hello! I've got a 2010 Cooper S with the JCW Tuning kit with stock 17" Crown Spokes. next up is lowering springs from NM. next up is the Wilwood BBK, but i see a lot of "my wheels don't fit anymore" with the various BBKs on the market and i'd prefer not to get stuck needing to get new wheels immediately after buying the BBK. So, does the Wilwood work with my current wheels? then... what I want is 18" rims but don't know if any JCW rims (R113 or R105) will fit after getting the BBK. i haven't had much luck doing my own searches here, or elsewhere, so anyone with facts (or opinions) is greatly appreciated. pics of 18" wheels that would fit would be a bonus! i am way partial to black, preferably Matte finish, wheels (hides the fact they will be covered in brake dust...).
Cheers,
James

 

James:

The 18" Wheel will fit up to and including 14" brake kits. That's 11.75, 12.2, (TCE) 13 and 14" kits.

The issue is not so much the diameter of the kit but the OVERHANG of the model caliper used in production. Also rotor width effects this- the wider the rotor; the more the caliper comes close to the spoke.

This situation is not a Wilwood issue but a common problem for any big brake kit. You simply need to find wheels that are "BBK friendly" and have a nice curve to the spoke. Deep dish wheels suck for brakes; they look cool with big fat lips but the spokes being flat don't make room needed.



The dimension "A" above varies greatly by caliper model and manufacture. YOU need to find wheels that are curved like the sample here to clear the caliper. I don't believe any supplier has a dedicated list of what does and does not clear. Your best bet is to compare the wheels depth at this point and to the spoke.

In my world the factory Wilwood kit is pretty darn friendly. The 13" TCE/Wilwood kits less, the 13.1 less and the DP6 option more...all confusing until you compare the stats on the WHEEL FIT page.

 

Thanks a lot for the quality specs! This will help immensely when I start my search for rims. Nice to see a detailed but simple post from a reputable vendor. i will keep your shop in mind when i go get my brake kits.
Cheers,
James

 

i recently bought a BBK from Wilwood, also came with the crossed drilled and slotted rotors, my wheels are Breyton 18's that have a deep dish lip to them, I had to purchase a 15mm H&R wheel spacer to clear the caliper. I must say it looks HARD, not onl do the wheel spacers give your car a wider stance, it also gave me more road response. If you do get only the front kit and you do need the wheel spacers, /i would reccomend getting all four spacers anyway so your local tire shop doesnt try to wrench down the wheels without moving the spacers, simple recomendation from my mechanic. I just joined the website today, I will post pics of my baby tomorrow, keep a heads up.

 

While not questioning your choice of wheels when I hear this; it's the first red flag for anyone trying to fit a big brake kit. And the first sign that a spacer kit (as well as a stud conversion or long bolts) are going to be needed.

Personal preference is that folks look to "brake friendly" wheels with a good pocket area for the caliper to clear.


None the less...get up a pic and enjoy your purchase!

*Should be able to do you right on the rear question shortly.

 

Tarentel: I'm assuming the 17" crown spoke rims you're talking about are the JCW Challenge R112 wheels right? If so, could you let us know, either through measuring or buying the BBK whether or not it'll fit without spacers?

I'm trying to decide myself too, but my car hasn't arrived yet so I can't physically check!!