Hi All,

I really want to go with a set of 15" rims to run auto-x with. From reading up on various threads, I'm fairly sure 15" rims with fit over my R53 JCW brakes (will put weights on inside, etc).

I would like to go 7.5 or 8" width (so I can run 225 width), and was originally looking at the 949 racing 6UL.

A random search brought up the Konig Candy, in 15x7.5 with 30mm offset. Now I realize these are going to stick out past the fenders a bit, but I'm thinking these may work?

Really would like to run these with 225/45/15 Hankook RS3s.

Any thoughts on this?

see link for example:
http://www.amazon.com/Konig-Candy-Gl.../dp/B003M8HA2S

 

I would double check to see if wheels fit over JCW calipers before you buy, they "look" like they won't fit to me but who knows. My wheels are 1 piece and a small lip, fairly flat barrel design and have a spoke near the face type design and just made it by 3mm clearance.

 

By some miracle these actually fit. I ordered just one of them to see if it will work. It goes!

Same deal, I have about 3mm clearance, and will have wheel weights put on the inner lip.

Since Discount Tire Direct is out of RS3s, I'm thinking about 225/45/15 Nitto NT01. Any thoughts?

 

Yes forgot to mention to put wheel weights on inner barrel.
For street, RS-3 will last longer, but figure 205/50-15 NT01s on 15x7 are great, 225/45-15 on 15x7.5 can only be better. Pics please.

 

Ended up going with 205/50/15 Kumho Ecsta XS (180 treadwear).

Since R compounds are around 140 treadwear, these were close enough, and since they are not unidirectional, I can cross rotate. This is a very nice feature that will help them last longer.

Took me forever to get pictures up, but here is my JCW in Auto-X form!

 

Man...those are sweet

..looks like they are pretty flush with the fender well...would have thought 30 offset would have come out more...but looks perfect.

how much are you lowered? ..225s would have rubbed then?
J

 

I'm lowered AT LEAST 1.75" inches, but probably more, as I've played with the ride height on my Bilstein PSS9 coilovers.

You can actually run a 225/45/15, which will work nicely on a 7.5 to 8" wide rim. I don't think it would actually rub.

I may go for those for my next set of Auto-X tires, but the 205s were cheaper, and I like the Kumho Ecsta XS.

 

If you are lowered, I would only recommend a 30 offset with 15" wheels, as the overall diameter is slightly less than running 17" wheels.

My 17" rims for daily driving are 40 offset, and you can barely sneak a pinky in between the tire and fender..

 

..cool thanks.

..225/50 may rub then..that lowered? ..or would that be too much sidewall to even do autoX? or just look to bulging?

..just wonderin'...just like the look.
J

 

225/50 kinda looks like you are in a little Jeep... Haha it's a bit too much sidewall for me, and additionally, you get a lot of flex in the sidewall.

For Auto-X, even with 205/50s, I run about 40-41psi in the front tires to keep sidewalls from flexing too much.

205/50/15 or 225/45/15 are the way to go, and you'll find nice performance tires in those sizes.

Again, for the money, the Kumho Ecsta XS is a really nice Auto-X tire for cheap (and doesn't bump you up a class because it's not an R-compound). Also, the ability to rotate from side to side (and not just front to back) will help them last longer.

 

Wheels look good!
Can I ask why you choose not to go the 15x8 949 racing 6ULs route? I plan trying these with the 225/45-15 later on.

 

I'm on a super budget..

The Konigs were on sale earlier this year at Discount Tire Direct for under $90 a pop (with instant rebates, etc online). Free mounting and balancing (bought the Kumhos at same time). Free shipping for wheels and tires.

Thus, it was under $700 for everything already mounted and shipped to my front porch!

 

Those look really good, IMO... And they should work great for auto-x.

 

They look awesome!

So if they fit a 53 JCW they should fit a 56 S right??

 

..Awsome deal! ..that's a lot of bang for the buck.
J

 

Wow that was a good deal. Alot of bang for the buck. Notice better times that with stock 17s?

 

Yes.

The car feels more planted with a slightly wider wheel and less unsprung weight. The Konigs are by no means super lightweight, but about a little over 15 lbs each.. which is a lot lighter than stock 17s, and many other heavier wheels. Stock offset is around 45mm, so running the 30 offset is like having 15mm spacers all the way around for a wider track!

I think DiscountTireDirect still has these for fairly cheap, although I'm not sure what colors are left (they make them with Gold and Red spokes too).

Oh, and yes they should fit an R56S just fine! Just remember, you will have to put the wheel weights on the inside of the inner rim, closest to the strut... Otherwise you are coming too close to the actual brake caliper.

Overall, very happy with this combo as an Auto-X setup. For a daily driver, they make Nitto Neo Gens in a 205/45/15 for under $80 a pop!!! If I had another set of 15s for daily drivers, this would be the way to go.

 

The 949 racing 6UL I am looking at are 15x8 36ET, so then I can actually leave the 5mm spacers on (needed for GP wheels with 225 tires) with the 6ULs, making it a 31ET. With no fitment issues or modifications, hypothetically. Thanks

 

Oh man, if I had the money I would have gone with the 949 racing 15s. You will def have to post pictures!! I don't think you should have any fitment issues. I have a decent amount of space between the strut and inside tire, and I'm sitting significantly lower with my coilover setup.

I also see you are running HPS+ pads (I'm assuming for Auto-X and track fun?)

I just got a set of Ferodo DS2500s for Auto-X, and I'm thinking about regular HPS pads for street..

 

Mini_berger21,
You happen to have a picture with these wheels from directly in front? (Similar angle to the rear end view you posted.) I'm wondering how much poke you have with ET 30. Any problem with fender clearance?

Are your drop and alignment settings the same in the pics of the Konigs and OZs above?

I'm thinking about a similar set up with Konigs Retracks 15x7.5 ET 32 and 225/45/15 RS3s. I will have a modest drop on PSS9's.

 

O.C.abrio, I will see if I can try to find a picture. (Currently have the OZ 17s on the car now).

The drop and alignment settings are the same in both pics, and actually, I took the rear alignment in a little bit from the last pictures. Running about -1.5 in the rear and -2 in the front right now.

The 205/50, is pretty flush. They do not go past the fender, and I haven't any ANY problems with rubbing. With both sets of wheels/tires, you can barely get your pinky in between the tirewall and fender.

Still think you will be fine with 225/45/15s though.

 

Did you ever get the 949 racing wheels mounted up?

 

When I go to Dicount at the end of the month I will have to see if they have these. I would love 15in wheels. But I would have to see what it would look like on my MINI.

Also do I understand correctly that these will fit a R56 S?
And another question do you have any low pressure warning issues? Mine is a 07 so it is running the same sensor as the R53.

 

Le awesome. Le très badass

 

Should work fine on the R56 S (non JCW). The R53 JCW brakes are the same as the R56 S Brakes and did a ton of measuring to make sure they worked perfectly.

No, I don't get any low tire pressure warnings at all.