http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/to...i-Cooper-S.htm

Anyone know where to get a set of 19" Hamann "Anniversary' wheels as shown in link? I think they are circa 2002 - 2004. The company appears to no longer make wheels for MINI, including the wheel design I love. There is one other concern: Will the wheels fit my GP with large JCW brakes?

Thank you all,
halid

 

Can't easily get them anymore, plus they are pricey.

Search ebay and craigslist, keep trying.

Some car forums have them for sale from time to time.

There are some MINI owners that got them way back, you can ask around to find out if someone wants to sell theirs.

Search in Europe is also possible.

I don't see many knockoffs of that design.

Check the O.Z. line of wheels.

Probably better to look for what you can get these days or you can even commission a one off wheel similar to the one you want. Won't be cheap.

 

Thanks for your reply. I'll probably continue looking as well as shop for alternatives. The Hamann IMO has a very clean look that surpasses the Alpina designs. Here's another question: Will coilovers dramatically improve handling on a GP, or is the stock setup just about as good? Thx again

 

Depends on which coilover you choose. Have you owned a sportscar with coilovers in the past?

I would say the GP suspension more tuned for performance and track use than for street use.

When you mention better handling do you mean on the street or at the track?

You have to decide if you want a better suspension for street use, not too stiff but responsive or better for high performance driving and track use.

Fully adjustable coilovers will give you many possible adjustments, ride height, adjustments for dampening and rebound. But they can cost more.

Using the right tires will make a big difference with your GP suspension. Each tire is different by size (sidewall profile and stiffness) and by design and construction- See Michelin Pilot Super Sport which gives a balance of good street manners yet very good traction and handling in dry or wet. It is not a tire for cold weather or any snow and it is soft and may wear out a little quicker.

 

I appreciate your comprehensive reply. I was just wondering if coilovers will provide a noticeable improvement over the GP's stock tuned suspension. I do not intend to track the car, but I do enjoy exceptional street handling. So, I have to question whether coilovers are worth the expense. As for tires, most NAM folks recommend getting rid of the RF tires ASAP. I would like to get more mileage out of mine (since they only have 5K miles on them) before switching. The Michelin Pilot is an excellent tire, but as you said, they wear relatively fast (due to the softer compound) and they're pricey. The nice thing about these forums is that we can get first-hand advice versus a sales pitch. This helps guys like me to make wiser decisions before pouring big bucks into unnecessary mods.

 

It will depend on your budget for coilovers, the best ones are expensive and there is nothing really wrong with your GP suspension per se. I would try looking at the best street tires you can afford. You will always be trading something off, cost vs wear, handling vs comfort, etc.

Max Summer tires will offer good levels of grip and last longer than Extreme Summer tires. Max tires are a good compromise of handling and traction over treadwear and depending on which tire you choose, can be comfortable enough for daily driving.

Ultra High Performance Summer tires in general give up handling response and grip for longer treadlife and a little more comfort. Cost of the tire can overlap with a Max Summer tire. Choose wisely. For a GP I would stick with Max or Extreme Summer tires since the car is all about performance (by design).

 

Sounds like good advice, Minihune and it makes dollars and "sense." Why spend a fortune on coilovers when tires alone can provide significant improvement. Perhaps down the road I will decide to install coilovers. I don't think they're essential immediately i.e., until a find an incredible deal on a set! Thanks again.