Hey guys I'm a noob looking for some new wheels and tires for my mini. I'll attach a picture so everyone can see. I really have no idea what color and size rims would look the best though I'm assuming black would.

Any idea's would be great! Besides 20" gold spinners... If you could hook me up with a link to the wheels or tires it would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time
-Cody

 

Your OE wheels are R83's (16"X6.5") and weigh about 20.1#. The standard OE wheels for the MINI non-S were 15"X5.5", but 16" wheels were an extra-cost option. Wheel size and color are a matter of personal preference, but I would stick with 15' or 16" on a non-S to save some unsprung rotating mass. The lightest 16" OE wheels are only 2 or 3 pounds lighter than what you already have.

If you're interested in lighter aftermarket wheels, you can start at www.tirerack.com. They sell tires as well, so you can order a wheel/tire package already mounted. At the website, enter you car's data (Mini, year, etc.) and then choose to look at wheels. All of the wheels that come up should fit your car. Then you can narrow your search by choosing a particular wheel diameter, color, weight range, etc. Most of the 16" aftermarket wheels at the site will be 7" wide. There are also some popular wheels for the MINI that Tire Rack doesn't carry; Rota is one.

In my opinion, either silver or black wheels would look "right" on your silver and black car. At the Tire Rack website you can click to have a look at what any wheel you're considering would look like on the car.

Welcome to NAM.

 

Hi Jim thanks for the quick reply greatly appreciated. What do you think about 17 and 18's? The only reason I'm asking is because people on craigslist near me are selling after market wheels and despite being used, they are in good shape and alot less expensive than a new set. I'm looking at 2 different sets here they are-

http://nwct.craigslist.org/pts/2998069409.html

http://hartford.craigslist.org/pts/2976953197.html

Give me your honest opinion on these.

 

If you want to stick with OEM here are the wheels:

http://libraryofmotoring.info/facts/wheels/

 

Amazon offers the Riax Seca in the same specs ($115.88 each new), and says it fits an '02 MC. An important spec not shown would be the wheel weight. If it's significantly heavier than your OE wheels, you'd lose some acceleration and braking performance, but with the wider tires (you'd probably want 215s), you'd probably gain lateral grip. I'm not a used wheel expert, but you'd want to be sure all the wheels are straight and true (not bent in the slightest). Extreme caution is advised for buying used wheels or tires, for they're not always as advertised.

The second link shows the wheels, but provides very little information about them, so you'd have to call the seller. The ad says they are MINI wheels, but they're probably after-market.

My opinion on wheels for the MC is that the non-S just doesn't produce enough torque to get heavy wheels and tires rolling and slowing quickly enough. My wife has a '06 MC with the same 16" wheels that you have, and I've never even considered bigger wheels for her car. If you prefer the look of 17's, and go with light-weight after-market wheels, you could avoid the loss of acceleration and braking performance, assuming you didn't mount heavy tires, of course.

Having said that about 17" wheels, it's probably unnecessary for me to say what I think about 18" wheels for the MC non-S (sometimes called a "Justa" on NAM).

Another consideration. With each additional inch of wheel diameter, you'd need to go down in tire aspect ratio in order to keep overall tire diameter somewhere near OE (around 24" or so). The shorter sidewall helps with cornering, but produces a firmer ride.

Admittedly, I'm somewhat conservative on wheels and tires; there are others on NAM that mount the biggest and widest wheels and tires they can get to fit, even if they rub a bit.

 

Nice looking car. I wouldn't change the wheels unless you are going lighter. If you want a heavy tank of a wheel, but something that has a pedigree, and cheap, here is a good bet, and it's in CT: http://www.ebay.com/itm/140748161066...84.m1438.l2649

I'd probably consider them myself, except they weigh the same as the Daytona.

 

Yeh I dont think I'm going to stick with oem wheels.

@Jim- Hey thanks for the info greatly appreciated definitely not going to get those 18's they really are way to big and heavy. I think I'm definitly going to stick with 16's or 17's if I can get them lite enough.

@Blackbomber- Are those really BBS? They look sweet but I would want more of a low profile tire because they would be my summer set. Still a great deal though. Thanks-

 

If your interestred in aftermarket wheels used make sure you verify a few things.

1) offset

2) center hub size - Mini is 56.1 MM i think (please verify) you might need hubcentric rings. I just bought a set on Ebay for about $3.

3) you might want to think about your plans for suspension as well. Tis might help you decide on size of wheel and offset as well. And when i say suspension i mean your entire suspension from springs, shocks, ball joints, adjustable camber plates etc....because they will all matter when you lower your car.

Just a few things to keep in mind before you buy your wheels. I dont think weight of the wheel is that big of a deal unless your tracking your car.

I personally just picked up a used set of 16" black BBS replicas with (2) 205/50 tires with about 80% tread left for $125 on Craigslist. I ended up getting (2) other used tires mounted and balanced for additional $20. I had to get some hub rings for a few bucks. Rims just need resprayed and thats it. So, i only spent about $150 bucks for a second set of wheels and tires that i can clean up and use this summer. I have some 15" honda steelies with winter tires.

I plan on working on my suspension this summer (currently stock). Replace evreything and adjustable camber front and rear. Maybe a 1.5-2" drop.

I am thinking of a XXR 15x8 et15 with a stretched tire (195/50/15) next summer. From what i have seen on NAM that looks to be a solid setup and the look i want on a lowered car.

XXR wheels are a good price and i have not seen any issues with them. You can get new XXR wheels for about $400 and spend $250 on tires depending on where you go. Ebay is a good place and there are people on Craigslsit selling used XXR wheels. Watch out because XXR runs 15x8 et 0 on alot of there wheels which will stick out past your fenders. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...0+XXR&_sacat=0


VWvortex.com a VW site has a 4x100 for sale forum that people have nice used wheels for sale with tires. http://forums.vwvortex.com/forumdisp...00-Classifieds


Since i am married with a daughter and on a budget i will finish suspension first this year then nice wheels next year

Good luck! Hope this helps!

 

I have an 02 MCS, and I'm riding on Silver 17" Enkei EDR9's. When I bought the MINI, it had 18" Enkei RP07's. The 18" looked awesome, but they were bent and had to be replaced. The 18" handled extremely well, but transferred every single bump in the road. They rode very rough! I went down to the 17", and that extra inch made a huge difference. I would recommend going with 17" or smaller, especially on a Justa. The ride will be much smoother, and some wheels like my EDR9's are made to "look" bigger than they are.
As for color, that's your personal preference. I thought about black, but it seems like everybody goes with black on aftermarket wheels. I've still got some chrome on my MINI, and I thought it would look great silver. Good luck, and post some pics after you get your new wheels!

Current - EDR9 17"

RP07 18"