Greetings,

So I've recently purchased a 2006 Cooper GP and wanted to get a second set of wheels and tires for track day use. I'm new to the whole car thing but have an extensive motorcycle racing background. My biggest concern is around fit
for the car. As I understand it, the sweet spot for sizing is a 17x7.5 wheel, with a 40 offset and 14 mil lug holes. Does that mean any wheel that fits those sizing requirements should work? Is this the correct size for the GP, given the JCW rotor and brakes?

Also, what are some recommended wheel types? I'm much more concerned about weight and strength than aesthetics since these are going to be track use wheels.

Also, what's a decent track tire recommendation? What are some of the popular compounds?

Thanks!

-Creech

 

Hi Creech...my friend is going through the same scenario with his GP. Even some 15" wheels fit over the JCW calipers. I think he decided to go with a 17" setup because he wanted to use an R compound that has good life such as the Nitto NT-01 or the Toyo RA-1 in 205/40/17 or 215/45/17. As far as a good bang for the buck, try the Kosei K1 (17X7) for $179 and weigh about 15 lbs from Tirerack. The Motegi Tracklite or the SSR's are probably your best choice as far as lightweight but at a price. Good luck.

 

OZ Ultraleggara and Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 in 15x7 both clear the brakes. Race rubber in 15" is much easier to find in sizes that work for the MINI, not to mention considerably cheaper.

 

Great looking wheel, also very strong, ... but just too friggin heavy for a track Mini I think.

 

Not sure you can get the RA1s in a 215-17. Maybe that's something new?
I HIGHLY recommend the RA1 205-40-17, shaved, as a great track tire.
You want the Kosei in a 17x7.5", not 7".
By the way, I happen to have a set for sale. See my sig and know now that I am selling wheels and tires separate. They have already been un-mounted.

 

13-14lbs is heavy? with race tire, about 33lbs. Heck, even my 15" RG-F with street rubber was 29lbs mounted (and they won't fit JCW brakes).

 

[quote=onasled;2041304]
I HIGHLY recommend the RA1 205-40-17, shaved, as a great track tire.
You want the Kosei in a 17x7.5", not 7".
[quote]

Hi,
Why 7.5" and not the 7"?

With a 205 tire, its gonna get stretched on a 7.5", so isn't 7" more suitable?

 

No, a 7.5 is a perfect fit for the Toyo 205. Toyos are happier on a wider wheel. Also, on the track you want to go more stretched then not, but not that this 205 is really stretched, just fits better.

 

Sorry Dan, for some reason I did not see you mentioned OZ. I was just commenting on TD. But at 13.5 lbs, they are actually lighter then I thought. Though a good track wheel under $200 each is 10lbs and under.
I talked with TD and was considering their wheel for the race car, but they were 20lbs in a 17x9 . Not sure how they get it down to 13.5 for a 15x7.
Again, great wheels, but I guess I personally would look for the lightest I could afford for track use.

 

yeah....they aren't bad in the smaller sizes. I like their strength and finish vs. a Rota or Konig at the same price. Heck....a bit stronger than the OZ's as well. My old Konig Subzero's on my CRX were 13lbs in 15x7 and $95 each (same as Rota SubZero). Hard to beat....the issue is the JCW fitment. Nobody selling these knows and you need to testfit before comitting. The OZ UL, TDR both clear.

 

yo creech check out 5zigens 17x7 from edgeracing.com. they have them and toyo ra1's on sale. total price is 1285 shipped or thereabouts and rims weight 15.5lbs which is pretty good for a cheap-o rims. 205/40-17 will fit on the car without having to hack it up and toyos last forever. or you can go through discount and get nt01's in same size and they'll match the price on rims. make sure to get anodized silver or bronze finish, other finishes add about a pound in weight.

or if u wanna be a baller get 17x7.5 ssr and wait for kumho's 215/40-17 v710's to come out later this yr. that is the killer set up if u've got the cash for it (figure ~2x price of 5zigens and toyo/nittos).

if u go with 15" or 16" rims keep in mind that some big brake kits won't fit. even with 17" it's not a guarantee that they'll fit - depends on wheels and brake kit. also u'll need camber plates / camber links to make sure u don't kill the tires on the outside. gotta love ghetto bmw suspension design where nothing is adjustable.

 

going with the SSR Type C-RS iwith Toyo RA1s 235-40-17 for track and Yokohama S-Drive for street. That combinations seems to work pretty well as I have researched around from few that have tracked the car.

The SSR are expensive and if you want to stick to 17 x 7.5 you can't got wrong with them. I personally like the wider rims, the more surface touching the better.

As far as Tires for track, I believe that the Toyo RA1s shaved are your best bet.

 

fwiw 235/40/17 will rub on a mini. not a big deal as long as ur prepared to deal with it. extra rubber is nice though!

 

i'm about to place an order for some 17 X 8 Kodiak wheels. not cheap at over $600 a corner, but custom offsets, light weight, good looks, strong and true have a value. check them out. if interested, pm me as i am trying to put a group buy together. probably not a great discount, but individual sets at the same prices that race teams pay.

once i bought a set of HRE's for the street, i can justify the cost of almost any wheel!

i have a set of SSR type C-RS's. i'm very happy with them.

greg (wheel junkie)

 

Kodiak is nice. If anybody wants a set of Work VS-XX I paid for last year (and is on a slowboat from JP as I write this), I'd be in for some Kokiaks

<admitted wheelwhore>