Just got word there is a company that is in the process of getting these made for the US market.

They are making them two ways. The OE with black and machined look and also all silver wheel. I will try and post some pitctures of the GP wheel in all silver.

Specs are as follows:

Size:18x7
Offset: +42
Weight: 22lbs

 

 

I like the OE black and silver best myself

 

i dont like it in silver...then again, i dont really like it peroiod. haha

 

Wish it was lighter, any word on smaller 17" sizes and what they might wiegh?

 

18" only at 22 lbs.

 

Do you have contact information for the company? I *really* hope they make 17 inch versions as well. I love that wheel design and have searched exhaustively on getting them in the USA. The companies in Europe make and distribute 17 inch versions.

k

 

Any pics of the replica in black?

 

are these considered 'quality' wheels? because we've been told that's all we're allowed to buy

 

-In terms of Quality these are not as good as OE
But I would not foresee and issues with these wheels

-No 17" as these are coming for a different factory than the ones in Europe.

-The replica in black will be identical to the OE

 

I kinda like that all silver one. I was thinking that MINI might start offering something similar eventually as an accessory wheel - get more mileage (read: money) out of the tooling.

I know it's hard to tell for sure with a bare, unmounted wheel, but that silver one looks like a 17". The proportions of the spokes look like the 17" black/silver Worx wheels online. I could go for some silver ones in 17".

 

I await to hear who makes these...

 

Franz in Dusseldorf, I'm sure.

 

No, the infamous "Dieter in Germany". I wonder if MINI will have any issue with design infringement.

 

This is not a good looking wheel.

 

Hmmm... a huge part of the reason I want a set of GP wheels is the reduced weight. The OEM GP wheels are 19.8lbs... these are a full 2.2lbs heavier! I'll pass, thanks. Besides, if they aren't OEM, they aren't OEM.

But thanks for sharing - it's interesting to see what they look like in all silver.

 

These are more than likely made in China

 

A company is making the black GP knock-offs in Europe, (the UK, I think). They're called Worx. I've seen many pictures on the Mini2 boards. I think they're available in 18" and 17" sizes, but they're quite expensive, once you factor in the US dollar-to-British Pound Sterling conversion, and shipping across the Atlantic.

 

Retail Pricing should be in my estimate in the range of the present replica's of the R90 wheels IMO. (they are always on ebay)

 

Are they made of a proprietary material that's rigid yet flexible? Will they be available in military grade titanium?

 

The Worx wheels are sold on eBay UK. The folks on MINI2 say the look is somewhat spoiled by the black part being glossy instead of matte like on the real GP version.

 

I think the ones we will get here will be black with a clear coat. Which may give it a little bit of a gloss.

 

nothing some 0000 steel wool can't fix

 

Get it straight, man...it's *weapons grade" titanium, which is far superior to "military grade" titanium!!

 

Sorry about that... what was I thinking?

But seriously, are the black ones painted/powder coated uber black?