I'm thinking of getting a BRG Mini with a white roof and white bonnet stripes. I'm also thinking of getting white wheels, but I'm concerned about how they will look once they get dirty.

I realize that many of you are thinking that this should not be a concern because anyone who loves their car would clean it regularly. The problem is that I might not clean it often. My last nice car (a white 1999 AWD turbo Eclipse) got cleaned less and less as it got older. I never stopped loving it, but I did loose interest in cleaning it.

So, my questions are: Do white wheels look worse than silver wheels when they are dirty, and if so should I not consider getting white wheels if I'm not going to clean them often?

 

white does show dirt more thna other colors.. . BUT loks good though

 

A thread that fits me and "Mints" perfectly!! We have BRG w/ white stripes, white roof, white mirrors, and *ta da* white wheels. I have some pics in my gallery if you'd like to see. I also added my own boot stripes (I may have to redo those since I'm still obviously an amateur!)

I also have a tough time keeping them clean (more from laziness than actually dirt.) They DO get very dirty, no doubt about that...but I REALLY like the look of them better than the silver. I've found that wheel wax (when I find the can, I'll repost with the name of it) from either OutMotoring or MINIMania does a really great job of keeping it cleaner longer.

Good luck, and GO BRG!!!

 

I like mine...when they're clean

Here's some pics I took after a few weeks without a wash...

 

If you just have to have white wheels, I highly suggest some low-brake dust pads like Hawk ceramic pads. Otherwise, you'll be sorrrrrrrrrrrry !!

 

(I ought to add that the gallery pics of my car were taken during a "dirty" period.) When it's clean, it S P A R K L E S!!!!

 

I DO like the look of my S-Lites..

Changing from OEM pads made a HUGE difference. I went with the Hawk but Mintex, EBC and others are pretty good too. Waxing the wheels helps also.. I wash the car once a week and the wheels always get their share of attention. Makes a REAL difference in the overall look.

Jim

 

Nice! (sorry for highjacking Antiderivative!) Since I'm not a gear-head, what does this pad-changeout entail? How much, who can do it for me?

 

Go with the white wheels.

 

I had enough of the OEM pads with my silver wheels. I waxed them every couple months, used Hydro between waxes, and still used a microfiber rag with QD on it every two days to keep them looking spotless.

I just had Hawk ceramic pads put on last week and I already see a huge decrease in the amount of brake dust on the wheels.

That's one of the smartest mods I've done on my MINIs and there have been MANY.

 

hwo do u wax wheels? do u use the same stuff u used for cars clear coat?

 

I have used Maguire's cleaner wax but there are some made specifically for wheels that may work a little better.. If I was REALLY serious, I would put a coat of Carnuba over the cleaner wax.

Jim

 

White wheels with Carbotech Bobcat pads, stop better and stay white longer.

 

I found a wheel wax (pretty SURE it was OutMotoring...) in a squat black can and yellow label - it's got carnuba in it, but it was about $18 a can and has done a great job. Repelled a lot of the dust over at least two weeks.

So tell me - if I'm short on time and knowledge, how do I change out the pads - who can do it for me, the MINI service, or...? And how much are they?

 

Skip the white wheels....

 

I LOVE my white wheels and the great look they create in combination with my mirrors, roof and sport stripes. But that is only when they are clean.

I have a huge brake dust problem as I am a heavy braker. While I am not one to be disturbed by some dust and dirt on my MINI in general, my wheels are driving me crazy! As soon as I can figure out the warranty implications, I'm switching to ceramics, probably Carbotechs.

Have no doubt though, I'm thrilled with my choice to get white wheels.

 

for BRG/White + White Wheels!

Yeah, they'll get dirty ... and when they're dirty and then it rains I would say they definitely look worse than silver would. But when they're clean ... man, there's nothing like them.

The other consideration is winter. I had a beater to drive this past winter so I'm not sure how bad snow/salt/sand/etc. is on white wheels. Next winter I will need wheels and tires and I'm already debating white vs. silver.

 

I love my white wheels! And really, they don't look that bad when they're dirty (as mine usually are...). Most of the dust accumulates between the spokes, so they just stand out more. Of course, they look 100x better clean, but it's a gradual dulling as they dirty and you don't notice until you clean then. But yeah... keep them waxed (Wheel Armour is my personal favorite) and cleaned and you'll love 'em.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I will probably go with the white wheels.

 

I say go for it. For me, if you go with a contrasting roof, mirrors, and or stripes, the wheels really bring everything together as a package if they match.

I mean, honestly......how many cars out there now days can actually pull off whirte wheels and look THAT good other than a MINI?

 

THE FEW, THE BRAVE, THE MINI WHITE WHEEL OWNERS!!! Join us proud!

 

I was second guessing myself after the first few weeks after they seemed to suck the brake dust off right of the pads, but now that I have had them for a few months, the dust does not build up nearly as fast. And they just look amazing when clean.

 

thanks for reminding me that i need to clean my wheels. lol

 

Summer - White Wheels
Winter - Silver Wheels

Change brake pads to non-OEM or so I've been told.