I'm entertaining the thought of going with ROTA RB (17" x 7.5") for my 04 R53..
Just did a quick search and came across this:


$175.95 / wheel?
I have to admit - it's been more years than I can even remember the last time I purchased sport rims for any of my cars but a price this low seems unreal to me.

I find it hard t believe wheels like these can be that affordable.
Or am I missing something?

 

Recurrent memes in popular car culture!

ROTA brand wheels have always been somewhat inexpensive and have tended to get lots of hate on various forums as being "fake knockoffs" or whatever, so they lack street-cred reputation.

I run the 16x7 RB's and love them as they've served me very well. A bonus is that they weigh less than the equivalent Panasport, Enkei, or Watanabe versions.

The RB has been a very popular wheel with MINI's,
you've probably seen this thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...l-gallery.html

The thread was started by Mach V who was initially a big supplier and they're still around too, but current cost looks slightly more than the shop you quoted...

https://machv.com/products/rota-rb-17-x-7-5

...altho at one time it appears that $179 was the going rate?



Here's a short history blurb about ROTA ~

The company actually started out in 1976 as a joint-venture between Italian company FPS (maker of Cromodora wheels) and Filipino entrepreneur Romeo Rojas to produce alloy wheels in the Philippines to supply to a thriving Philippine automotive industry and the aftermarket. Rojas was into the importation of car accessories from Italy during the time, bring in products from prestigious brands such as Momo, Personal, and FPS wheels.

"In 1983, our Italian partner was getting old and decided to retire, so he sold us his share in the company. Thus Philippine Aluminum Wheels, Inc. (PAWI) was born and we decided to rename the brand to Rota Wheels," shares Michael Rojas, PAWI president.

Advert from 1984:



An old brochure:




They used to make a 3pc version as well:

 

Thanks for that @Oldboy Speedwell - and that great bit of Rota history!
Although I really am partial to the design of my S-Lites; I just never cared for "painted" wheels. I know they're heavy. I've never really concerned myself with that. I like these Rota RB's. The are a close match to the design of my current factory S-Lites.

I would really love to get a set of these that you've pictured in your response:

Any idea as to what model wheel these are called?

Since the early days of my wild custom rear-engine builds, I was more about the "theatrical" design aesthetics. I ran N50 15's (325's/50R) on the rears wrapped around polished aluminum "Centerline" deep dish rims.
However, the S-Lites remind me of the Empi rims that were popular (35 years ago) with the custom VW crowd. When I bought my Mini, naturally the S-Lites reminded me of those good ole' days and we insisted on them when placing our order.

Haters are free to say what they want about these Rota RB.
I will eventually order a set and plan on wrapping them in 215/45R 17's along with 15mm spacers

Thanks for the info

 

@Here2Go

Unsure what ROTA called them but those are very rare and were likely only available in smaller sizes --- more generalized you'd call 'em 3 piece or modular style.

Most of the 8-spokes made in that style are NLA and pretty pricey if even can find in the right spec measurements.

SSR made the RS8 which used Watanabe centers and are fairly common to find secondhand.



:

Panasport made the G7 C8 which are a bit more difficult to source, but have a great chunky look.



:

Minilite proper even made them like that but those are exceedingly rare.


:

As for brand new wheel in that style there actually are some options, like Rotiform for example, but they tend to be extremely expensive.

There's a company in England called Image who make nice chonky versions, but the ask for the 17x7.5 size is £452 ($548) each and that doesn't include shipping.

https://www.imagewheels.co.uk/rm2-alloy-wheel/

 

A better look at those rare modular Minilites can be seen on this auction as fitted to a badazz '67 Mustang ~

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/...ang-fastback-6

That variant is the center-lock version which is quite awesome too.

Also,
brings up a nomenclature point that I missed earlier as the British often refer to this style as "split rim" so there's that.

I've never ran modular wheels so have no experience whatsoever,
but at one time was interested in them so did a bit of reading up which ultimately changed my mind against, mostly due to weight concerns and added complexity.

Dove deep into research when I came across a bargain on ebay as someone was selling a complete set of 8-spoke Image centers...





...so I could have bought them and had them "re-barrelled" as they say, but man are new barrels pricey and at that time were suffering a long wait shortage, plus would have to figure out correct sizes for inner/outer barrels and just ended up being too much of a hassle for me to undertake.

Image also offers what they call a "classic build" where the bolts are hidden on the inner which looks really good in my opinion.

 

I bet they charge shipping or handling or something.


mini spec RB are all over eBay at $799 a set which is $200 a wheel, so that’s only $20 less.


I was looking at a set in hyper black but decided to just stay on S heavies. Couldn’t find any weight specs so don’t know how much lighter they really are.


edit. 18.2 Lbs for 17x7,5 et45

machV still has em and they vary depending on finish from $179-199 a wheel. Silvers & hyper black are $179. Rest are $189 I think.


https://machv.com/products/rota-rb-1...nt=27016089031


Just so you don’t have to buy from a sketchy website.

 

@Oldboy Speedwell you are a virtual walking encyclopedia of knowledge!
We should have a NAM directory discussion board labeled "Just Ask OldBoy"
What a wealth of information you've provided. I really like the IMAGE "chonky" style 8 spokes. Although (even if available) - Just not the price or the complexity of the modular.
But boy are they cool looking and even better/closer match to retaining the look of my (much loved) heavy a$$ S-Lites.

My good friend (long ago) had modular 15x10's Centerline rims for his 115HP(?) VW Beetle drag car. I remember seeing him taking them apart (for what ever reason). No thanks

Having already done some checking around the web (eBay, offerUp, Craigsscam...) for 8 spoke RB and the like - I found a seller on eBay. Hyper Black $800 shipped. Wheeltech.com = $723 + $170 shipping (= $893).
I'm having to constantly swat my index finger away from hitting the BUY NOW button because: 1) not sure if inferior knock-offs. 2) I've just wrapped brand new 205's on my S-Lites not too long ago.
Storage is also issue for me.

But boy am I still excited!

Thanks for the great pics and education!!!

 

And it has helped me, thank you.

 

I have a set of older Panasport 16x7 and they weigh in at about 16-17 pounds each sans tire. They are the street versions. They are tough as nails as they say. They were the summer tires for my R50 and now are summers for the R53. With them on, the car looks great. I was looking at getting some Rota's when a fellow MINI owner from the old Owners Lounge had this set that they didn't want any more and sold the set with nearly worn out tires to me for $600 as a "wedding gift price." They did come with some curb rash.

Do I think that the Panasports look better? Yes, but not by much. Are they any more round? No. Would I get them now, now (20 years on) that I'd actually be able to budget for them? Maybe. They are quite expensive. Are they worth the extra money for what they are? Probably not. There is essentially only bragging rights with the Panasports and you have to actually point them out to most people as they initially think they are the Rota. LOL Now, if you can afford the race versions..... get those. Look the same as the streets but weigh less. However, they will wear out as wheels are a wear item on race cars, just like brakes and tires.

Then there is the possibility that you might bump a curb........ and then you have just curbed your Panasports....... getting that fixed is not cheap. Where as the cost of fixing the Rotas would be no less expensive, you might feel less compelled to get them fixed as they are about half the price.

Typical MINI meet interaction 1 -
"The Rota's look great."
"Um..... yeah, they're actual;y real Panasports."
"Oh.... really? Rotas look just like that for a fraction of the price."
(me thinking - that was great use of money .......) "Yeah, I got a deal on them 20 years ago."

Typical MINI meet interaction 2 -
"Dang! Holies on an R53! They really look so nice."
"Yeah, if they were only just a bit wider they would be perfect."
"They weigh, what, 15 pounds?"
"12 actually."
"Nice."

Go for the Rotas. I am sure that you will be very pleased with them.

 

By talking to people, we can find many answers to questions. So I agree with you!

 

Having raced on both Panasports and that version of Rotas,
the Rotas are 'good enough'- they're a bit heavier, but nearly as tough.
I have beat the hell out of both, and bent neither.

For a street car, I'd buy the Rotas over the Panasports and spend the extra on better tires.

The steel inserts on the Panasports sure are nice, though.

t