Thanks for the help. Ya. The 498s are listed as a JCW wheel for 2014-2019... and I have seen them on a 2018 JCW F56... it could have had spacers though. I'm feeling mostly OK about it. I really wish I didn't think those 501s were so damn batshite ugly. I would have just gotten those and been done.
If I need spacers to clear those calipers, so be it. Thanks for the tip on the wheel bolts. I would not have thought of that.

And thanks for comment about my old Mini. Dearly missed. Ordered it new with pretty much every option except the alarm. The 2 things I miss most are the manual transmission and the lapis blue color. Me and the new gal are still getting to know each other — she's got some issues but, nothing we can't iron out.

Anyway... thanks again for the help.

 

What year was your previous MINI? We still have our 2004 Indi blue MINI that we bought new.

Your JCW is an Auto? While I really like the stick in my JCW, there are times I really enjoy tooling around in the ‘04 that had the CVT (basically an auto). And you say “issues” with your JCW. Like what? I know, getting off topic, but we can make it quick…

 

My first Mini was a '05 Indy Blue Cooper! Loved it. That car is now a cabin car at my friend's place in Wisconsin. Still doing just fine. My Mini that was just t-boned was a 2017. Honestly, my first thought when I was hit was not, "am I ok?" It was, "I don't think we're going to be able to fix this." Still some lingering trauma from it and still missing my blue Mini.

I feel kind of like an a-hole bitching about the new Mini. She's great but, lived a previous life in hot-as-hell Atlanta (not in a garage) and was clearly never hand washed or waxed. Some of the chrome bits were "bubbling" (I've replaced those already) and the rubber and plastic trim, especially around the windshield and roof, is not looking it's finest (faded side scuttles are being replaced this weekend). The very worst part is the rims. Stupid me thought I could just get some new wheels of my choosing, plop them on and be done.... enter the JCW brake caliper. The previous owner also spray painted the rims without taping off the calipers so they are partially silver and covered in over spray. They were so dirty when painted though I can get a lot of it off easily with denatured alcohol. I'll work on those after the wheels are settled.

The headlight lens are getting a bit of crackle from having set in the hot sun as well — they are active headlights so I'm not too keen on replacing those anytime soon.... unless there is some lottery miracle. The last thing I'll mention is, the previous owner was not aware of the wear that occurs on the side bolster of the driver's seat. I have the the seats with the "suede" trim strips. There's a small hole there and the black is worn away on the bolster....

All that said, none of this really scares me. I'll just be snapping off a lot of plastic bits and polishing the headlights (as best I can). Might end up replacing the seats.
Sorry you asked? :P and sorry so off topic.

 

Those old MINIs just keep going. There are recyclers who specialize in MINI parts and noted throughout NAN in various posts. All Mag (I think that’s the name) and Willmek (mentioned here) are 2 that I can think of. As for spray paint on the caliper, try brake parts cleaner. It is way more aggressive than the alcohol, but won’t affect the Red of the caliper. Enjoy the JCW, and let us know how you make out with the wheels.

 

So we may never know if the 498s will fit my car or not. The dealership sent an email this morning that those rims would not ship form Germany for 4-6 weeks. That would be fine with me but, it's only 3 of them.. the 4th had no ETA at all. Prolly just order the the stock 501 camel toe rims and try to convince myself that I like them.
Thanks for reminded me about brake cleaner! I used to use that stuff and carb cleaner lustily back in my high school days when I owned MGs. Haven't thought about it since.

 

Not sure I would get wheels I didn’t like. Just sayin’. Did you check the NAM marketplace or with any of the recyclers for wheels? Recyclers might be your best choice for an OEM wheel.

I’d take my time and look around. Tire Rack has a great selection of wheels. Do a search based on a Cooper S and JCW. You can do a “chat” with them about any you like. They will ship just one that you can test fit. If it doesn’t fit, send it back. They will take it as long as a tire hasn’t been mounted on it and you didn’t scratch it doing the test fitup. That is how I got my track wheels. They were for a Cooper S but cleared the calipers, just barely. I added 2mm spacers just to make sure. Got them on clearance too.

BTW - My first car was an MGA. That was a learning experience.

 

I know you're right about taking my time. The only thing is, I need those damn run flats off sooner than later. Our roads in Chicago are about 80% pothole. I could just get new tires and put them on the current rims and then switch when I find rims I like but I'd just as soon be done with the wheel shopping for now. This car has a lot of little cosmetic things I'd like to address. I think I'd feel better about doing them if the wheels didn't look like they had been bounced around in an industrial shredder, i.e, take care of the elephant in the room before putting up the drapes.

I might post a photo of the wheels here. I can't fathom how a car that can parallel park itself and has rear cameras ended up this way. I had my last Mini for 8 years and I think across all 8 wheels there were a couple of dings from my letting the lug wrench slip and a little road rash on one of the winter wheels.

Anyway, thanks for the good advice. I'll need to buy some 17" winter wheels too — have some time to shop around for those. Those stay on my cars about as long as the summer wheels do.

..and MGA? You fancy. I had 2 Midgets and a MGB.

 

A bit of Zen… You find what you are looking for when you are not looking for it…

I’d get a rattle can out and fix what you can of the ugly of your current wheels. Put the tires you want on them. That way, at least you can enjoy driving the car. In the meantime, post a WTB (wanted to buy) ad with a picture of the wheels you want in the market place here on NAM. You might find a set close to you. Who knows; costs nothing to put a feeler out. And then get going on the “drapes”. I know to you think the wheels are the worst thing about the car, but, maybe the wheels you want will come sooner than you think.

And, oh, the MGB was a far nicer car to drive than the MGA. The “A” might have been better looking, but looks aren’t everything.

Hope your “not looking” goes well for you.

 

Info on the 498 style. But on 2022+ JCW MINIs with the larger JCW GP3 size brakes they might not fit. I would test one if you can find a new one and spin it on the front: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rs-needed.html
Testing for example to be safe.



https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-jcw-bbk.html

 

I received this from a new NAM member, @Delgie05 , and I thought that it could use a wider audience than just me.

As for my experience, a wheel size of 7.5x17 with an off set of 40 to 45mm with 215 tires should clear the suspension. I say “should” as the latest version of the Bridgestone RE71R is quite wide for its stated size. A wheel with an off set closer to 40mm would be best. However, I do know that a 225 tire on 8x17 wheels with a 45mm offset does clear the JCW Pro suspension (look up Charlie Thompson’s about his JCW)

A popular wheel for the track is the 17” x 7.5” NM RSe05, which has an offset of 40mm. This will clear the JCW brakes with a lot of room. If you are already putting 17” wheels on your MINI with X1 calipers, these would be a good choice to clear those.

I am running the JCW Pro coilovers suspension, and have the NM wheels and a set of Sparco wheels with a 45mm offset, both with 215 wide tires and they clear the suspension.

Where I have issues on the track with these wheel setups is with rubbing on the inside of the wheel well arch, as documented here. My guess is that there is a lot of compression of the rubber bushings which causes the wheel to lose camber and the top tilts outward. This is the main reason why I don’t run 225 tires. I don’t want to chance that the tires get sliced by the metal part of the wheel well.

 

Alrighty then, read this entire thread (I promise) and compiled my criteria for a wheel swap. These things are harder than heck to find rim options for (IMO). My goal is to over size the tires to max (or close to it) to maximize sidewall for ride comfort. Also have to consider ease of procurement and price of course. My stock rims have some runout due to pot holes so nearly impossible to get them smooth, although it's not the worst I've seen. Currently running 205/50/17 (slightly oversized) on the stockers.

Criteria:
- Size 1: 17x7 preferred (tires - 215/50/17 too big?)
- Size 2: 17x7.5 optional (tires - 215/50/17 or can I go with 225/50/17?)
- Budget: Under $200 each
- Offset: No less than +42mm (less than stock though)
- Finish: Gloss black
- Variable: Tire size - Fill wheel well as much as possible on stock suspension without any rubbing issues (tire size to be considered depending on offset).

Option 1 - easiest to obtain, a good mix of size versus offset (buy, mount, drive away all in one)
MSW Type 27 17 X7.5 5-112.00 48 BKGLXX | Discount Tire
Option 2 - preferred size
ART Replica Wheels ELEMENT Gloss Black 17x7 5x112 ET42 CB66.6
Option 3 - a good mix of size versus offset
MSW Type 30 17x7.5 5x112 ET+48 | TireRack

What say you all?

 

I daily my F56 on 16s, autocross it on 15s 205/50-16 or 205/55-16 would be a great option for you, unless you have oversized brakes.

 

If they will fit over the brakes, 16” wheels would be your best bet to tame pot holes.

 

Just a quick follow up. Decided to go with these. ART Replica R2121715 | Gloss Black 17x7.0 5x112 Conical ART Replica – Aftermarket Car Parts
Notice the price? $124/each! Been using ChatGPT to curate the best wheel option with my criteria and seems to have paid off. Hadn't been able to find it for under $156 anywhere in the US then found this option that ships from Canada without duties (waved for now) plus another promo that gave 10% off ($50). There wasn't another single wheel option in this size and spec (especially gloss black) anywhere near this cheap, that I like anyway. Offset is a bit lower than I wanted but slightly under a half inch, so shouldn't poke enough to really notice.
As far as tires, I'm going to concede for now and run my existing rubber on these wheels - 205/50r17. That way I can test the difference in offset, clearance, look, etc. I may upsize to 215/5017 if it can tolerate it. Haven't been able to find anyone running a 215/50 on a 17x7 rim for an F56. Neither could ChatGPT.
We'll see how it goes and I'll report back, with pics to add to the knowledge base here. Any thoughts?

 

Bargain!

Waiting to see them on the car…

It looks like they have 42mm ET. That will look fine. I have 40mm ET NM wheels (7.5” wide) with 205-45x17 tires and it looks pretty “normal”.

 

Alrighty then. They cancelled the order due to "lack of inventory"? Bull crap. So, hard fail on trying to order that rim from Canada. Every other source I've tried won't ship to the US. Bogus deal.
Anywho, back to the drawing board a bit. It's pretty clear that there are more options for this car in 7.5" width. So I concede on that.
Best next options give criteria: gloss black, under $200/ea, and not hideous looking. Trying to go with a "stock like" looking wheel and these are about as close as TireRack has in 17x7.5. Offsets are either 45 or 48, so that partially makes up for going to the 7.5" without moving it out too far.
1st choice:
MSW Type 27 Black | Tire Rack
2nd choice:
Rial Lucca Gloss Black | Tire Rack
I really want to up size to a 215/50 tire if I'm going to be forced to go with a 17x7.5" wheel. Thoughts on that combo for fitment on stock suspension?

 

Look up the specs for a 225-45x17 tire. A Falken RT660 would be a good example. That tire on an 8” wide wheel, ET45 fits the MINI, with the MINI suspension. Compare that to the tire (215-50) that you want to buy. I think you will find that the overall diameter is about the same and that the 215-50 is narrower.

 

I have a feeling your diameter may be too large. I've run 215/45-16 on ET48, 225/45-15 on 7" ET47, which was pretty close. 245/35-15 on 15x9" ET33 pokes over an inch whole being about 3 hairs away from the front strut. You're should be ok with 225/45 on 8" ET45, though over 16" may cause issues. 205/50 are perfect for 7.5". Once you hoon a Mini on decent 16s and especially 15s, you'll never want 17s again. More sidewall also means less dentist visits.
You must decide which tyre(s) you wan to use, then see what sizes they come in before picking a wheel size. **** tyres ruin the fun of a Mini. I like Yoko v701s for sporty daily use, there are others...
Have a browse around tunershop.de They have a much better selection of Mini wheels than most other places. They also all TUV, so decent quality. Tunershop.com has a more limited selection, you may find it worth having a set shipped by boat from Germany.

 

RT660 are only suitable for dry warm weather. They are terrifying in heavy rain. Semi slicks do not make good daily tyres. The most aggressive I'd ever consider would be AD09. ECS02 and PS4S will run rings around all the 200s in heavy rain.

 

You posted that you wondered if the tire size and wheel size combination you want to go to would fit with the stock suspension. My comment was only for you to compare the size specs of the RT660 to any tire that you pick out. I know that the RT660 in the 225-45x17 fits. So, if the tire and size you pick out is no larger than that, then it should fit. My comment was not a suggestion for you to get the RT660….

 

You probably shouldn't have mentioned RT660, then. I didn't mention the types of tyres of the various sizes I've had on my car because the guy was only interested in sizing. Most of the ones I've tried are not suitable for daily use. I can tell you that Vitour P1 would be an even worse choice than RT660...

 

Rays sells the following 17x7.5 in 5x112 bolt pattern. Anyone know if any of these fit F56 JCW with no spacers?

RAYS VOLK RACING ZE40 17X7.5J +40 5X112
RAYS VOLK RACING CE28N-PLUS 17X7.5J +39 5X112
RAYS VOLK RACING CE28N-PLUS SL 17X7.5J +38 5X112
RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 SAGA SL 17X7.5J +39 5X112

 

Hi everyone, sorry for reviving a dead thread but i was wondering if 17x8.5 et35 wheels fit on an f56? been looking everywhere and can't find anyone who's done it. just picked up some ecs coils and looking for some good wheels to go along with it but the only ones i found within budget are those. if anyone has any pics or can find anyone else whose ran them please let me know. thank you!

 

First post!
Wecome to NAM!

What size tires are you planning to put on those wheels?

Not sure if this helps, but it might put some perspective on what you are thinking of trying. I tried 225-45x17 tires on a 7.5”, ET40 wheel and the tires were rubbing on the rear wheel well liners. Charlie Thompson put that same tires on 8.0”, ET45 wheels on his MINI. Seemed to do slightly better, but still made contact with the liner, but not the metal. There is not a lot of distance between the plastic liner and the sheet metal. My guess is that with the stock alignment, the 35 ET and the 8.5” wheel width, that the tire will contact the sheet metal, especially if you plan to use a tire wider than than a 225.

 

I like this site for checking fitment:
https://www.wheel-size.com/