I am looking at getting some new rims but there are a ton of options and I am certainly no expert, so here I go...

1) My current tires are 225/45R18s and those must fit my new rims although when they are to be replaced I am looking to go wider, like 245/40R18s. That looks like an 8" wheel should do fine.

2) The offset on the factory rims shows to be 52mm according to https://www.wheel-size.com/, In a perfect world I would like the wheels to be out away from the body more (sticking out from the car more). If I am reading this right, the LOWER the number of offset, the closer to the rear of the wheel the mounting plate will be and therefor, the further out the wheel will stick, correct? So if the wheels I was looking at had an offset of 40 or 35, that would mean they would stick out further than my current wheels.

3) I keep hearing people say that the MINI stock rims weigh a ton, but I have no idea exactly what that is for my factory wheels. You can see them in my signature and maybe you know. The wheels I am currently looking at range from 19lbs to 21lbs. Is that good? Is there a big enough difference in those two pounds to worry about?

Here are a few I am looking at:

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-whe...rlagos/p/70315

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-whe...rsteer/p/78950

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-whe...-dr-49/p/55974

I really like the looks of the Interlagos, and like the fact that it is only 19lbs, but that is really pushing the limits on my budget right now.

The Oversteer is pretty sexy too, and way better on my wallet, but weighs 21lbs. Both these two have 35 offsets.

Ideas? Comments?

 

1) Both those tire sizes are fine and should fit. 18x8" wheel is fine.

2) Correct, offset of 35 is more aggressive than OEM and pokes out about 16mm more which is fine. Just imagine if your current wheels poked out by that amount.

3) OEM MINI wheels are heavy so that cost can be controlled and strength adequate. The lighter the weight the more it costs to construct a wheel that can take street use, otherwise less weight means less durable for daily use. Very light track duty wheels aren't a good choice for potholed streets.

19 lbs for an 18x8 wheel is OK, not super light but decent and the cost reflects that. Cheap wheels in the same size will be half the cost but closer to 24 lbs each or more.
2 lb weight difference is not much, for daily street use it's fine. Combine wheel with tire weight to get the full picture, the MXM4 tire you have weighs 24 lbs. Lighter wheels can be accelerated faster, stop faster, and respond to turning quicker.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info.

Best I can tell is that the wheels I have are around 23-24lbs so even if I go with the 20lb less expensive rims I am looking at that will save me up to 16lbs in wheels and I will wind up with a more aggressive look, wider stance for improved traction, and wider tires once I make that move for even better traction.

I could even add some 15mm spacers to poke them out even more if I wanted to get a little wilde, heh.

Thanks again!

 

Any 18" wheels at 19 lbs will be not as sturdy for bad road use so be careful.

Even forged alloy wheels can be damaged under the right conditions.

Wide wheel spacers may require longer wheel bolts or studs or a type 2 wheel spacer with extentions to use the OEM bolts.

 

I wound up ordering some 20lb wheels, I think they will be reasonably reliable without being too heavy. They are also cheap enough that if there is a problem I can easily get a new one without going broke.

Yup, I expected to have to change bolts if I got spacers.

Thanks for the help, I think I will be happy.

Allan