The Enkeis I wanted are most unfortunately no longer available. So now I need to choose between the runner up and a new contender.

The wheels will be going on a PW/B '07 MCS. Tires are 215/45/17 Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season.

Both wheels weigh almost the same, cost exactly the same, have a nice sized machined lip and I love the look of either. Primary thing is I've never seen either in person. Also this will be my first wheel purchase (as the MCS is my first car) so I'm specifically looking for experience with them. General quality, strength, how they're holding up, etc. Both seem to be reputable brands, but I don't know too much about either. Opinions strictly related to aesthetics are more than welcome as well.

First up are Rota RBs in gunmetal:
(credit to Mach V Dan for the photo)


17x7.5" and 18.2lbs. Yes, I know that's not lightweight, but for the price and compared to OEM 17's it's great! Also I won't be tracking my MINI at all. Looks wise this wheel definitely has the edge for me. Only issue is I've never seen a PW/B (nor standard PW) MINI with gunmetal wheels. Seems to always be black or standard silver. While this appeals to me in its uniqueness, I obviously don't want to purchase a wheel that won't tie in well with the look of my car. Oh and another good thing about these is I can pick them up locally, opposed to ordering online and paying shipping. That also gives me much greater peace of mind as I can see them in person before making the purchase.


Next are the Privat Netz by Konig in gloss black:
(credit to ALTA for the photo)


17x7" and 17lbs. Biggest thing about these is I know they'll go well with my MINI. Also I was originally going for a mesh wheel with the Enkeis, great look. Finally I know a bit more about the brand and trust that these are quality wheels.

Thanks so much for any and all opinions! I'll be placing my order by the first weekend in February.

 

RB's have my vote....

 

The RBs get my vote. . . .But I'm a little biased

 

on a curvey car like ours, straight spokes just doesn't look right.

so RB would be my choice out of those two.

 

Got to go with the RBs too! They are supposed to be coming out with a Hyper Black in 17s anytime now. I'm considering those when they are released and would look killa on PW/B! 2 cents... PS: Poll away, no worries.....

 

RBs. Totally.

 

RB

 

Wow, so 6 for the RBs, looks like my first pick is right.

minimarks: Sounds sweet! Any idea when they should be out? I really want to make my purchase within the next 2 weeks so I can get these crappy RF's off. They're terrible in the snow.

I definitely think black would fit in better. Especially with my black stripes and soon to come partial black out. Cool thing about gunmetal, however is you see it a lot less on others cars, also I really like the fact that it's metallic.

Anyone have a couple months experience with either wheel? C2W, you just put them on, right? I especially want to hear if either bends easily. Roads around me aren't that great.

Thanks again and keep the opinions coming!

 

Gotta say....RB!!!!!!!!

Good luck!

 

Google Rota wheels. I don't have the address in front of me but you can e-mail them on when they will be coming out. Last time I ask they emailed me back very soon. You will also be able to get a look at the hyper black as their already out in smaller sizes.

 

Those Rotas do look nice

 

RB FTW.

 

I myself very much like the look of the Privat Netz. Really nice looking wheel and although Kechen said something about a "straight spoke" not looking right on a curvey car like ours, I disagree, I think they look really good ! That being said, I also like the RB's. A plus to the RB's is they are a classic look for our cars, are inexpensive in case you bend or curb one and come in a number of colors. Of the colors they offer,Royal Black would be my call for a Pepper White. I have an 05 Pepper White and own two sets of black wheels (see mod list). My Enkei's are in a matt black which I like the best with my car, the Rota's I have in a Royal Black look good as any black wheel will with a white car but, the "polished" is not "my" favorite. I would suggest that you try to get an "in person" look at the wheel you choose. Very very hard to judge without seeing them up close. Ether way, you can't go wrong.

 

damn rebellious teenager...

 

haha. RB's get my vote. That silver one looks good. Those privat wheels don't do anything for me...

 

Um - well - let's see....

RB.

 

another RB vote, lol

 

I hadn't had a chance to adequately "test" out the MACH V springs/Sports suspension/Rota RB combo until this weekend. So I did a short 160 mile loop (that I occasionally do on my Vstrom) Sunday am early!

Roads included some serious high(er) speed paved & poorly paved stretches, low(er) speed smooth and broken pavement stretches and some barely paved medium speed sections and even some (argggghhhh) Interstate.

No dents or dings in the RBs and as a positive side note I'm more than pleased with the MACH V springs/Sports suspension/Rota RB combo when exposed to our less than perfect back roads at a "touring" pace.

 

Another vote for the RBs. Classic look for the new MINI. Nice!

 

The minilite style is the best choice. . . .

 

Sweet, didn't expect to get this many posts, thanks so much.

So I'll definitely be purchasing the RBs.

Now just have to decide if I should wait for them to be released in royal black with fitment for the R56. Looking at their website, royal black is a very good look. Same for hyper black, and either would probably go better with PW/B. I sent them an email and will see what they say.

Thing is I can't wait too long as I need to make the purchase soon. Also even after seeing the other colors I'm still really digging gunmetal. The fact that it's metallic is just awesome to me.

Since this a wheels and tires forum, any comments on the Goodyear F1 A/S? I need an all season tire but want to compromise the least amount of dry/wet grip possible.

 

I would have to vote for the Gunmetal RBs. I almost went RBs but wanted my winter set to be in 16s and looked for a combo price.

If I get a second set of 17s, I think the RBs would be a great option.

Your PW will look great with gunmetal or chrome black RBs. So, buy and enjoy.

Let us know what you think.

 

^^Thanks for that! Just needed one person to say it. It'd be a lot less stressful if I could just see one Pepper White MINI with gunmetal wheels! The wheels themselves look so good though, I can't imagine that they'd bad on any MINI.

So any tire comments? I was initially considering the Falken Ziex Ze 912's as well. They're less than half the price of the Goodyears. However, I've heard quite mixed reviews about them...

 

Silver looks way better on a pepper white mini imo. Those rota sure look nice

 

I like both of them but I think I would go with the netz