You're welcome - the complete switchover to 14mm bolts actually happened around July 12th, 2006, so none of the 2005 models should have the larger bolts. Also, the GP cars have 14mm bolts, regardless of when they were made.

 

Last week I drove a 2007 R56 MCS with LSD using stock 16" rims and Avon Tech Ra tires in autocross and there was definitely alot of wheel spinning while on the course let alone at launch (not too bad).

You will learn how much throttle to apply as you get used to autocrossing. The factory LSD will help as do the right sticky R compound tires (Hoosier A6 and Kumho V710s likely softer rubber than Toyo Ra1s or Avon Tech Ras). Watch the tire pressures to make the most use of your tires. Sufficient camber settings front and rear help use more tire surface as well, stock camber settings esp in the front are not the best.

Flipping tires allows you to dismount a used tire and flip it around so the less worn edges are now facing out and this helps a little for better wear. However don't wait too long to flip them as the rubber on the tire gets old with time and use (heat cycles) and hardens, you make get less benefit with hard rubber even if flipped.

For the slipstreams, when you go looking just check that the wheel specs are as you describe as they can come in different offsets and hub bore depending on the vendor. The specs you mention are not always available in different finishes.

Sometimes the tires are difficult to mount on the 16x6.5" rims, get a good shop to do the installs, not your average place.

Some owners use 215/45-16 street tires as an alternative to R compounds on those rims. Designed for rims 7-8" wide. 23.6" outer tire diameter, 200 tread
Hankook Ventus Rs2 Z212 about $84 each
Falken Azenis Rt615 about $98 each

At tirerack.com in that size-
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 for $119 each 300 treadwear (best bet for street use)
Bridgestone Potenza RE010 $169
Bridgestone Potenza RE040 $173 140 treadwear

For an impact wrench you can find many good cordless models. I picked up a DeWalt 1/2" model with 14.4V battery. The battery sizes vary from small to very large and heavy. Something in the 10-16 V range is fine for limited duty. I charge batteries every 3-4 months. Impact wrenches come in different sizes from 1/4" to 3/8" to 1/2". I like the 1/2" driver because it fits the wrench sockets I use with NO adapter so there is less to handle and the 1/2" drivers tend to provide more power and torque but not overly so with batteries in the range I mentioned. You can find drivers that torque roughly in the range you want about 80 to 120 ft-lbs. Something that torques to 60-75 would be still workable but less strong, you would hand torque the nuts in any case.

When not in use remove the tension on the torque wrench and set to zero.
I also use a breaker bar (mine has an extension telescope for more leverage) that fits the sockets, got it from tirerack, pretty cheap and durable.

If you have studs watch out for open nuts, I had them and there was some corrosion due to the open design and the threads locked onto the nuts in about 6 of the studs and could not come off, I had to replace them even if the studs were coated for corrosion. Took about 6 months to have trouble. Then I switched to closed acorn nuts and never had any further problem with the same studs and weather conditions.

 

Ok so I've done some further research, and I think I'm going to get the Falken's. I finally read my GRM issue with the tire comparo, and the Falken Azenis Rt615 s seem to still be king. I'm going cheap now because I frankly don't have the skill or experience to be competetive. I'm also mostly doing this for fun at first. I'm sure at some point I'll go crazy.

Anyway here is the burning question:

16" wheels? or 17" wheels? Any advice? Pluses/Minuses? I've been reading GRM's project mini blog and I saw Per just recently picked up some 17" Enkeis and 225/40/17 hoosiers. That sounds like a decent setup, but I didn't really want to spend the money for the slicks honestly. The cheap price of the Falkens really appeal to me right now.

 

16" should be cheaper and lighter.

The weight difference is probably very negligable, as is the performance difference. I'd go with cheap.

 

Go with the Slipstreams 16x6.5 et45 from 18racing. Their distribution center is in Hayward. If you are local and pick them up they will take care of the tax. I'm running the RT615's 215/16 on the street and the stick is really good. The tires don't squeal when you are taking the clover leafs .

 

What wheels and tires do you have now?

Are you planning to use the same set for both street use and for autocross?

What class in autocross are you competing in.

The 17" wheels in GRM's project R56 MINI are stock sized so it will be legal for G-stock class and be lighter than stock rims. 16" stock rims are usually lighter than stock 17" rims.

Falken Azenis RT615 in 215/45-16 are probably the best size for the MINI so either stock sized slipstream or stock 16" rim for stock classes autocross or 16x7 to 16x8 light rim with the same RT615 tires can be used for non stock classes.

 

-Right now I have the stock 17" horse shoe wheels/runflats. I plan on keeping those for daily use, and I plan the new set for autox.
-I plan on running in GS. Like I said before I don't think I will 'competing' right off the bat. I need to learn to drive first.

So I have to make sure to use 16x6.5, and not 16x7?

 

Yeah.. I had originally had my eye on slipstreams. I think I'll just stick to that goal. I noticed I squealed quite a bit on my page mill/35/9 drive last night. :-D

 

Yes

For Stock classes-
16x6.5 Not 16x7

4x100 bolt pattern

+48mm offset or for the Rota Slipstream try for +45mm offset.
56.1mm hubbore so no centering ring is needed.

You can use any tire mentioned- Falken Azenis ST615 or Kumho V710s.

 

So to sum up.. I should get the 45mm offset for the rota slipstream, and also specify a 56.1mm hub bore? I had no idea you could also specify the hub bore.

EDIT: I looked at the 18racing site as suggested, and it states that the 16x6.5 comes with a 56.1mm hub bore and 45mm offset.

Also since I'm getting the rotas from 18racing where is a super cheap place to pick up the Falken Azenis R615 tires?

 

Most local tire companies will match internet pricing. Find your best deal print it out and go talk to your local tire guy.
215/45R16 86W
$95
Vulcan Tire

 

Yes. At 18racing.com you can email Jessica and ask for the MINI stock version of the Slipstreams. Limited selection of finishes compared to other sizes of Slipstreams.

Slipstreams come in various sizes, offsets and hubbores. Just ask for the stock MINI size 16x6.5. Comes in Flat black, Gun metal with polished lip, and steeel gray with polished lip.

 

I just put in my order for 215/45 16 RT-615s and the Rota Slipstream 16x6.5 wheels.

I hope to make it out to some of the slush round events at SFR.

I just now need a jack... Any pointers on jacks?

 

harbor freight

 

Costco $99 2 ton aluminum jack

 

Finally got them on the car. I'll be driving around with them for about a week to break them in. What a difference in ride quality and handling. I'm convinced runflats are TERRIBLE!!! I'll definitely replace with REAL tires once my runflats are worn out. Now that I have the gear the next step is to get out to an event!! Thanks for all the good info/advice.

 

This should be a sticky for sure

 

I still haven't autox'd yet, but I wanted to give an update on the tires. First of all.. I love the Falkens. (have about 200 mi on them now) Great grippy tires. Much smoother than the stock runflats, MUCH more grip. I definitely can feel the difference already. Definitely a different car. I like having normal tires so much on the mini I am going to switch to non-runflats when it comes time to replace the stock RFs. I think I'm going to go with the dynaplug or slime route. Haven't made the final decision yet. Maybe I'll stick both in the car just in case.

Anyway the 215/45 tires are smaller by 0.4 in. in radius compared to stock so the speedo reads slightly higher just FYI if anyone is considering this setup for street. It doesn't matter to me since they'll be a dedicated autox set.

I'll post again once I get some autox seat time on these awesome tires.