MINIHUNE: I am planning to buy the Mini Cooper S Cabrio, Automatic,Paddles.
(I have a idea it will be a 5 speed with torque converter.)
So, I will lose some power on the 5/speed/torqueconverter and also the transmission weighs more.
To make up some of this additions, I pose this question to you.
I like the John cooper works 17' wheels.
Don't like the weight of thes wheels.
Do you have any suggestions for me in replacing these wheels with a another with the similar color and style as the JCW wheels but lighter.
And I am an also would like a non runflat tires that are wider and light also, and would be excellant for aggresive driving and some track use (minor use on track)
Thanks for all your support on this forum
USAMINICOOPER

 

JCW wheels are 18" not 17"

USAMINICOOPER,

Aloha from Hawaii and welcome to NAM.

You can send me PM for more discussion on this.

First the weight is going to be high and even though the new MCS will have a bit more power from the new ECU software, the cabrio option will add weight as well as the CVT. Adding more power stresses the CVT so that will have to be done in balance.

There are plenty of nice double five spoke design rims of 17 and 18" that compete with the JCW. Try looking at SSR GT series rims on tirerack.com and at the edgeracing.com flik rims in 17". Nearly any rim will be lighter than JCW (about 21 pounds per rim).

For tires there are plenty of options including Goodyear Eagle F1 D-3 and Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S-03 tires. These are not cheap or light but they offer good grip and handling for street and track use. You can't really go that much wider unless you go with a wider than 7 " rim and then you can risk rubbing. 215/45-17 is a common choice for street and track use. If 18" rims then 225/35-18 is possible. Talk to alex@tirerack to learn more about your options.

Other possible tires to consider would be Falken Azenis sport but the sizes might be more limited and tirerack doesn't sell them, try 1010tires.com or edgeracing.com. (Azenis sport are more aggressive for autocross/light track, and less comfortable for street use).
Or Toyo Proxes 4 tires (more for street and light track) or Yokohama AVS ES100 (good price, good street tire, not as good on the track but OK, available in many sizes at tirerack)

Good luck. :smile:

 

I've seen the JCW wheels in person and they look better in person

In pictures I was less impressed. Others that have driven a MINI with JCW wheels tell me that the ride is very close to the 17" stock S-lytes. Probably due to the runflat tires.

JCW is a 18x7" rim with double 5 spoke pattern with a roundness to the spoke and in silver finish. Tires are 205/40-18 runflats. It isn't as heavy as the R90 two piece or the S-lytes both of which are 17" rims.

Some examples of 5 spoke wheels (looks are subjective)

Fox 5 17x7.5" +40mm offset $135 each at tirerack.com

1 piece gravity cast

My favorite (not for the budget minded )
SSR GT1 18x7.5" +40mm offset 17 pounds per rim $329 each
Tire recommended 215/35-18, available in silver or white, and in 17x7"
http://www.tirerack.com/servlet/Call...filterSpecial=



At Edgeracing
http://edgeracing.com/wheels/flik/
There is the Lex in anthracite
17x7" et +42mm 17.5 pounds $122 each

Edgeracing carries Toyo and Falken tires.

And there are Rota Battle rims (check if they are avail at Rspeed.net)
or see http://www.jaydm.com/battle.htm
These are replicas of Advan Model5 rims
17x7.5" et +45mm 16.5 pounds/rim $545 per set of four includes shipping
18x7.5" et +45mm 19 pounds/rim $625 per set of four includes shipping

Finishes-Bronze (pictured),silver with polished lip, gun metallic, gold, white, black, steel grey.