I'm looking for some opinions/ help selecting wheels for my spice orange R56 JCW. I've narrowed it down to these three. I plan on selling my run flats. I took them off the car with 200 miles on them and put snow tires on the stock wheels. The plan is to buy some lighter summer wheels and Michelin Pilot Super Sport's. Probably the stock 205/45 17 but I have considered going to 215's. The car is currently stock height but I do plan on lowering an inch or so in the future.

 

I like the 1st one on the left and recommend the 215/45.

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

Thanks, I think that is the one that I'm leaning toward also. I like them all though
I didn't mention in the first post they are 17"


That one on the left is
Enkei PF01

Offset 38mm
backspace 5.39

The middle is

OZ Ultraleggera

Offset 37mm
backspace 5.47

and the one on the right is

OZ Alleggerita HLT

Offset 37mm
backspace 5.47

 

I have the Ultraleggera, and it's a great robust, fairly light wheel.

The only real downside (depending on your outlook) is that it's pretty common, both on MINIs and lots of other cars. Especially in the black. I still like mine, but for that reason, I'd try something else like the Alleggrita now if I was looking for 17".

To be honest, I'm looking to go smaller now, but that's a separate topic.

 

The 17 inch is a good choice because of tire price. The PSS for instance are double the price for 18 inch tires.

 

I like he middle wheel.

 

I think I'd go with the first wheel, but the second is great also.

I have Michelin PSS in 215/45 and they are amazing. They will be toast with less than 10k on them, but the prorated warranty makes it not so bad.

 

I like the outer lip design on the Enkei.

 

It looks like the last one is Uni-lug. If it indeed is uni-lug, I'd stay away. Makes the wheel look cheap. Of the other 2 wheels, I'd pick the OZ. I like the spoke design better. Also, I'd go with 215's. Tires are less expensive

 

Not a big fan of the offset/poke on those wheels. JMO though.

 

I don't know about that. I have a set of Five:AD 19" wheels that I bought for my Countryman. They are drilled for both 5x120 (the Countryman pattern) and 5x110. They don't look cheap at all.

 

I suppose its a personal preference then

 

you're right we pretty much have the same thread going...
I really do like the Enkei PF01 as well...
I think i've ruled out Ultraleggera... cause I saw like 20 of them since my post.
I really do like the look of Oz Formula4 HLT though.
Its between Enkei PF01 vs Oz Fomrula4 HLT. I NEED HELP!
Is there anyone that can speak to this in regards to quality, technology, durability?
So far, I'm purely basing everything on looks.

Sorry I'm hijacking your tread CooperJCW! but its for both of us~

 

Check out some of the wheels from Rota...they are mostly between 17-20 lbs. a wheel and come in all sorts of ET's and designs. I know some people get their undies ina bunch of Rota's for w/e reason... because they think spending 4k on a set of wheels is the only way to go for everyone I guess.... but everything I've ever seen from Rota has been great quality and you can normally get them shipped over for between $700-800.

driftworks.com has a full up to date layout with the bolt patterns and layouts and they send hub rings for correct fitment based on your car.

 

I've had Rotas, but they are not in the same league as the OP's wheel choices. I went TSW on my GTI, but of your choices I would get Enkei.

 

I like Enkei... but OZ just seems so overpriced to me..... maybe I'm just a cheap-O... lol

 

Nothing wrong with Rota on a street car. But on a heavily tracked car wheels turn into a wear item that have to be replaced periodically. Those "$4k" wheels last much longer.

As for the Enkei PF01 vs Oz Fomrula4 HLT... just pick one. They're not significantly different one way or another. Certainly not a difference you'll see on the street.

 

The enkei pf01 oz formula4 hlt and oz ultraleggera are all in the same price range. Enkei is cheapest by like... less than 80 bucks.
Aside from looks, pf01 is 1 pc gravity casting with MAT technology. Formula4 is low pressure casting with HLT technology. So Oz wins that... low pressure casting is bettet than gravity casting. Im not really sure about MAT vs HLT.
Just looking at non-subjective categories; price and quality - Oz wins
But most people on this forum favors Enkei over Oz. Why is that? That's what I want to knowm

 

I like the Enkei PF01's better only because I like the look a little better. My choice of wheels was all about Weight first then looks. I eliminated anything over 18 LBS. I want to eliminate as much wheel weight as I can.

 

Your not hijacking at all. Your helping to keep the discussion going.....Thanks

 

So how important is weight? For everyday driving is it noticeable?

 

Yes, it improves everything about the car. They say unsprung weight is worth about 10x dead weight in the car. It can be dramatic if your current wheels are heavy.

 

It is of "relative" importance depending on how you drive, the more aggressive you are the more you will notice a slight difference.

For everyday driving it isn't that big a deal but the heaviest combo (wheels and tires) will be a bit sluggish vs the lightest.

Weight reduction to unsprung weight such as the brakes, tires and wheels makes a much bigger difference than similar weight loss to the body of the car, more in the range of about 4x. i.e. 10 lb wheel/tire loss = about 40 lbs loss.

But it's not that simple, there are many other factors that play into the equation for handling and performance such as the tread pattern, contructions and design of the tire.

For example a slightly heavier tire may offer more grip and better handling due to tread pattern and rubber compound than a lighter tire with a harder rubber and longer treadlife.

A few lbs doesn't really make a difference unless you are doing performance driving.

The Stock MINI has very heavy 17" wheels and very heavy runflat tires. Moving to nearly any non runflat tire will save some weight and any wheel at 18 lbs or lighter will work fine.

A heavy wheel and tire combo will be slower to accelerate, require more effort to stop, and will require a little more effort when turning. The more power you have the more easily you can overcome extra weight. Therefore for a base Cooper a light wheel/tire is a wise decision.

I have a Cooper S and for performance driving I have 17x7" wheels that weigh about 13.5 lbs each, while for street driving I have stock 15" holey wheels at 12 lbs each. The stock 15" wheels and UHP All season tires don't give as much grip in corners but offer lower rolling resistance, higher mpg, more comfort due to a taller 60 series sidewall and longer treadlife.

 

Im on the oem challenger wheels... I think its 25 lbs.
I'll probably wait til next summer til I get rid of the run flats... just because I dont want to be wasteful.. I cant wait though
But like all JCW drivers.... I have a very spirited style of driving everyday.
I wish they made the enkei in matt gray/graphite color... because I dont really want black rims for summer & winter. And bright silver looks terrible on midnight black... what are you going with Cooper JCW? What would you guys get?

 

I will probably get the Enkei PF01. 17x7 they weigh 15.5 LBS
I'm set on the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Either 205 45 or 215 45, I haven't decided yet.