I have a MCS on order and I'm going to replace the "S-lead" wheels & runflats with some lightweight aftermarket wheels and conventional performance tires. Question is what should I do with the S-leads if I eventually may trade the car in? Should I sell them, or save them for trade-in?

Do dealers (Mini or otherwise) always want cars in stock condition on trade-in? Will they just charge me the price of stock wheels on trade-in if I sell the S-leads now?

Assume that if I do a private sale, it will not matter as much.

Thanks for your help.

 

i kept the R90's that my car came with. it's stacked up in storage.

 

Don't know where you're located, but if I was in your situation I'd put snow tires on the S-lites.

 

I've not heard of a dealer refusing a trade-in because of something as trivial as wheels. OTOH, you won't ever get back your investment on mods on trade-in or outright sale and while stock wheels won't necesarily get you a better trade-in, custom wheels definitely won't. There's a larger market for stock, or stock looking, used cars than there is for modded cars. People think cars with mods have lived a harder life. And mostly they're right.

I've saved the stock wheels 'cuz sooner or later MINIs are going to be cult cars and stock will be worth more then.

I'm also planning to live to be 147, and very soon in the mail I'm going to receive the products that will enhance my manhood, grow hair the bottoms of my feet, and make my breasts perkier. I can hardly wait.

 

ive yet to see a tuna with hairy feet.

 

How true! Over modding the cars is not smart from a financial stand-point. If you're looking to get the max return on your depreciating asset, stay far away from mods in general. Even wheels unless a premium brand like BBS that may add value (but not as much as you paid).

Here's the truth about S-spokes. They are heavy compared to ultra-light weight wheels, typically aftermarket. But they truly go well with the MINI's character. People spend thousands on aftermarket wheels for BMWs these days and they're lucky if they are as light as the S-spokes. Typical OEM BMW wheels are 10 pounds heavier than S-spokes, and you don't see the average BMW driver moaning about heavy wheels. Don't let the hair-splitters get to you. I'd rather have a Koni FSD equipped MINI S with S-spokes and runflats than a stock suspended MINI S equipped with similarly priced aftermarket wheels and conventional tires. At least from the seat of pants perspective. At least with FSDs, you've enhanced the second market appeal and you'll get some of the money back in trade. Test drives sell used cars and FSDs will seal the deal.

Aside from all that, my MINI dealer allowed me to trade my S-spokes at the time of new delivery for a brand new set of MINI silver R99s (made by BBS) with new Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSST tires. All for only $300 more (I paid far under for the car too--thousands in fact). I couldn't pass that up. I don't absolutely love the wheels, but at least they're quality made and a bit lighter.

 

IF you don't have much space, you can sell them off. If you do, keep em and no harm done! Maybe they'll credit you for optional wheels, but the prices I saw in the Mini of Moutain View dealership weren't very kind to your budget.

But you're not going to get dinged a lot for other wheels on the car at trade in time, if you keep the size the same. To many a dealer, an mag is a mag, no matter what's on the centercap!

I wouldn't worry on this one. Do whatever makes you happy.

Matt

 

I've seen plenty of used cars with aftermarket wheels for sale at dealers, I doubt it would be an issue. If you are going to trade and are concerned the other option is a cash plus stock wheels trade with someone who wants your wheels when you are ready to sell. On the other hand, if you sell privately the aftermarket wheels may be a selling point, make the car look good and set your car apart from others.

Take a peek at some BMW boards for the 3 series, Zs, etc and you'll see many many people have upgraded their wheels for various reasons including improved looks, quality and weight (of course it happens in the realm of the enthusiasts, the typical daily driver owners mostly don't care or notice which is why many wouldn't even notice aftermarket wheels if on a used car). In comparing BMWs and MINIs I think the MINI benefits the most from improving on wheels/tires due to the nature of front wheel drive, lower horsepower/torque, and smaller brakes on the MINI vs the majority of BMWs (at least the ones I've had).

Hope that helps - now that's the spirit, customizing even before you get your MINI

Addendum: At least, as mods go, wheels are easy to change and sell whereas other mods are much simpler to just leave on the car and thus you lose much or all of the investment. That said I do not think that really kills the idea of modding a car to suit you, at least not for me since the point is to enjoy the car while you have it. So customize early so you can enjoy it longer and only put as much money into it as you and your SO are comfortable with

 

Funny you mention Mini of Mountainview - the sales guy there had SSR comps on his MCS

 

They've got to be less expensive that what they sell in the showroom!

Matt

 

Hmmmm... come to think about, living in an ultra conservative section of the East Coast, I rarely do see aftermarket wheels on cars around here (except for dedicated snow tires and ricers with coffee cans), and I don't think ever in a dealer's used lot.... it is quite different from the car culture West Coast, I would think.

Perhaps I should keep them to be safe, might even help in a private sale as some of you have eluded to. I did consider using the S-leads for snows, although as a skier, I'd much prefer to down size to 195/55/16s, but it definitely won't make sense for me to keep 3 sets of wheels, so maybe I'll just live with it.

BTW, I'm going to try to get below 15lbs on a 16" x 7.5" or 7" rim with a 205/50/16 tire to save about 10lbs per corner, get a bit more compliance for some rough roads around here, and lower the gear ratio just a tad as I'm surrounded by very tight twisties (actually a motorcyclist at heart ). I'd like to go with the SSR comps, but they're a bit expensive and I don't like not knowing if the company is going be around. Kosei K-1s and Rota Slipstreams may be leading the budget corner.

Never was so concerned about wheel weight before, but have also been used to more power (B5 S4 now). The MCS is kinda of an "edge" car for me, so might as well fine tune one of the most important (and easily reverseable, as you've mentioned) handling aspects and get it right to start with. I am a minimal mod type person (ease of resale being a major reason) and only intend to do the rear sway bar after the wheels.

Thanks for all the help folks. This is an awesome board!

 

Keep them.

If your trading your current MINI in the future for a new one AND your new aftermarket wheels will fit (will they for the next generation?) then keep them and stick the OEM wheels back on for the trade-in

If your trading for another brand vehicle, again, stick the OEM wheels back on and SELL the aftermarket wheels. You might get something for them. If you just trade them in with the car, you will get, most likely, nothing for them. Dealer wont care a hoot AND it might be more difficult to resell.