Well, after about a week of messing around with a bent wheel, (not bad at all dealing with 18Racing, it's just shipping time), I mounted the wheels and Pilot Sports on the car this morning This was the look I was hoping for. There is a lot of clearance everywhere so don't give that a second thought if you are considering this wheel.

Thought I would share after you all heard my frustrations from last week .

Thanks, Gene

P.S. The "Bug-Guards" have been mailed to the testers!

 

Looks great. I'm glad every thing turned out all right. What are the bug gaurds ?

 

They look great! Are those hyper black or gunmetal?

 

Nice wheels! And a pretty decent color match, too!

 

The wheels are what they call a "Royal Gunmetal", being about two shades darker then the dark silver from Mini. They are close enough to look good but far enough off to make it look intentional, if you know what I mean.

The "Bug-Guards" are a new product I am testing with the help of a couple of "NAM'ers" which will snap over the dual radiators on the 02-06 models to keep bugs and rocks off the fins. Look for more Vendor announcements.

Gene

 

they look fantastic! For those new to the story, can you post rim & tire sizes. thanks!

 

The wheels are the Rota RB's in 16X7, Royal Gunmetal. The tires are Michelin's Pilot Sports in 205X50X16's.

Gene

 

Looking good.

Next stop- LOWERING!!!!

 

+1 . It's the only thing missing.

 

Come on guys, I just took it for a nice spirited drive on Sunday morning after getting rid of the runflats and was smiling all the way on how well it rides. Now you want me to lower it and rough it up again, hmmm, we'll see

Gene

 

H-Sports do not roughen up the ride.

+3 on the lowering.

 

Very Nice! I have been wanting to see what those look like on a Dark Silver MCS.

What size tire did you go with? Is it a stock size or can something be put on that will fill the wheel wells a little more and not through of the speedo?

Edit, never mind... you answered the size Q up there.

 

Also... what is the weight of the 16x7 RB?

 

I believe the weight to be about 17 pounds. I checked with many folks on the tire size including the good folks at Tire Rack and they all said go with the 205X50X16's if you want to motor with zero concerns about rubbing. Well, in hindsight I should have gone for a taller tire, but that will have to be the next set of skins.

I took an early drive yesterday (Sun) and had it up to about 95mph, smooth as glass and boy what everybody says about the ride difference with the runflats gone is spot on. No need for a kidney belt now

Gene

 

Careful, Gene. . . I would just say, " I had it up to Highway speeds. . ."

They don't take kindly to those tyapes 'round hmya.

-[[[S]]]

 

IBFTL! jk

205/50/16's are what i use on my 16's too. mine are 16x7.5 though.

 

Sorry did I say 95 MPH, I really meant 95 KM/H

Gene