I just got my mini this past monday, and one thing I new well before I got into it was I didnt like the run flats on the tires or the heavy wheels. So I got the all season tires on my mini and was hoping theyll be fine for the snow I see in cincinnati. I was looking to stick with 16 in for weight and lower chance of pothole damage and I have it narrowed down to two ones I like at both ends of the price spectrum.

The 16X7 konig britelites are the cheapest and not bad at 15.3 lbs. The offset is +40mm.



The 16X7 Enkei RS+M are 14.8 lbs at +43mm offset and 100$ more a wheel the konig

The feathers from konig are an option too, and the RP-F1s from enkei are an option as well but I think these would look better on the mini. I like the looks of both wheels liking the RS+M a little more. My main concerns is due to the mini using such a high offset would +40 mm have troubles rubbing on the outside. pretty sure the +43mm should have enough room to clear the strut but be close. Also I've never had any experience with konig wheels and I am unsure of the quality while I have anyways been impressed with enkei. They are a major suplier for japense sports cars OEM wheels. The britelites almost look like the konig is engraved in the spoke which would be a stupid thing to do. Anyone know if they are just a sticker or letters actually recessed in the spoke?

For any rubbing issues I am planing on running 215/50 R16 on BF goodrich g-force KDW to keep the diameter intact and be sportier.

Its a pretty big purchase so I wanted to see if what anyone thought of fitting issues or the wheels before I buy. I did some calculations and measurements and it seems like ill be okay statically for both, but im not sure how much clearance ill have with the suspension flex.

 

You mentioned getting the All season tires so I assume those you will keep with stock rims and then buy a new set of tires to use for better weather spring to fall.

215/50-16 is OK, alternatively 205/50-16 can also be a good size. The 10mm difference is not that much and weight is better and tire selection can be larger.

BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW is Ultra High Performance Summer tire.
$120 each 300 treadwear 24 lbs
In the same tire class and size you'll also find
Avon Tech M500 $86 each 280 treadwear 23 lbs
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 $84 each 300 treadwear 21 lbs

In the same class but 205/50-16 then you have many good choices
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...er=16&type=UHP

 

Yeah its a little more expensive, but ive had good experiences auto crossing on their traction T/A all seasons which I expected to do terrible. I was pretty competive in STS with a civic and those going up against people with more power and falkens. They took 10 autocrosses and a hard 10k miles and still looked new. So from my experience there im just tempted to try BF goodrich again, plus there's 40$ rebate which helps. I figure theyll be a good balance for the everyday and autocrossing tire. Im really just not that crazy to shell out money for slicks every year quite yet. Since the fit should be okay, ill probably just get those and splurge for the enkei because I like their stuff. I was tempted by the toyo proxy TR-1s that come in the 205 size, but I just dont know as much about them.

 

OK, this is different. You're gonna get some 16x7 rims- both are good so it's really your choice.

You want to use these tires for both street use and for autocross.
You want to stay with BF Goodrich.

Why not choose BFG g-Force T/A KDW-2? 300 treadwear W speed rated
205/45-16 $127 fits rims 6.5-7.5" perfect fit 7" rim 20 lbs 23.1" tire diam
205/50-16 $117 fits rims 5.5-7.5" perfect fit 6.5" rim 22 lbs 24.1" tire diam
215/40-16 $128 fits rims 7-8.5" perfect fit 7.5" rim 20 lbs 23" tire diam
225/45-16 $136 fits rims 7-8.5" perfect fit 7.5" rim 23 lbs 23.7" tire diam

I'd suggest 215/40-16 or 225/45-16 for autocross.
Very good handling but not as good comfort. Aggresive tread pattern is popular and unique.


Personally if I were driving in STS and looking to scare the competition silly I'd be considering-
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R in 205/45-16 for $155 each
180 treadwear W speed rated 21 lbs perfect fit for 7" rim 23.2" tire diam
Also comes in 205/55-16 and 225/50-16 but they are too heavy at 26 and 27 lbs and too tall at 24.9".
If you are very easy on them for street use and you drive smoothly for autocross you can make these tires last. Good thing is that they are excellent for traction and excellent for the street- an impossible task but these are not ordinary Max Performance tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Potenza+RE-01R

 

Somewhere down the road I'd also like to replace the wheels on my 2006 MCS. The 16x7 RS+M is near the top of my list, as is the RP-F1. I think the RS+M is a lot better looking, but it's 1.8 pounds heavier per wheel (13 lbs vs 14.8 lbs*). The question I keep asking myself is will the extra 1.8 pounds matter that much on a street car, with the odd track day? As you mentioned, the featherlites are a great wheel for the price (1/2 the price of the Enkeis).
By the way, both Enkeis mentioned above can be had with a 43mm offset.

* figures taken from Brian Goodwin's website.

 

Enkei specs RP-F1s at 13.7 so its not that significant (14.8 is the RS+M). What you gain in weight you gain in rigidity too, but im not sure thats going to show on a lighter car like the mini. I'll post some pics once I decide and get the order.

Im just going to run stock class with the mini so its not a big deal, running on street tires im not going to win. I just want something more fun and good at both. I was under the impression that KDW and KDW2 are the exact same construction and compound. The KDW 2 tread pattern just comes off more like a gimmic to me, so id rather just stick with a traditional pattern that as the discription said they run in Trans Am for rain tires. The RE-01Rs are a little extreme for my tastes at the moment id rather have something more intended for the street and just make up the rest of the time in auto cross with skill. If winning was that important id just be buying a set of slicks. Maybe in a couple of years. Thanks for the suggestions its good to think things over, but I think I like KDWs still for longevity and performance blance.

 

You're right. I just checked Edgeracing's website, and they list the RP-F1 wheel at 13.7 pounds. Brian's a bit off at 13 pounds.
I hope you get the RS+Ms, so I can see what they look like on a MINI.

 

Rim construction and materials determines relative strength not absolute weight. So a rim that weighs more is not any better on rigidity than another rim if they are both made the same way- gravity cast alloy one piece which is common and inexpensive for a reason. The weight difference is due to the actual design pattern of the wheel itself. So a forged light wheel is stronger and lighter but costs a lot more.

I suggested the KDW-2 based on tire size options not based on the rubber compound. The sizes for you in KDW are very limited but possible.
215/40-16 is smaller in tire diameter and 4 lbs lighter with a much stiffer lower sidewall, a very responsive tire size for performance driving compared to 215/50-16. Tread pattern does make a difference as well, whether for handling in wet or dry and for noise or comfort.

The RE-01Rs are intended for the street use but have superior handling. You can think of them as being street legal competition like tires. However they do cost alot for how fast they might wear

 

Well just saying the RS+M should be stronger than RP-F1s since they weight more because its the same company using the same process. Not sure why they would make it heavier and not anymore rigid especially considering they are both in their race line.

Personally I like the sizing option of sticking with the stock diameter. I dont really the car needs any smaller of diameter with all the torque from the turbo, and I wouldnt want to risk rubbing with a larger size.

One problem I see with the RS+M is they use the less normal bore diameter of 75 mm, which I couldnt find anywhere with hub centric ring in that size. The RP-F1s are the much more common 73mm. Although shouldnt too much of a deal to get some 40 thousandths aluminum and cut strips to fit in with the ring and make the fit tight.

 

Check out "Show me your Wheels" post #3645 to view RS+M on a Mini. I bought mine from Discount Tire as a special order, about $20 less for each wheel than Edge. Salesman was Craig. Hub centric rings were provide free of charge by Enkei. I've had nothing but positive comments and no problems with the wheels, a terrific buy.

 

Yeah I actually just ordered and he said that nothing showed up on the computer for 2007 but i ordered them anyways since they will fit. Wonder if that means enkei is supplying them or its confused just cause I didnt use one that showed up in their list. Maybe i should have just told them it was an 06. I assume the inner bore you need for each model is the same? Well I should be able to catch them in time since they have to be special ordered anyways.

 

The two wheels are likely of similar strength. One is heavier because the design allows for that weight, design comes first then weight follows as long as it is not too light (has weak points) and not too heavy ( uses more material and less marketable).

Stock tire diameter is fine. It's a good target to shoot for if you have a choice.

For centering rings-
http://www.1010tires.com/hubrings.asp
They have rings for 75mm or larger.

 

Yeah I saw that but I thought the mini needed 56.1mm inner diameter which I did not see that combination there. But, if at first gen got the rings trought discount tire it should be fine on the second gen I guess ill just tell them to try reprossesing with 2006 and see what pops up.

 

I got my wheels on last week but got a chane to post them today finally. Here are some pictures. For the rings, the 73/56.1mm rings that DTD gave me worked okay for centering. There was an extra lip on the wheel that caught the rim to help out with centering it on. When I get a chance ill probably go ahead and add some space to help out in centering it better since wheel bolts dont make putting on the wheels very easy. But here are the picks, everything fits fine with steering lock to lock and driving hard.