Well,

(the ? is below in bold)

Background: I've been 17"x7" wheel shopping quite heavily recently, and my situation is compounded by the fact that I'm in Germany and that current BBS wheel offerings for the MINI S are not light enough for my desire. I've been debating the BBS RC (18.1 lbs/$259) vs. the BBS RK (17.5 lbs/$229), all the while recognizing that the O.Z. Superleggera is just about the best wheel deal out there considering light weight (16.3 lbs/$229), quality and strength, and appearance. To buy one of the two BBS wheels, I have to order from the States which equals shipping once to the family in NC, then to me in Germany. Shipping could easily come to over $200 all total. I went to see my local BBS/O.Z. dealer today and saw the Superleggera up close and personal, next to a BBS RC (and other BBS wheels). End result, I like the O.Z. best. Better yet, my price here in Germany on the Superleggera is $211 each due to not having to pay tax, and there's no shipping involved. Therefore, my savings is around $272 versus buying from the US (you know where from). While the BBS RK has grown on me in recent weeks, it's not my favorite BBS wheel, but quite a good match to the MINI S, and the best bang for the buck BBS wheel. The downside to the Superleggera is the offset (+37mm). Here's the question:

Any issues with a +37mm offset (O.Z. Superleggera 17"x7" wheel) on a stock suspension 2005 MINI S? That offset is about +11mm from my stock R99s. Will definitely provide a wider stance, but I have to wonder why O.Z. doesn't list their 17"x7" as MINI S compatible. I know many on this board have them, just want to know if they've discovered any ill affects. Also, I don't plan to lower the MINI, but will add Koni FSDs sometime in 2006.

Thanks for your input. Feel free to chime in regardless if you have Supperleggera experience.

 

I had +36 offset with 215/40/17 tires and had no problem.
even with H-sport springs, there was no rubbing with 4 people in the car.
YMMV

 

They both look great on the MCS. I have RKs and really like them. Only downside is that clearance isn't too good if you get a big brake kit someday. Check out tirerack.com. I know they list the OZ Super's there as Mini compatible. You can check with Alex at tire rack too just to make sure.

 

17"x7" BBS RGR = 16.1 lbs 38mm offset

Zero clearance problems, no kick-back thru the steering either as a result of the 38mm offset. I wouldn't venture much farther than 38mm. If you plan to install a camber kit, adding more negative camber will bring the offset closer to the 'meat' of the stock offset range...I don't think you can recover all the difference with camber.

The etra load on bearings and other suspension components will remain.

 

Well as not too many of the responses you have gotten up to this point are actually from OZ owners I though I would chime in. Interesting to see the comments from BBS owners though!

First off, my car setup:
Yoko Parada Spec 2 205/45/17 (yeah I know, but the dealer threw them in for nothing!)
H-sport springs
H-sport camber plates
H-sport lower controls in the rear.

Current alignment settings are:
toe out 1/64th" front
0 rear,
-2.0 camber front
-1.5 camber rear

Prior to getting the camber plates I would have minor rubbing when I would bottom the car going through the river washes here in Tucson. Basically quick body drops into these with brisk uphill on the other side. Now with the alignment I have, I haven't gotten any rubbing, granted this is an aggressive setup and will wear your tires pretty fast.

I think if you run 215/40's or 205/40's you wouldn't have any problems even on a lowered car without camber plates. Given you are running stock springs you shouldn't have issues unless you have the car really loaded down.

From a performance standpoint its hard to comment on wheels. Yes, they are way lighter than the stock S-lites, but I don't know if you really notice it much. As far as looks go the OZ's get comments from the VW buds I have and even the Bimmer owners I race with who have OEM BBS wheels. They look trick, and are easy to clean.The offset does make the car look even more bulldogish and tough, but it will mean more spray of salt/ice/water onto the body if you live in that type of environment. Down here I am spoiled as far as rain and weather goes. Our last measurable ran was October 17th!!

In summary I love my wheels, and wouldn't spend the big bucks on the BBS unless you really want the cache' attached to the name. They are great wheels, but not worth the premium over the OZ's.

Plus your supporting WRC when you by OZ!!!


Joel

 

15" OZ Superleggera owner here The quality of the wheel is equal to BBS. Fit and finish is clean no blems, no casting marks no, blems in the paint..I have seen many wheels up close and yes, OZ is a value IMO in the market place..I have the 15" wheels now and will proably get 17" Superleggera next... The 15" is a +37 offset and handles great !! Go for the OZ you will be a very happy driver !

 

cant go wrong w/OZ wheels ........for the money!
=0)
+37?? not a real aggressive offset!

 

Just when I think I have all this figured out, I see on the Tire Rack website that O.Z. has a new wheel, the Ultraleggera (possibly a replacement for the Superleggera???). See below. It's a tad heavier at slightly over 1 lbs more (stronger perhaps?), but looks equally great, and is available in a matt graphite silver, which I prefer. Still, no offset in 17" that perfectly fits MINIs. I wish these wheel manufacturers would include MINI in their marketing strategy. MINI owners definitely buy lots of wheels.



What else is waiting for us in 2006? Makes me think I should just wait a bit. I won't be taking off my winter wheels anytime soon anyway...

 

but i'd wait till '06

 

for OZs

 

I have two sets of OZ Superleggras:

Street: Anthracite 17" on 205/45/17 Hankooks Ventus Sport K104. (Nothing great but it's good in the rain and cheap)

Track: Silver 15" on 225/50/15 Toyo RA1 (amazing!)

My car is on H-Sport Springs.

I intially tried a 215/45/17 Yokohama ES100 as i had these on my old '02. With the H-Sports the rubbing was unbearable. I tried cutting out the fender liners to no avail. With people in the back forget about it, the offset is too agressive. I did some research and found that the 215/40, 205/40, & 205/45 would fit. I remember reading that the 205/40s load rating per tire was not high enough. I didn't want to run a 40 series tire as i live in Montreal where the streets are awful. The extra side wall protection is well advised.

Putting on the 205/45/17 immediately fixed the problem. I can load the car up full and have no issues with rubbing. Tires look skinnier but at least they fit. If I were to do it again I think i'd go for a 16" OZ and wider tire. The 17"s look great but the way the design of the wheel I am starting to feel that ie looks a little too big on the MINI. I drove around on my R compounds at the end of the summer and started love the way the 15"s were looking with the Meaty Tires. Looks much more agressive IMO.

The 225/50/15 I have for the track had no problems on my stock suspension '02 MCS. On the current car there is an occasional rub (i'm talking really rare). I was concerned the first time it happened but after lapping on them all summer I don't see it as a major thing. I can't replicate it to rub consistantly on the track that I lap at so I'm not sure where it is doing it. Sounds like fender liner though.

below are a couple of pics of both wheels, sorry that's all I have right now.

cheers

Amit

17" on the old Yoks (were rubbing)









15" on track:

 

Thanks for all the inputs. Decisions, decisions! Got plenty of time to think about it though. Think I'll sell my R99s first, which will force my decision by Spring!

 

I have a set of silver 18s (street, wrapped in Toyo Proxes 4 215/40/18)...



and a set of anthracite 17s (track, currently wrapped in crappy Kumho MX rubber but getting R comps next season)



Cornering at the track...



I have the JCW suspension with H-Sport bars set on stiff. The only time I've ever gotten rubbing is with a few people in the car and a quick dip in the pavement, or when loaded with one passenger and all my track gear in the boot. Only happens when the suspension compresses quickly.

 

Like a few have said you will have no problems. I have 17x7 superlegerras with 215/40/17 kuhmo SPT, on H-sport springs and i only rub on the outside of the rear wheels when i have people in the car. It is a great setup, go for them.

According to O.Z THe ultralegerras are replacments for the superegerras, and are supposed to weigh half a pound less on each size.