So my car showed up at the dealer yesterday in the snow storm and we went and looked at it today. It's supposed to come with the shield wheels (as indicated on MINIUSA) as part of the Camden package. Instead it came with something else (even though the dealer sheet showed that it had shields). I'm thinking of making them get me a set, but figured I'd ask around here and see what the general aesthetic opinions are as to which wheel looks better. The attached image where the car door is open shows the wheels it came with. So what do you think?

 

Personal opinion. I like the wheels that came with your car better than the shields....

 

I like the ones it came with more. I don't like how closed up the 'shield' wheels look.

 

You should make them get you the set you ordered, and still keep the ones it came with lol. I really like the shield wheels, those are the ones I will be ordering for sure. BTW, when did you place your order and when did it actually start production?? thanks, I'm trying to get an idea to see when I should order mine.

 

Considering the shields are hub caps and the R108 multi spokes are a $2500 option and look great with the white silver as long as they don't charge you for them I'd say keep them.

 

I just stopped by the MINI dealer to look around (since it's Sunday and they are closed) and I saw those Shield wheels on a Camden. Personally, I don't care for them. To me, they resemble ugly plastic hubcaps. I like the ones that your car came with much better. Just my opinion.

 

The shields aren't hubcaps... they're alloys.

Personally, I like the shield design and think it's part of what makes the Camden a limited edition. If you do want the shield wheels, I should think you have every right to demand them, because that's what you ordered and it's part of what makes the Camden a "Camden".

 

Another vote for the ones it came with--just personal preference but I think they look much better than the shield wheels.

 

Ahh thanks for the clarification.

 

We were going back and forth on this when we ordered my wifes Camden. I was thinking she should stay with the shields because they were specific only to the Camden. My wife thought they would get dirty faster because of the flat surface. My second choice was the infinitys that your car came with but they reminded her too much of her crown spokes on her 07. So we ended up going with web spokes because thats whats on my 05 and she likes them! I think either choice you make your going to be happy because they both look good!

 

Actually, I'm curious about whether they will get dirty more--because more is enclosed, maybe there will be less brake dust? Only one way to find out!

 

We placed our order on December 28th and it went into production on January 22nd. Should be finished February 1st. Can't Wait!

 

Thats what my argument to her was! I thought they wouldn't get as dirty because of what you said, but when we went for a test drive the Camden had them on it and they were already dirty. So right there she said no way!

 

Tough choice. I also would love to have the 'special edition' ones, but frankly the ones you have a very nice too.

And I worry about the brake-dust (and dirt) on the ones you got, but then again, look -- you got a white-ish car, so just go for it! Ask for the ones you should have had.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. After poking around on the MINI web site, I think I may try to go with a set of web spokes instead of the shields. I like the shields, but they do look a little like hubcaps. The web spokes look TIGHT!

 

The shields are SO ugly. Stick with what they gave you.

 

Ugly but unique! I thought that just for the exclusiveness it might be worth having them. I do like the web spokes better and also think the infinite streams look pretty good as well.

 

I like the Shields!

 

I like the wheels it came with also - but then I liked the crown spokes also

 

If I didn't know they were rims, I'd think they were hubcaps too. I don't know, the shields are just cheap looking to me. But then again, the only MINI rims I really like are the R90s, R99, and R108s. Other than that IMO I think MINI rims are pretty lame.

 

Infinite streams all the way. I have them in my Camden and I like them a lot

 

Well... Here's my last (I hope) dilemma: Which wheels to get on my Camden? The more I look at the Shields, the more I actually think they really compliment well the White Silver color I will go with. They seem to reflect light a lot, and I have to say it's a pretty unique look. I suppose you either like them or not. But then, there's me: Not sure!

This dilemma could be made easy for me as one dealer told me I can't exchange them for the Web Spoke wheels (I was considering these as a replacement to the Shields) since I'll be leasing the car. "BMW Canada wants to keep the Camden Package intact" - or at least it's the dealer's argument. Another dealer told me: "Sure, you can have the Web Spoke wheels, for the price of the sport package." Um, I don't think so. And finally, a third dealer told me: "Informally, I can tell you that this could most likely be done." Ha.

So if anyone has any words of wisdom, please send them my way... Much appreciated!

Note: Thanks to the owners of these 2 beautiful cars which are complementing my post.