I'm sorry if there is a thread on this already but i couldnt find one..

I am purchasing new wheels this winter and have been looking around. I want to stay OEM/Mini oriented as possible. I have been in love with the JCW GP style rims but i dont wanna make my mini a "Wanna be" But i think they look sweet and the performance is great.

Has any of you guys done this or heard of others doing it?
And is their reasons why i wouldnt or shouldnt do it?

State your opinions please

 

Not sure if $2000 rims make good winter wheel, that is if dealer will sell them to you, they require a GP VIN number to purchase them. And 18 inch winter tire will be about another $940 for winter tires or about $600 for all-seasons. I would suggest keep what you have as the winter wheel, and GP wheels for summer, otherwise most folks try to get the cheapest 15 inch wheel they can or the very cheap steelies for winters. They choose 15 inch wheels cause tires are cheaper and they allow for a narrower tire selection which grips better in rain, snow and ice. A wider wheel acts like a sled on rain, snow and ice. Hence, why a Rally cars will run 5 inch to 6.5 inch wheel for stages that involve heavy rain, snow, ice and mud.
See narrow wheel on WRC car:

 

Utica NY ? Aren't you up by Lake Ontario, the land of snow tunnels and 10 foot snow banks ?

For winter go with the 15's or 16's. If you go 15" Aluminum rims from Tire Rack, they can sell you a rim with proper offset around 36-40mm which will clear your calipers.

Even 16's - 38 et with 195/55/16 would be better than the width of an 18's foot print. Save the 18's for better weather like howsoonisnow1985 said....

 

He's just purchasing new SUMMER wheels/tires DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, guys...

 

GP wheels are really hard to find, even on eBay. Forget going to the dealer, because like howsoonisnow said, you'll need to give them a proper VIN number from a GP car to get those wheels through them. (Good luck with that).

There were some knock-off versions floating around the internet, by WORX wheels, but they're not quite perfect facsimiles to the GP rims...

 

thank you, I have 4 15" steelies for winter.I am looking for SUMMER wheels but over the WINTER. Sorry, my post above might have been a little confusing.


And i didnt know that you had to go through a VIN number to get them. Makes more sense though to keep them limited?.

Is there an Aftermarket Replica? (Just wondering)

 

Sorry, misunderstood intro line, to mean you wanted GP wheels for winter.
There is 2 GP replica wheels, Harrison and Worx, unfortunately they are both from UK. Postage and packaging service might be an issue cause they will charge by the volumetric weight not actual weight, thus exorbitant prices not including VAT costs. I would suggest you try finding if any US vendors have then. Also, if you really want oem GP wheels, and have patience, you can get one by one via forums, ebay, craigslist, etc. I have 2 extra ones already and bidding on a third on ebay, I am trying to accumulate a 2nd set.

 

howsoonisnow1985, i think you know everything there is about Mini

Appreciate the help guys!

 

if i can ask another question:

how do you tell the difference between a GP wheel and its replicas (Worx and Harrison)? I am about to go look at some GP wheels for sale and I wanted to know what to look for.....

do the replicas have their manufacturer names on the actual wheel?

and if these wheels i'm looking at are the real deal, then yes, I will be a "wannabe" and have GP wheels on my 08 MCS.

 

Well just so everybody knows the GP wheels are discontinued now. Even with a GP VIN you cant get them from the dealer anymore.

 

lucky me!! I got my "authentic GP vs. replicas" question answered in another thread, and like clockwork, I bought some AUTHENTIC GP wheels the very next day.

i just got them with fairly new runflats for $850. Had to drive 110 miles for them, but it was well worth it.

pictures posted in my gallery.

 

Yes, very nice they look real from here, replics have a larger lip.

 

My 2010 S MINI ON GP 18"

 

:(

 

greta looking wheel...

 

I got my 17" reps from Ebay seller expresswheel. they are awesome and cost $400 shipped. I have them on my 09 MC. Love the look.

 

i checked with expresswheel (out of stock for 3 weeks) before i found my authentic ones for roughly the same price, and mine came WITH TIRES for $850.

if there are major differences in quality and craftsmanship, wouldn't authentic GPs make more sense at that pricepoint?

can anyone speak to the quality of the replicas?

 

Replica GP rims are heavier. For that reason alone I would prefer OEM R107's.

 

can't be that much worse than the already 20lb heavy R107's could it?

 

authentic GP 18s are just a hair over 19 lbs.
replica GP 18s are over 22 lbs.

 

Anyone, if you know where I can find oem or replica's, let me know

 

I change my gp wheels for tenzo cusco 18x8 titanium grey 42 mm offset, I love my mini now.

 

are you saying that the GPs (OEM i assume?) were no good?

i'm sure many people on this thread would love to know what you did with them.....

 

Its a completely different look. But the GP'S replicas from italy are good wheels. From china :( bad wheels. I have them for sale new. www.arosygomas.com But i am in Puerto Rico so the price is to high for send it, to USA

 

Here they are