Alex/ Randy/Anyone

I'm considering mounting the Panasport FS 16 wheels (Mini-Lite look) on a 2004 MCS. The wheel is 16 x 7 with an offset of 40. You can see them here:

http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=33863

1. What size tire can I run on these wheels? I'm thinking of using a Yoko AVS ES100.

2. If I lower the car with the H-Sport springs, are there going to be any rubbing issues?

3. Will lowering the car necessitate a change in tire size from #1 above

Thanks you your help.

Charlie

 

its really hard to tell how much edge the ES100's have.

If i got those wheels (they look nice btw), i would run 205/50/16's.
With 205/50 profile, the car looks great even without lowering.

you *might* get rubbing with h-sport springs on the 205/50's, so
you may want to go 195/55/16's just to be safe. If you get the
proper offset, even if it is lowered, you will not get rubbing.

40's is kinda on the agressive side.



_________________
03MCS IB/Blk: 123, Aerokit, R90 17x7, TK5 16x7, 6CDMP3, and a few more.

 

Hey Chief,

Panasports provide a "natural" look for the new mini. Plus, they're very strong and stout.

I went to tirerack.com to check the "specs" for the ES100s and the different sizes. Knowing from other tires mentioned in these forums, a tread width of under 8" and a section width of under 8.5" you're fairly safe on a wheel with a 45 mm offset. Moving the wheel 5 mm out may not seem like much but it does matter. In this tire, you're limited to 3 sizes, 205/45, 205/50 and 225/45. The 205/45 was measured on a 7" wheel and is fairly fat at 7.9/8.3 (inches tread/section). The 205/50 was measured on a 6.5" wheel at 7.5/8.1. The 225/45 was measured on a 7.5" wheel at 8.7/8.9. You can expect the 205/50 to be wider on the 7 and the 225/45 to be narrower. Given the offset, 205/50 would probably be safest but in all probability, the 205/45 would work (my choice).

Rubbing is a function of many factors, including how the car was assembled. There's a good chance that if the tires don't rub with the stock suspension, they won't rub when lowered, with this caveat, you'll have to hit some holes with the car full of people to really test the clearance.

Lowering doesn't affect the tire choice since the 225 really won't fit without some fender trimming. And there aren't any narrower ES100s in 16s. So as long as this is the tire you want, 205 is the width. You just need to decide whether you want comfort (50s) or look and performance (45s).

 

>>Alex/ Randy/Anyone
>>
>>I'm considering mounting the Panasport FS 16 wheels (Mini-Lite look) on a 2004 MCS. The wheel is 16 x 7 with an offset of 40. You can see them here:
>>
>>http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=33863
>>
>>1. What size tire can I run on these wheels? I'm thinking of using a Yoko AVS ES100.
>>
>>2. If I lower the car with the H-Sport springs, are there going to be any rubbing issues?
>>
>>3. Will lowering the car necessitate a change in tire size from #1 above
>>
>>Thanks you your help.
>>
>>Charlie
>>

Hey Chief,

Check out http://daveturner.com/panasport.html; the prices are much better on the Panasports...

Marty

 

Marty,
Thanks for the tip on Dave Turner Motorsports. That's a savings of $260 on a set of 4. Great.

Dances,
When you say "natural" do you mean that the Panasports are bare aluminum---that there's no finish (clear coat) on the wheels? If so, does that make them difficult to keep clean, given the MINI's propensity to heavy front wheel brake dust accumilation?

Also, I'm not locked in on the ES100's, but they seem like such a good deal. Any other suggestions for this particular wheel combination?

Speaking of which, the 40 mm offset does present some issues. I'd feel more comfortable with a 45 e.t. like the Team Dymamics wheels I've been looking at, but I've always likes the look of the Mini-Lites.

My other "leanings" are for The Team Dynamics Monza, Motorsport, or the Pro Race 1 or 3, but then I'd be into a 17", which wouldn't be bad, I guess. take a look at http://www.teamdynamicsusa.com Any other suggestions in the area of tires & wheels?

Charlie

 

Chief_Charlie ,

You may also want to consider the OZ Racing Superleggera in a 16" size - high quality wheel, and OZ has a nice history with Formula 1 and WRC motorsport. SSR would be another consideration in a 16". Some nice stuff out there to be sure.

 

i dig the Panasports and the Team Dynamics wheels too - especially the forged ones.

Flik has nice looking wheels: http://www.edgeracing.com/product/wh...0619cd990173d1

haven't found any weight info on them though, and would stay away from those nipples - they look like a pita to clean.

 

>>Alex/ Randy/Anyone
>>
>>I'm considering mounting the Panasport FS 16 wheels (Mini-Lite look) on a 2004 MCS. The wheel is 16 x 7 with an offset of 40. You can see them here:
>>
>>http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=33863
>>
>>1. What size tire can I run on these wheels? I'm thinking of using a Yoko AVS ES100.
>>
>>2. If I lower the car with the H-Sport springs, are there going to be any rubbing issues?
>>
>>3. Will lowering the car necessitate a change in tire size from #1 above
>>
>>Thanks you your help.
>>
>>Charlie
>>

205/50/16 ES100 should would just great lowered or OE ride height.

Alex

 

>>Dances,
>>When you say "natural" do you mean that the Panasports are bare aluminum---that there's no finish (clear coat) on the wheels? If so, does that make them difficult to keep clean, given the MINI's propensity to heavy front wheel brake dust accumilation?
>>
>>Also, I'm not locked in on the ES100's, but they seem like such a good deal. Any other suggestions for this particular wheel combination?
>>
>>Speaking of which, the 40 mm offset does present some issues. I'd feel more comfortable with a 45 e.t. like the Team Dymamics wheels I've been looking at, but I've always likes the look of the Mini-Lites.
>>
>>My other "leanings" are for The Team Dynamics Monza, Motorsport, or the Pro Race 1 or 3, but then I'd be into a 17", which wouldn't be bad, I guess. take a look at http://www.teamdynamicsusa.com Any other suggestions in the area of tires & wheels?
>>
>>Charlie

By "natural", I was referring to the fact that Minis have always been shown with Mini-lites. I'm certain that the Panasport has at least a clear coat for protection. The original Mini-lites are actually still available but very expensive. They were/are made out of a magnesium alloy that doesn't require a coating because they don't oxidate.

I'm a big fan of Team Dynamics wheels as they're very popular for Subarus (I have a 2002 WRX). They're not the lightest but they're strong, durable and reasonable. Outmotoring has a selection. The Pro Race 1 is a nice wheel and 17" isn't a bad size considering it's a stock size. The 15" has a 37mm offset and isn't recommended. I prefer the PR2 but that because I hate cleaning wheels.

My short list of wheels includes the AK Monza, available from Webb, and a great choice if you want to go small (15). The RH Evo CP8R if you want to spend some money at $325/. The SSr CompR if you want to go racing. Each is available with a safe and proper offset. And the TD PR2.

I usually let my tire choice select my wheels because they actually provide what I'm after, stick to the road. Since you're willing to consider a Summer tire, some of the best values are Kumho MX and the Falken Azenis. The MX doesn't come in a suitable 16 but does have multiple 17 sizes. The Azenis Sports are only in 16s. The Goodyear F1 GS-D3 is really gaining popularity and if you're willing to spend the money, Pole Positions are great (personal fav). Generally, your tire selection is best in the 17s. I like the 215/40-17 size for performance reasons and because there are 11 Max performance tires from TireRack alone.

I realize that I've stated a lot of things to think about but basically it says, I decide on what I want from my tires, I then check what tires meet that criteria and then what sizes are available and then which wheels would look best with the car.

I don't own a Mini yet but I've already decide on a Gold MC with black PR2 or CP8R with MXs or PP3 if money allows. The stocks wheels will be for winters. Good luck.

 

>>Marty,
>>Thanks for the tip on Dave Turner Motorsports. That's a savings of $260 on a set of 4. Great.
>>
>>Dances,
>>When you say "natural" do you mean that the Panasports are bare aluminum---that there's no finish (clear coat) on the wheels? If so, does that make them difficult to keep clean, given the MINI's propensity to heavy front wheel brake dust accumilation?
>>
>>Also, I'm not locked in on the ES100's, but they seem like such a good deal. Any other suggestions for this particular wheel combination?
>>
>>Speaking of which, the 40 mm offset does present some issues. I'd feel more comfortable with a 45 e.t. like the Team Dymamics wheels I've been looking at, but I've always likes the look of the Mini-Lites.
>>
>>My other "leanings" are for The Team Dynamics Monza, Motorsport, or the Pro Race 1 or 3, but then I'd be into a 17", which wouldn't be bad, I guess. take a look at http://www.teamdynamicsusa.com Any other suggestions in the area of tires & wheels?
>>
>>Charlie


Charlie:

I love the look of the Panasports too and plan to get a set in the spring. I just checked the Dave Turner Motorsports site, though, and it's not clear if the Panasports being offered there are the "Racing" style or the "Street" version. Panasport makes both, and I don't think the Racing version is street-legal. That might explain why they're cheaper. I'd just make sure that the Panasports you order are the FS 16's and not a racing version.

Let us know if you find out anything.

Good luck.

 

In May Paul Spruell Motorsport in Chamblee Georgia was selling 16x7 ET40 Panasports for $208 apiece:

http://www.paulspruell.com/parts/parts.html