Finally did it: Got a set of 17" Enkei RPF-1 SBC wheels & Bridgestone RE050A non-RF's to replace the OE R99/Dunlop RF's.
What a surprising transformation w/ 14lb. 17" wheels w/ very grippy non-Rf tires (205/45). Good tires in concert w/ the reduction in unsprung rotational mass, a wopping 10lbs per corner!, has solved virtually all of my complaints about the R56's platform and the touchy servo-electric steering.
Initial reactions:
a. Greatly reduced torque steer!!!! Yes, even at WOT through tight turns.
B. Improved steering response. Nimble, quick turn-in, lighter steering feel (in a good sense) and better directional stability at high speeds.
C. Less resistive gyroscopic inertia (contributing to some of the stiff, dull feeling.)
D. Better braking and acceleration (nice gains here.)
E. Less obtrusive road noise & vibration.
I was expecting to see good gain's with the new goodies but frankly was amazed at the synergy & mitigation of almost all of the nagging R56 platform issues. It's as if the eager little R56 got a pair of proper ballet shoes instead of the honker orthopedic training boots it came fitted with.
Good news also: The R53 Cooper spare I kept from the last Mini bolts right up to the R56 using the 14mm lugs so anyone needing the security of a spare need not worry (at least beyond the cost.) The spare & canvas tote tucks in right behind the L. front seat just like the good old days.
Bottom line: the R56 platform IS a real killer once it's liberated from the fat-assed OE wheels & evil RF's. It's nothing short of spectacular.

 

Pictures, durn it!

 

+1

 

Way to go Mark! I haven't had a chance to see if the 14mm lugs will go throuh my Panasports. I'll be home Friday and may try it out. I've got the goodyear runflats on Queso and they seem a durn shot better than the Durnlaps that were on the 04. You going to dyno day at the end of April?

 

How strong are these wheels? Are they designed mainly for competition where one does not expect potholes? Or, are they though enough to handle poorly maintained roads? I like the idea light weight wheels, but don't like the idea of the spokes breaking at speed. The spokes on this wheel look rather skinny.

 

wanna sell your R99s?

 

-Yes I do want to sell the R99's & the new RF's. PM anytime!
-Strong? I never bent an 11lb. forged 17" SSR Comp in over 50K miles of driving my two former R53's. I was careful but beyond that nothing out of the ordinary. It may be a matter of Irish luck or good technology.
Thankfully the Enkei's RFP 1's are not silly expensive (17's, $250-330 depending on finish.)
-John, Taco-dyno YES!!! I'm signed up.

 

Just ordered The Enkei SC03 in SBC finish with Toyo T1R tires. Just wondered what your thoughts on the SBC finish are? How close to chrome does it look? I know this setup isn't as light as yours but it should make for a great look and perform better than stock.

 

Shoot. I will have to settle for 16's instead of 17's then...

 

Heavy cast rims can be bent and damaged with street driving on poor roads.

Forged low weight rims can be bent and damaged with street driving as well- all it takes is to take a good sized pothole and be going too fast and hit it straight on.

Tracking a car creates more heat and even more stress on rims and tires.

Basically no matter which tire and rim you choose you have to be very careful when driving. If you hit anything significant at speed you risk quite a bit of damage. It's all preventable.

If your local area has potholes the size of manholes then it's best to memorize their locations and avoid them at all costs. You can get the nice rims but be cautious and don't let others drive your MINI (especially on unfamilar roads at night in the rain).

 

True enough that any wheel can be bent. In my 30+ years w/ BMW's and lot's of forged, cast & various OE wheels I have only bent one rim. This was my fault because I was not paying attention. My experience may not be the norm.
SBC finish on Enkei wheels: a Dupont process and uber paint finish by all accounts. As a paint science geek (professional) I am impressed with the hardy nature of the finish. It looks very much like plating but it's not.
-The shadows look dead-black at times, more so in certain light when the wheels are almost two-tone. The charcoal gray hue is slightly warm (as opposed to a blueish, cool tone) and it reflects the colors of the environmnet. It's a matter of taste but in the end the trick nature of the SBC finish will likely win over most of the anti-chrome critics. In the flesh it does not look like a chrome wheel but it is very reflective from certain angles. Since it's not silver it still "tucks" in the wheel well the way darker wheels tend to do.
I have grown to love the SBC finish.

 

Did anybody remember to ask for pictures?

:D

 

Still no pictures

 

Hopefully this thread bump will encourage the original poster to post some pictures...