I bought an MCS with some s-lites that are curbed pretty nicely. Got a good price on the car so it was worth it.

Does anybody know about these s-lite look a like wheels? Would the mini emblem fit in from my old rims?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/17-17...48965656QQrdZ1

Not sure if its worth it...

 

I am not sure where the MINI wheels are made, but they look exactly like those in the pic.
The specs are the same as well... I noticed they did not post weight, though.

If these are 25lbs each, I would say they are MINI wheels.

I also noticed they are asking $1329 for wheels and tires... I have a set of new s-lites plus all-season run-flats (new) for $1000. :-)

I would be curious to know where the MINI wheels are minted, though.
-alfredo
'2006 JCW... picking it up this week.

 

Last time I looked at the back of my S-Lites I think they said they were made in the Czech Republic.

 

I noticed that they also sell 17" R90 look a like wheels. I have always been fond of those, possibly even over the s lites...

How noticable in accelleration would a 16" R90 which is considerably lighter weight be?

 

Keep an eye on the FS threads, S-heavies generally go for $200-$800 on NAM in good quality if you can wait and seek out good deals.

Anything is lighter than an S-heavy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=83374
$400

 

Those knockoffs have been available for half a year, but I haven't seen anyone ask the seller how much they weigh.

If these Italian-made clones are considerably lighter than the Hungarian or Czechoslovakian Ronal OEM wheels then they could be worth more than OEM.

 

Just sent a question on the weight.

 

Cool, now we'll know about their R85 replicas. They also make a R91 (convertible) 5-spoke replica wheel.

Over on MINI2 there was a group buy on the R90 replicas from the same company. Apparently the 18x7.5" replica versions were even lighter than the genuine factory 2-piece 17" R90 wheels but heavier than the one-piece 16" versions.

 

I asked the seller for the weight of the wheels and he said 23lb. If that is true then that is 2lb lighter than stock.

 

not necessarily, even the OEM S-lites have a tendency to dent easily (so much so that the dealers try and sell you "wheel insurance"!), seems like reducing the density of the casting (which must be how the weight is reduced, if they indeed replicas) would only make that problem worse. Sure they are lighter, but less durable and not necessarily meeting the German TUV wheel standards for strength.

 

That's exactly why I said "could." Plus for only $120 each brand new they may be worth a try and worth self-insuring. Seems that most people having problems with them on MINI2 are only complaining about the finish chipping off.

Much of the weight of an S-Lite is due to the too-solid spokes, so the replica is not necessarily any less dense; they may actually have removed weight from non-critical areas.

Wouldn't it be something if they produced 18" and 16" replica S-Lites too?

 

I sold my SLites and RFs with 2000 miles for $300. There's a lot available at that price, so keep looking.