Okay, after asking a million questions over the last couple months, I'm ordering my new, all-black '08 MCS on Sunday. Got all my factory and dealer options figured. Now I'm thinking about aftermarket options, starting with wheels.

Okay. I'm looking at light weight 17" silver colored wheels to sport a set of 205/45-17 BFG KDW2's. The car is slightly lowered with JCW suspension.

The wheels I like are Enkei RS-M's (15.5lbs / 17x7 / 45mm offset) and OZ Ultraleggeras (16.0lbs / 17x7 / 37mm offset). I don't understand what difference the different offsets will make, and I'm also looking for feedback on either of these wheel choices.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

Get them from Alex at the Tire Rack X294 and ask him,he's very technical.

 

Enkei RSM 17x7 has offset of +45mm $245 15.5 lbs each
1 piece Gravity cast (with MAT technology) construction, 1 year finish warranty
see
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp&techid=90


O.Z. Ultraleggera 17x7 +37mm offset $265 16 lbs
1 piece low pressure cast/ shot peened construction
Carbon Fiber centercap, 2 year finish warranty

Both will fit for you but the Enkei will offer a little more clearance and much more room (very close to stock offset of +48mm) if you ever decide on lowering your MINI any more than with the JCW suspension. Lowered MINIs will not easily fit wheels with +37 offset, better at +42 to +45mm.

For now you are good with those tires using either rim. Both are close enough on weight it boils down to looks or if you are keeping the JCW suspension.

Both options are good. Low pressure cast construction a little better and stronger than gravity cast.

Before you buy the BFGoodrich KDW2 which are good, check out the Bridgestone potenza RE-01R in 205/45-17 which are really good for performance driving and still good for street, more comfortable than the KDW2 and likely better in wet as well. Does wear faster though.

Alex can help if you have any other questions.

OE sensors required for both rims.