I'm casually looking around for wheels, and found these on Tire Rack. IMO they look great, though the weight (17" are 21.5#) is a bit disappointing. Anyone using these or have any insight? I've used Borbets in the distant past with good success.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...racite+Painted

 

What color is your MINI?

It's a new Borbet 17x7 +38mm offset $154 each
Low pressure cast alloy wheel


The thing about +38mm offset is it puts the wheel farther out to the outside of the wheel well by about 10mm vs stock. So you can't as easily run wide and taller tires than stock.

If you use 205/40-17 you'd be fine or if you ran stock suspension and 215/45-17 you'd be ok.

If you drop your MINI you'd need 215/40-17 tires for better clearance and less risk for rubbing in the rear.

21.5 lbs is not too heavy for street use, it's better than your "average" stock rim.

The dark finish helps to hide the brake dust... until you get around to cleaning it.

 

I really like the look of these rims and I'm very interested in them. OK I'm drooling over these rims! but I'm also concerned about the weight! I want better handling and feel and speed from my stock 16's and runflats. I have an 07' MC chili red with sports suspension and I'm considering either the 16's or 17's. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the 16's vs. the 17's? I'm also thinking of getting coilovers so I can adjust the height as needed. But do I need the coilovers right away? I'd really only use them for street use and probably once or twice a year for track use. I'd also be getting 205/45 ZR17 tires. Any advice?

 

17" rims are low stock fewer than 4 right now. one lb heavier $154 each
16x7 +38 offset $137 each 20.5 lbs each In stock

If you did get 17x7 rims then 205/45-17 is fine.
If you get 16x7 rims then 205/50-16 is fine.

Coilovers help to lower your suspension but is not a requirement.
If you are sure you don't want to lower your MINI then for 16" rims you can also consider 205/55-16 but it runs a little tall at 24.9" tire diameter or about 1/2" taller than stock.

There are many comfortable tires in 205/50-16 for street use. Search for that size to learn more from past threads. Even an all season tire will work fine for you.

16" wheel gives less weight, lower price, fairly decent looks, it's in stock, and works with 50 and 55 series tires that cannot fit a 17" wheel for the MINI. Good for street use. Generally those tire sizes are better priced as well.

 

45-60 days to get any more!

Call me to order

Alex

 

Well that's a bummer, any reason why Tire Rack isn't keeping these in stock?

 

Maybe they are so popular they ran out.

Maybe since the wheels are new they got in a smaller first shipment of the 17" size.

At least there is a date to look forward to.

 

Reviving this old thread, since I really love the look of these wheels...

I have a 2009 Mini Cooper S hardtop, BRG with black roof and accents.

Interested in the 17" Borbet LV4's with Conti Extreme Contact DWSs.

I'm running a stock suspension set up (non-sport suspension), and don't plan on any changes in the near future.

Curious about fitment with the Borbet's offset? I see a lot of people in the forums running 215/45s and am curious if this will work with the LV4s or if the stock 205/45s are a better choice. I'm concerned about tire rubbing, etc.

Basically just looking for some tire size recommendations.

Thanks for any insights or experiences you can pass along!

 

215/45 will work with a small amount of dremel work in the rear of the car. 205/45 is the drop on and drive fitment.

 

I bought these from TR soon after my original post, they are the non winter wheels on the car 9 months of the year. One has a small flatspot, otherwise they have worked out fine. I did find out the hard way that the spokes stick out more than the 205.45.17 tires, so if you drop the wheel when swapping them you'll scratch the face. :(

Love the look, they go really well with dark grey. Not sure what the offset is, definitely looks lower than stock as they are pushed out the wheel wells.

 

2011 Mini Cooper Clubman S. Wheels and tires from tire rack.
I got those Borbet LV4 and it nearly matches my grey paint, no problems so far for the stock suspension, I do have plans to lower it, then I let you know how was it. I have bridgetones 215/45/17XL