What do you think about the MINI R99 Anthracite wheels on a dark silver/black top/mirror caps MCS? I ordered the car with standard crown spokes as I was going to put aftermarket wheels on it within a week of delivery but ran across these at my dealer.

I want to stick with the same 17's as this way I'll have an extra set of tires.

Opinions please? Thanks

 

you might want to look at Tire Rack"s wheels. Probably can find lighter . cheaper wheels in gray or matte black. The MINI wheels are nice but pricey unless dlr. is giving credit for crown spokes. I think OZ has some nice ones that might be worth checking out. A friend on mine is getting the OZ superleggera on his DS/Blk Cooper S. He is going with the silver painted with brushed lip to bring in some contrast.

I love the monocolor look but sometimes its just TOO MUCH. You might also want to consider anthracite wheels might be next to impossible to repair if damaged. I had an M-3 and the wheels were beatiful but I had a nick in one and it could not be fixed w/o replacement.

Here is a monocolor car with contrasting wheels as an example.

 

Which aftermarket wheels were you thinking of? Verify that they can fit the new tire pressure sensors (chances are it will be okay).

I like the R99s a lot, but all of the OEM wheels are expensive when purchased separately. Here they are in anthracite with dark silver (but white roof and aero kit).

 

Wait until you get the car, then decide. A lot can happen between now and then and would be a bummer to spend the money and then decide you like the factory-installed rims. They (R99 Anthratice) would like nice, but wait until you see her at the dealer first...

 

Whoa That is one nice looking car.... Oh. It's mine

Just a word on the R99's, the finish on them is fantastic, and (after the white ones of my previous) it takes a long time for them to look dirty. Fairly sure they're one of the lightest options too.

EDIT: In view of Mach V Dan's reply, apologies, I meant lighter compared to other 17" options available through the MINI dealer.

 

21.9 pounds. Not so light.

I like the look, but I'd go with an aftermarket rim. (And I'm not just saying that because I sell 'em!)

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net

 

Thanks for all the advice and pic's. My dealer is giving me a $500 credit towards any geniune MINI part or accessory when I take delivery so I could get the R99's for $1700'ish.

 

$1700!!! Whoa, the retail on that wheel/tire package is $2300! That kind of change buys a heck of an aftermarket wheel. Heck, you could get three sets of our most affordable 17" wheels, and have enough left over for a couple of sets of tires. Or a get a set of almost any snazzy lightweight aftermarket wheel, with premium tires. I hadn't realized the price tag on those things were so high. Now I'd REALLY recommend aftermarket.

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net

 

I'm all for opinions, but opinions are like buttholes...we all have one. I suggest that after you get our opinions and shop around, then choose the wheels that you like and can afford. However, I strongly agree with the advise to wait until you take possession of your new Mini. Patience is supposed to be a virtue...but sometimes it's a pain in the butt!
Good luck,
gaminis

 

The Mini Coopers do not have actual mounted tire pressure sensors. They use the ABS sensors to detect if one wheels starts to spin slower than the others to detect a change in air pressue.

 

CooperB, which aftermarket wheels were you originally thinking of?

The R99 anthracite wheels are MSRP $290 each, without tires. That's high but not outrageous. They are charging about $300/tire! I'd say if you like the wheels, get them along with tires from a different source other than the dealer.

No longer true. This month, MINIs started shipping with tire pressure sensors in the stems:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=112690
http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/09/...toring-system/

 

Most likely not anymore. I just picked up my MCS yesterday and it has the new TPMS that are integrated in the valve stem assembly. Like CooperB I planned all along to get aftermarket wheels. Most likely the ones I have on order will be fine, but I've read in a few places on NAM that they need to be replaced with the new wheels, are hard to get, and are not cheap.

By the way, I ordered the Konig Feather Black 17x7 for my DS/B. I'll post pics when they are put on, hopefully in the next few days.

 

Here's my two cents.. I'd use that $500 spending allowance on an iPod adapter, and get some kick *** aftermarket wheels/tires. With your color combo a set of matte black Ultralaggeras from TireRack would look super sick.

 

No way would I buy tires from a dealer, you'll be paying at least double what you should. The wheels in your picture look dirty to me, not dark or light enough. Just my 2 pennies....

 

One other option is go to: http//www.wheelcollision.com. They have the R99 Antracite wheels for $225 each and they can ship for free via UPS. These wheels are factory fresh and would save you some $$$ in the long run. They'll even give you a discount if you want to send them your factory rims.

Hope this helps

 

+1 they always look dirty!

also to follow up on my TPMS comment, i talked to my favorite local tire dealer this morning and he said they'll just transfer the valve stems over to the new wheels, no big deal at all. I'll find out tomorrow morning if it's really 'no big deal'.

 

any update on the konig wheels? im thinking of getting them but have the direct tpms... btw, did you get them from alta? also, pix would be great!

 

IMO tho only good MINI wheels are FREE MINI wheels.

There are no wheel and tire packages from MINI that can't be improved upon in the aftermarked for half the price.

That said, I have Web Spokes (in the spokrt pack for $500)... AND a set of S-lites for the winter!!! (Hard to argue when I got all 4 for $125 )

But like I said, in hindsight I would have gone a slighly different (higher quality, lighter, less expencive) route if I had it to do over again.