Has anyone put the original Minilite racing wheels on a MC or MCS? http://www.minilitewheels.com/cgi-bi...m&cart_id= These wheels really give the modern MINI a retro look. My MCS order doesn't go in until the end of the month, but I'm thinking of a second set of wheels (winter / performance).
Cheers,
KAR120C

 

The link that you gave takes you to the picture of my Velvet Red 2003 Cooper with the 15x6 Minilites made just for the New MINI. It is not the best picture but I like the look very much. They are 15x6 ET39 and #17. I'm using them for summer wheels and will use my stock 8 spoke for winter. However the reverse would work just as well.
Steve at Main Street Motorsports is a great guy to work with. If you like the Minilite look you won't be dissapointed.

 

I had looked at these wheels when I first got my MCS, but have decided to stay with the factory v-spokes. I like the minilite design, and here's a thought... I wouldn't put 6" wide wheels on an S. You won't be able to put a wide enough tire to get the traction the S needs. IMO you should go with a 15x6.5" or even 7" width if they make it, that way you can go with 205 width tires and give it a little of that short-fat look of the classics.

 

The reason I went with the 17" S-Lites was because I thought that they looked the closest to the Minilites of the stock MINI wheels ....if you stand 300 yards away and squint...

 

Edlfrey,
Did you encounter any issues mounting, balancing the Minilites? Did you buy them over the counter at the Main Street Motorsports location or mail/web?
I really like the classic look of these wheels. Just call me old fashioned. I agree the 17" lite wheels look similar to the Minilite but I don't want a 17" wheel. Again, the 16" give it a more classic look.

 

>>Edlfrey,
>>Did you encounter any issues mounting, balancing the Minilites? Did you buy them over the counter at the Main Street Motorsports location or mail/web?
>>I really like the classic look of these wheels. Just call me old fashioned. I agree the 17" lite wheels look similar to the Minilite but I don't want a 17" wheel. Again, the 16" give it a more classic look.
>>

KAR120C,
I bought my Minilights via e-mail. Steve handled the whole transaction to my complete satisfaction. The way he talked the wheels are built as ordered and there isn't a large inventory in England, but he told me when delivery would be and was "right on" getting them to me. The price included shipping into the US, I paid shipping from CT to Reno, NV. I also asked about locking wheel bolts and he got a very nice set of silver ones from England that match the wheels nicely.

No issues with mounting or balancing (I had them balance with the weights on the inside) by Big O Tire. You comment that the 16" give it a more classic look; mine are 15". Don't know if that was a mistype by you or not. At the time I bought mine they had no 16" in this style but I would have gone 15" even if they had. I'm old fashioned as well and prefer more rubber vs more wheel. :smile:

 

whats the diff between these and the panasports?

 

Also what is the price per wheel the weight of each wheel? Avail styles? and off set and I would switch from my 17' s lites to a 16" 6.5 or 7" in. Do you know if they have them in a crome or bright silver finish?

 

>>whats the diff between these and the panasports?
red03minis,
Minilite was the original and Panasport is the knockoff. There is also Superlite and Minot(?) that have the same "look". Differences in prices, sizes etc just like all the other wheel builders that make simular wheels.

Gas2Hi,
Go to the site shown above http://www.minilitewheels.com for styles, sizes and prices. You might then contact Steve and tell him exactly what you are looking for and see what he comes up with. When I bought mine they were not shown on the web site and there seem to be new products coming out quicker than he can redo his site. As I said above mine are 15x6 with ET39 and 17Lb, were offered in silver only when I got them, priced at $235/wheel the best I can remember. Total cost including shipping, locking lug bolts and mounting was right around $1K.

 

>>
>>>>whats the diff between these and the panasports?
>>red03minis,
>>Minilite was the original and Panasport is the knockoff.

ah i see. well for a knock off panasports are pretty highly regarded i hear
panasports are about 800 for a set of 4 :smile: 16 inch