a hubcentric ring look like? When you face the rear of the wheel- the part facing the axle. You see four holes and a flat or nearly flat metal hub. There is no extra piece or spacer. It is all one piece of metal.
In the stock S-lite wheel from the back there are four rectangular indents-I assume this helps to center the wheel onto the MINI's axle hub? Then just bolt in? On the Centerlines I don't think there are any indents so the wheel can be positioned anywhere by just lifting the wheel up or down and sideways. Then the bolts fit in and can be fastened.
So where does the hubcentric ring come into play?:(
If you were going to check, do you have to take off the wheel or is it apparent?

 

The hub ring goes into the hub bore itself. So, the rim must be off the vehicle and you must inspect it from the backside of the wheel. When looking at the hub bore, if the cylindrical area is smooth from inside to outside, you probably do not have a hubring. However, if there is a protuberance from the hub near the back of hte wheel, you may have the hubring. The best thing is to think of a circle within a circle.

 

>>The hub ring goes into the hub bore itself. So, the rim must be off the vehicle and you must inspect it from the backside of the wheel. When looking at the hub bore, if the cylindrical area is smooth from inside to outside, you probably do not have a hubring. However, if there is a protuberance from the hub near the back of hte wheel, you may have the hubring. The best thing is to think of a circle within a circle.
Where is the hub bore? On the wheel or on the MINI?
There are two parts that fit together. One is the wheel and the other is the hub it attaches to on the MINI. On neither is there any piece that looks like it is added or loose that can be removed. It looks like on the MINI there is a metal hub and it is smooth with four holes for the bolts. On the Wheel it is mostly smooth with some various surfaces none of which look like a circle within a circle.
Sounds like I do not have concentric hub rings. Does this matter?

 

after changing only the rear wheels it looks like I have much more negative camber than before with the stock wheels (-0.75 degrees from my last alignment)
Earlier I had thought that I did not need to redo alignment but now I am not so sure. I will see how the front wheels go on before deciding about alignment. Kind of difficult switching wheels and redoing the camber settings. My two tire sizes are 215/45-17 on the new rims and stock 205/45-17 on S-Lites The 215s seem less than a half inch taller outer dimension wise.

 

Beastmaster sent you pm.
minihune- i wouldn't drive on these rims yet till you get the rings. Also did lugs come with yours? They did with mine. I've not compared them to the stock lugs but Randy said not to use the stock lugs with these rims. not sure why though if yours fit?
Are you going to mini mart? if you going bring one of your rims & i'll do the same. Tried calling Randy in afternoon today-only his msg. Hoping to get him tomorrow but he's probably at track. Send him email, pm, etc.