I just got a set of wheels from WheelMax (fast and cheap, and the wheels look great!), and it came with the plastic hubcentric rings. How necessary is it I get the metal ones. I don't do autocross, and if I do anything like that, it will not be alot. Just normal driving, and twisties when I can.....

 

You'll be fine. I've had the plastic ones on for a few months now and even with some aggresive driving albeit, no racing, I've had no issues. Just make sure to recheck the torque maybe a few days after they're on.

 

they break a lot... mostly when you try to put the rims on the hub in a rush because they can break easily. when the lug nuts are on then you really shouldn't worry.

 

I don't really plan to take them off, unless necessary...

 

I've been running the plastic Wheel Max rings for about 5 months with no problems what so ever.

 

I've run them on the track with no issues. For street use you'll be fine.

 

Should be OK for street driving- put on some antiseize to it doesn't get stuck to the hub nor the wheel if you don't rotate wheels that much.

I have melted plastic rings with track use but for street or autocross it should be no problem.

 

i think my current wheels are sporting plastic rings on my MCS.
they work just fine.

 

Cheapass.

Kidding. Kidding.

 

 

Alright kids!

 

the fastest MINI driver i know uses plastic hub rings. he as 235 whp, stoptechs, sticky r-comps, etc.....he has used these for several years w/ no issues.

 

The melt issue is something I hadn't considered before but is not the only issue you "should" consider.

I have 2 sets of wheels & tires, 1 w/ plastic, the other w/ metal. One of my plastic ones got mushroomed when a tire jockey put my lugs on unevenly then forced the wheel the rest of the way on w/ impact wrench.

I didn't know until I tried to take that tire off to change brake pads! Man, was it ever stuck. Made me mutter words I normally don't admit using.

Some tire places don't let customers in their shop area, find one that does!

 

Heh, heh... I solved that problem... I don't let tire places TOUCH my MINI... I take them wheels, they mount tires, I inspect the wheels (inside and out) to make sure they didn't destroy them, I take wheels back home and install. They say "but we'll mount them on the car for the same price" and I say "I know - but no thank you!"

 

i drive my wheels all the way out to Tirerack to have the techs
mount the tires for me. then drive back and mount it on my car.

 

ive had only plastic hub rings and never had issues

that said, i dont run a ring on the track, just to avoid problems

 

+ 1 No problems even on with track use.

 

I've never melted mine - AX, track, and daily driving... BUT, Dr. Mike, on the other hand, literally incinerated a set at the track. Being Dr. Mike, he machined his own aluminum set on a lathe from some spare material laying around. He's never had a problem since!

 

I personally mount my tires and then wheels/tires on the car.

 

not fair!

 

Fastest in what measured way?

Track lapping?
Drag racing?
Autocross?
Pro Solo racing?

It's during heavy braking use that enough heat is generated to melt plastic.

I never melt plastic rings unless it's on a track doing lapping or driving school. I wouldn't go on a track with no rings if the wheels were supposed to have rings.

If you use your brakes hard enough and they don't cool down enough you risk heat problems-

I've melted heavy plastic rings- make them look totally distorted and stuck to the hub.
Boiled brake fluid
Cracked cross drilled rotors
Brunt/discolored brake caliper paint- from bright red to black brown.

 

fastest on road courses. he used to be doing lapping, but is now running w2w. he brakes very late and very hard. maybe he has "plastic" w/ a higher melting point. i use aluminum, but i figure that if he doesn't melt his, they must be ok.

 

You sir, know how to have fun.