OZ Ultraleggeras vs. Enkei RPF1's: which to buy?
 

Getting ready to order Summer wheels for my new '08 MY/B MCS JCW and have narrowed the choice to those two wheels in 7x17 size.

The OZ's have a 37mm offset, weigh 16 lbs and are low pressure cast/shot peened; while the RPF1's have a 43mm offset, weigh 15 lbs and are gravity
cast w/MAT technology.

Which wheel do you think is better AND WHY?

Any experience you've had with either or both would be appreciated.

TIA for your advice.

RPF1 FTW.
Less played out, lighter (i believe) and better looking (subjective) :wink:
make sure u get a low profile with em tho... cuz they look really small even if they are 17s

I pesonally like the RPF1's. The wheels are TOUGH, inexpensive, and lighter than the OZ's.

Plus you can get them in the SBC coating and they would look GREAT.

Attachment 173043

I am planning on getting them on my MINI as well :thumbsup:

RPF1! RPF1!

Thanks to all of you for your views, and for picture of the RPF1's, which I've actually never seen on a car before.

If anyone has pictures of either the RPF1's or the Ultraleggeras on a MINI that would be very helpful.

I'm sure you know you can use tirerack.com to see the wheels on your car, but otherwise I don't have any pictures.

The RPF1's above were the SBC, super brilliant coating. They're a bit like darker chrome, the idea was to create a chromelike finish without the weight, and they are still VERY lightweight.

If you want to see RPF1's in different sizes (15, 16, 17") with similar size tires to the Coopers, check this thread out on my home forum (unless I join your cult!)

http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1511543

There's 40 pages of examples, and growing!!!

Personally, I think the Ultraleggera's are much better looking.

I know you have a Gen 2 MCS, I have a 03MCS. I prefer the OZ's I love the look of mine. Some said the look is played out, hmm. you could go with the RPF1's and look like every other Scion TC out there :wink: :lol:. Check my gallery if you want pics.

The OZs are waaay played out. Only seen a couple of people on NAM, or m|u, with RPF1's on the MINI. Get the RPF1 with a 5mm spacer all around and get 40 series tire for rubber.

Whatever:roll:

The only place wheels seem to be played out is on NAM or other forums. I live in LA and have yet to see another MINI with OZs and we have a ton of MINIs here. 99% have OEM wheels. I wouldn't let the played out or not debate influence your choice.

Sincere thanks for all the pix. Gives me a very clear picture of what they look like installed.

Something similar to the RPF1s is the Kyowa KR228.

http://wheelstudio.com/catalog/image...8_swpl_med.jpg

~ $132, 17 lbs each



https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...side_small.JPG

I liked the more roundness of the spokes.

I have the Forgiatta's in a 17x7. Love them. Believe they are now discontinued, same look, lighter weight...

Thanks for the pix. The wheels and the car look great!!

I'm personally not a huge fan of the RPF1. Seeing them in person on a few cars turned me off to them. Decent looking wheel and I'd use it on a track car but there are better looking wheels out there IMO.

The weight won't make a difference in street driving. SCCA's Sports Car mag and Grassroots Motorsports did some evaluations on wheel weights some time ago. The best result they got was .01 - .02 seconds improvement in lap times.

Thx. :nod:

im thinking of getting the motegi SP 10 in matte black... anyone have an opinion on those?>

Didn't mean to offend you. They UL is a nice wheel, I've just seen it too much. Just my personal opinion, now if you had SL's. :eek: I love those wheels.

On a second note, I didn't notice the OP had an R56, I wouldn't get the RPF1's on that, they'll look too small. :sly:

Yea the RPF1's, and BBS wheesl in general, are wheels that look too small to me if you don't get them in a decent size.

I'd be getting 16's or maybe 17's. The 15" wheels have spokes that are way to stubby IMO.

For me, on a DD, lightweight isn't a performance concern for faster times.

I look for improvements in braking and fuel economy as well- example, if you get 17" chrome wheels that weigh 22lbs each, and have a 17" lightweight forged wheel that weighs 14 lbs, that extra 8 lbs of unsprung weight per corner saps acceleration, prolongs braking distances, and makes the engine work harder to achieve the same results.

The big concern is cost to benefit.

It doesn't make sense to spend 500 a wheel to save an extra .5-1 lb on a street car over 200 a wheel on an Enkei RPF1 which is already drastically lighter.

It's all personal preference by that point :thumbsup:

No prob. :)

just for comparison sake: RPF1 16' replica on my mini, tires are 215/40-16 kumho V710
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...m/IMG_2210.jpg

ditto

I am considering the RPF1 in 17x7 in SBC. The more I see the wheel the more I like it. With it's lightweight design and decent price it will make a great wheel for both street and track.