[Disclaimer: If you are the kind of person who thinks a MINI should look like something out of The Fast & The Furious, please move along, nothing to see here....]

I want a set of wheels that preserve a bit of classic British car heritage, but I am disappointed by the lack of options in the 17" size. Classic wheel styles tend to dwell in the smaller sizes, obviously, as that's what the cars ran back in the day. Unfortunately, I can't run a smaller diameter because of my large brake kit.

My top choice would be Revolution 4- or 5-spokes: http://www.revolutionwheels.com/assets/large/G0044.jpg
I have 4-spoke Revos on my 1967 Cooper S, so a matching set on the R53 would be ideal. Unfortunately, Revolution doesn't make them anywhere near this big. (Group order for custom fabrication, anyone? )

Another possibility is the Minilite EV2000: http://www.minilitewheels.us/images/...Cooper_450.jpg
Availability seems spotty on the 17" model and the prices are high.

Does anyone know of any other classic wheel styles that:
1. Are available in the 17" diameter with appropriate offset for the R53?
2. Lend a classic look to the MINI without being out-of-place (Campagnolo wire wheels, for example, would fail to bridge the gap)? Photos on an actual MINI would be nice.
3. Are reasonably priced and sold in the USA?

Until then, I'll have to stick with the stock S-lites.

 

Rota RB's are pretty retro looking.

Here is a photo Mach V Dan posted a while ago of some.

 

Konig Rewinds also have the look, but dont come in 17's

 

I love the modern classic look on MINI's.

I run these 17's as I found they look like the old 10" magslots that people ran on classic Mini Coopers.

 

That's a good one. Thanks. I assume they are available in all silver, without the black?

 

I have a set of Real MINI lites in stock in 17inch.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/used-mini-lite-wheels.html

 

What's the offset on those, way?

 

Panasports are another choice.

IMHO 15" Konig rewinds look the most vintage.

I have 16" ASA JH6 wheels on my MINI. Bought them from Tire Rack. Give Alex a call & see if he can get you a set in 17"

 

The thing I dislike about those particular wheels are the fact the spokes stick out beyond the wheel rim. If you get close to a curb they are trashed.

 

How about DRAG DR-16's they come with multiple colors of centers.

Or if you drop to 15's Drag has more classic styles,
DR-27 ONLY IN 15"

DR-20, comes in 2 offsets and 3 colors with or without the face of the wheel machined flat.

 

I have to say if you are looking for a classic style like the original "minilites" XXR takes the cake. Only problem is fitting them would be a pain the biggest size they come in is a 16X8 and from the looks of it they have a really WIDE offset.
Here is the XXR 513:

 

Nice looking wheel, but that offset looks like it's for rear drive. Bet the wheel bearing would scream uncle if you put those on a MINI.

 

Do a Google picture search and they are on quite a few FWD's. I did'nt go far enough into it to find any MINI's though.

 

I have these exact wheels on my R53 in 17" size and I think they look perfect on the car. Unfortunately, they are on the heavy side. Let me know if you are interested; I could be convinced to sell them and get something lighter.

 

Found one I knew somebody had to do it. XXR 513 on a MCS.

 

He did it with some serious wide arches, though.

 

And it looks sweet!

 

Yes, they are.



There's a bunch more pictures of MINIs with RBs over HERE.

--Dan
Mach V

 

I like the looks of that, I wonder if the 15 x7 would fit on my '05 R53?

 

some wide whites too ?

http://www.classicwhitewalltires.com/17inch