So I was procrastinating the massive amounts of work I have to get done as the semester wraps up in the next few weeks and I was looking for some black wheels for the MINI that's not even left England yet.

(I really really wanted the black R112 Challenge wheels but no matter what I couldn't get them, so I've got the silver version with the JCW Package, thought about having them powdercoated but have heard bad things of having wheels powder coated)


And then I found these:
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...7.5&vid=019423


They look pretty close to the R112, has anyone bought these?

 

Go on eBay motors and search "mini Cooper wheels 17" and black knock off JCW challenge spoke are for sale, you can get them for 348.00. Then buy JCW genuine center caps and pop them in. They are identical.

 

You never really know what you're getting with knock off parts/wheels though.

The Drags are okay, I'm just not a fan of the red ring unless you have a red car. I don't think it would look good on green.

These are my favorite in matte black.

http://www.fastmini.net/tedypr12.html

 

I was really bummed that I couldn't get the black challenge spoke when I ordered, especially because the miniusa.com configurator gave me the option when the JCW package first hit around April 1. I'm probably just going to live with the silver version for the foreseeable future. Those Drags are pretty sweet, though.

I'll echo the warning about knockoff parts. You never know what kind of standards they are (or aren't) living up to.

Personally, I'll probably just keep my eyes peeled for someone unloading a set of the black challenge spoke. I'm in no rush to swap mine out.

 

That might not be a bad idea, I'm always weary about knock-offs, especially when it comes to something like wheels, would you buy a knock-off turbo?


I honestly didn't even think about that red line but you're right, it'd probably be almost as bad as BRGII/CR JCW.

 

Question: what have you heard bad about having wheels PC'd? I know several people that have had this done to their wheels with nothing but great results.

 

I remember reading somewhere about the heating process used affecting the structural integrity of the wheel.

 

Doubtful, unless they are seriously overheating the wheels. And if they are overheating them then you don't want to be using them anyways. They only heat the wheels to a max of 400 deg (usuall more like 350-375), which should do precisely nothing to a properly made wheel. I'd have to consult a metalurgist friend of mine to find out the temp required to damage the structure of a wheel, but I can guarantee you it'll be higher than 400.

 

i got the wheels powder coated on my r53 and had them on for 4 years with no probs. i thought thats all they would have done with the factory black jcw wheels.

 

More than likely it is, the PCing destroys your wheels, sounds like an alarmist rumor started by someone who knows little to nothing about metallurgy who heard they had to "heat up" the wheels. Funny thing is, all colored wheels are going to be the product of powder coating since it produces a much more durable finish than painting the wheels does.

 

Hmmmmm... cool, so how would powdercoating work with the tire pressure sensors?

 

I think there are no tyre pressure sensors, the car recognises a flat tyre from the difference in rotation speed between the wheels.

 

Got a link to where you found that info? cause that's the first I've heard of that.

Pretty sure they would unmount the TPMS as they would with the tires and then just re mount and balance everything when they were done.

 

I'll have to give a call the the powdercoating place I use and see how they do things.. in the mean time I'll decide if I want to copy the WC50 look and go black or go a little crazy and get em done in bronzee

 

bronze could be interesting on BRG

 

Bronze would be awesome.

 

Sorry I disagree with all of you questioning knock offs. I have had them on my car for one year with absolutely NO problems! I have hit many large potholes that jarred my teeth and nothing has happened. They look absolutely identical to the real ones as I have compared them side by side to the oem wheels. And they r made at an extremely reputable factory as I googled the company and researched it. And they only cost me 384.00 out the door! For that money who cares if something happens u toss them. I have lost more money at the local indian gaming casino in one night then that. I have put knock offs on my mustangs in the past with never a problem. Give me a break!

 

I am going to second the knock off questioning

I have these and love em !

I have had em for about 6-8 months

I did not put a center cap in the middle ,gives a clean look

 

Get em coated. If there are done right you wont have any issues. A close friend of mine runs a large powder coating operation and has done many rims and other parts for me. My Koseis are getting done here very shortly...

 

After a bit of research I found this.

It looks like that at some point in the States Mini switched from using the ABS sensors to some proper tire pressure sensors to comply with US safety laws. I think here in Europe they still use the ABS sensors to identify a flat tire.

 

Interesting read, thank you sir! I would have never even thought of using the abs sensor as part of a tpms.

 

2007

 

So I did some photoshop...

 

You take the tpms sensors off for the coating process...
Additionally the temp for powder coating is 400 degrees. NOTHING about the structure or durability of your wheel will be compromised.

 

Bronze. Bronze! BRONZE! Dooo it.