I'm looking for a set of track wheels. I've got the R56 front brakes and was wondering if anyone is running 15" wheels with the R56/JCW front brakes?

I also wanted to see what recommendations for track wheels people are using? I really I'd like the 949 6UL, but I can't find them anywhere.

All feedback is appreciated.

 

Very few 15" wheels will be over R56 MCS front calipers (never mind larger JCW calipers). Also, there are hardly any performance tires made in the 175/65-15 size.

As far as specific wheel recommendations goes, you never told us your budget, size, offset, weight, or other priorities.
If you want to stay low-budget, get a set of take-off OEM wheels. S-Winder 102 wheels are light, fit perfectly, and can be had off someone who wants more bling for under $300 for the set.
If money is no object, get a set of forged modular Fikse's. They will even build you a set to your custom size, width, offset, and wheel bore specification. May cost more than your R56, though.

a

 

R56 JCW front brakes are too large to use 15" and 16" wheels.

When searching for wheels for a 2010 R56 JCW MCS you get only 17" wheels and larger-
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/resul..._16&sort=Brand

Of these, a 17x7" light 15" wheel will run about $200- on up.
Enkei RPF1 ($220 each, 14.6 lbs) and Kosei K1TS ($196 each, 15 lbs) are common choices. The O.Z. HLT rims are nicer looking and come in flashy colors but cost more for nearly the same weight. They are made with a slightly stronger light weight cast alloy construction.

On a budget, Motegi Racing MR125 wheels come in 17x7.5", $173 each, 16.4 lbs.

A track wheel should be strong/durable and as light weight as your budget allows. 17" is a good wheel size as track tires come in workable sizes to fit a MINI, 205/40-17, 205/45-17, 215/40-17, and 215/45-17 are possible.

Forged alloy wheels are stronger and can be a little lighter but cost more. About 14.5 lbs or less is common. Some forged wheels are somewhat heavy.

 

Many good wheels in various widths and budgets that fit the MINI, same bolt pattern as Miata-

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...es/Wheels.html

 

Be VERY careful following the above (or any other internet) advise: there are plenty of 4x100 wheels out there, but only some will share MINI high offset of 48-52mm, and even fewer have MINI hub bore of 56.1mm.

Miata's hub bore, specifically, is 54.1mm.
Miata's wheels will physically not fit onto MINI's wheel hubs !!!


Basically - it's your money, do your homework:
http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-r...e-Database.asp


a

 

afadeev- You are correct about Miata & MINI hub sizes, but..... Those wheels goodwin racing sells use a hub centric ring. All that is required is the correct ring size for the MINI hub. Not a big deal at all. No sadness for anyone buying rims there.

 

Correct, and yes an OEM Miata wheel will not fit on a MINI hub due to the mismatch of the hubbore with MINI being larger than the Miata's as was mentioned.

The link was for wheels that are 4x100 which fit the MINI and as mentioned the hubcentering ring makes an aftermarket wheel with 73 or 75mm hubbore opening work with many cars. Using the centering ring is recommended for a good fit and to take weight off the studs or bolts when mounting the wheel.

Unless you use an OEM MINI wheel there are only a few aftermarket wheels with hubbore of 56.1mm, it's easy enough to find a wheel and use the appropriate centering ring to make it fit the MINI.

As for offset, this varies from wheel to wheel can many will fit the MINI that are not OEM 48mm but it all depends on the wheel width and design and whether you want to use spacers to make the fit to your liking or to allow for added clearance.

An aftermarket 15x8" wheel is more likely to have an offset of 35mm which is fine when used with a thin 3mm spacer so that inner suspension parts have some clearance but it depends on the wheel spoke design and which year MINI you have. In fact you would not want a 15x8" wheel with offset of 48mm as it would be too far inward to clear the suspension. You'd have to add a wide spacer about 15mm to get it to work.

If you can find another MINI owner that has used the exact wheels you want to use with a similar suspension setup then that's a good place to start.

 

I'm running an R53 with the r56 front breaks. I'm looking for a track wheel, there is no budget.

 

NM Engineering wheels use the correct mini hub bore I believe.

Well ain't you fancy. Call Jongbloed and don't look back. Bout $750 per wheel and a 4 week lead time. But some of the best. You'll probably want a 15x8. 15x9 fits in the front of the R56 but idk about the r53. In the rear you're stuck with 15x8.

 

Yes, Outmotoring has 17" and 18" NM Engineering wheels with 56.1mm MINI hubbore openings. Good to know. So no Centering rings.

see
http://www.outmotoring.com/nm-engine...-17-wheel.html
That's not a bad wheel for price or weight and comes in various finishes.
Works with various 17" tire sizes.

NM RSe05
Size: 17x7.5
Offset: +45 mm
PCD: 4-100mm
Bore: 56.1mm
Lug Opening: 14mm Conical Seat
OEM TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) compatible.
Weight: 16 lbs. (7.27 kg)

CCW makes custom forged alloy wheels about $700 each-
http://www.ccwheel.com/