I'm trying to decide between these wheels. Factors I'm considering:

Size:
I decided to go with 16 inch wheels for the best combination of comfort and sport. Plus the roads in my state suck.

Weight:
The 3 wheels below are, I found to be the most sensible in terms of cost and lightweight. All weight around 12 lbs. And when combined with Continental Extreme Contact DWS 195/50/16 all seasons, which weigh 17lbs. each, I'm looking at roughly 29lbs. at each corner.

Price:
All are around $1600 per set. Not cheap but compared to Volks, seem like a bargain.

Future Upgrade:
I'm looking to add a big brake kit in the future. I know Wildwood make kits that fit vertically with 16inch wheels but offsets may be an issue.

Practicality:
I'm also hoping that each of these 1 piece wheels will fit the stock TMPS. The 195/50/16 should be pretty comfortable but with a low enough sidewall to be good at the corners. It should also cut through the snow pretty well too.

1. Weds Sport TC105N: 16 x 7, 43mm offset. 11.9lbs.
2. SSR Type F: 16x7, 42mm offset. 12lbs?
3. SSR Type C: 16x7, 42mm offset 11.1 lbs.

Which would you pick??

 

Wheels styles are a personal matter, but all three of those are straight spokes; from 12 spokes (24 corners to clean the brake dust from) to 6 spokes (12 corners). Thus, I'd pick the six spokes (SSR C).

I'd also consider a slightly wider tire for 16X7" wheels. The 195/55/16 OE tire size is actually molded for a 6" rim.

 

If you really want to know what those wheels will look like on your MINI go to...www.wheelsnext.com, you can upload a sideview pic. of your car, then you can plug and play with the wheels.

This is how I decided on Molly's Enkei T Fork's!!

 

First choice: Weds Sport TC105N: 16x7 43mm offset 11.9 lbs.

Second choice: Enkei RPF1 16x7 43mm offset 13.7 lbs.

 

I have the SSR type C 16x7 - fits my Wilwood BBK on the front, but doesn't fit the rear. Have a set of 17" SSR type C-RS waiting for spring.

Kevin

 

Don't care what wheel you pick but you might want to choose better tires. You are not going to get what you want out of those. Unless you are just going for Baller status.

 

any website that actualy shows wheel weight

 

I got the SSR type Cs, because they were the lightest available on TireRack at the time. I use them as my track wheels.

I agree with Porthos, the DWSs won't do the wheels justice.

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

I was initially thinking of the popular 205/50/16 but I'm leaning more toward 195/50/16 for several reasons:

1. Overall Diameter:
*My stock tire size is 175/65/15 = 23.96 inches
*For 205/50/16 = 24.07 inches
*For 195/50/16 = 23.68 inches
*For 195/55/16 = 24.44 inches!! (this is larger than 205/45/17 = 24.26 in)
All these tires are within the +/- 3% of my stock diameter but if you wanted your wanted your natrually aspirated mini to go faster, would you not choose a slightly smaller diameter tire as opposed to the slightly larger diameter tire size up? ie. rolling resistance, rotational mass, odometer accuracy, etc, etc.

2. Appearance:
I've noticed in pictures of minis with 205/50/16 that the tire tends to "bulge" out too much, when mounted on 7 inch wide rims. Is this just an optical illusion?

3. Weight:
I have not found 205/50/16 tires that weigh 17lbs yet. Are there any out there?

4. Wet / Snow traction and safety:
A 195 width has theoretically less hydroplaning, less bouyancy, and will be able to "cut" through snow better than a wider 205.

5. Handling:
My overall goal is to optimize handling, I care less about straight line acceleration. A 195 will have less lateral grip but my mini only has 125 bhp, will my car ever encounter a situation where I would need the improved lateral grip benefits of a 205?

So why are 195/50/16 not more popular with mini owners?

Thanks

 

If you have crummy roads, is it such a good idea to get such lightweight wheels for road use? And like others have said, you are getting very light wheels, but running with all-season tires? Again, you want a big brake kit, but you want all-season tires? And you mention cutting through snow... all-seasons are good at nothing. Get performance rubber on those lightweight wheels and get a cheaper set of wheels with snow tires for the winter. That is my opinion.

 

"So why are 195/50/16 not more popular with mini owners?"
That size doesn't seem to be very popular with most cars. Tire Rack shows only 16 different tires in that size (including only 2 summer tires), whereas they show 49 tires in size 205/50/16.

"My overall goal is to optimize handling ..."
If you mean only in wet and snow conditions, I think you're right to go with the narrower tire, but you'd probably give up some dry grip. The difference would be small either way, so I don't know if you'd ever encounter a situation where you'd appreciate a little extra dry grip. Some drivers actually seek out situations where they can appreciate a little extra dry grip.

Although the DWS is king of the snow for an A/S tire, I suspect those who are urging you to reconsider may not like the trade-off the DWS makes in terms of cornering stability, steering response, and dry traction ratings. There are other A/S tires that beat the DWS in those three ratings, but maybe not in size 195/50/16.

 

My concern with an ultra-light wheel is durability. For sure you'll get handling, ride quality, and acceleration/braking with a lighter wheel but I would cringe on some of the streets I drive on. A good strong lightweight wheel is a smart idea but I would worry about some of the really really ultralight wheels. Just me though. Not as much of a problem with a 16" vs. an ultralight 17" so maybe it's not a big deal.

As for tire size, I currently drive on an all season 195/55/16 on a 6.5" wheel. Those wheels/tires was only supposed to be a winter set....but a year and a half later I haven't swapped them out. For sure depending on your goals tires can make the biggest difference, but for me, as I don't track or auto-x the car, ultimate grip is not as important handling balance, feedback, ride quality, and of course my broke *** wallet. A more responsive tire would make me happier than my all season hankooks, but it's still a ton of fun.

On that note, you probably won't need a big brake kit on 195 all-seasons on a 125 hp car even at the track. Do the R56 Cooper S upgrade with good pads and fluid and you're set.

Had I got a 7 inch wide wheel I would definitely have gone with 205's though. Also remember that compound will make much more of a difference than width. If you're tracking the car a lot, a separate set of wheels/tires may be a good idea.

- Andrew