I'm about ready to order a set of summer wheels/tires for my MCS in the next couple of weeks and I'm sort of vassilating between the following:

Panasport FS w/ polished rim 16x7 ? lbs ? Offset
http://www.panasport.com/fs16.html

w/ Bridgestone Potenza S-03 225/45/16

SSR GT2 17x7.5 14.6lbs +42mm Offset http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Displ...Silver+Painted
w/ Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 215/45/17

OZ Ultraleggera 17x7 17.5lbs +37mm Offset w/ Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 215/45/17

I had originally planned on going for 16s and I really like the classic style of the Panasports but I've got a few questions before I wind up pulling the trigger.

1) I'm sure this has been asked before, but I've spent about three hours so far going through search results on the Panasports but I still haven't found a definite weight on these. Anyone have this info?

2) Anyone have any reccomendations on tires available in 225/45/16 for spirited daily driving and the occassional AutoX event? Right now I'm looking at the S-03s pretty much by default as they seem to be the only Max perf summer tire available in this size at the moment, but at $191 a pop w/ an expected tread life around 10-12K miles if I'm lucky, I'm really hoping there are some alternatives out there that I'm overlooking. I loved the Falken Azenis Sports ST 112s I had on my R32, but given that the new Azenis Sports aren't available in this size yet and the fear of hydroplaning hazard running these on a FWD drive car (we can get some crazy down pours around here from time to time), I've sorta counted these out of the running.

3) Where to buy the Panasports and what's a good price? The cheapest place I've seen on the web is Seven Enterprises for $275 a piece. Anyone dealt with these guys before? Is this a somewhat decent price? Anyone know of a better place to buy them?

Thanks in advance.

 

16x7 Panasports are ET40 and weigh about 17lb.

Spruell Motorsport in GA sold them in 2003 for $208 apiece plus shipping.

 

I was looking at Panasports seriously a while ago. As I recall they were an offset of 40 and weighed 18 lbs. I called the Panasport number from their website and they gave me the number for a distributor in Michigan. The price was $270 and shipping was about $8 per tire to PA. I eventually went with Minilites from myminiparts.com. They're a 43 offset and 19 lbs. but gorgeous. I mounted 205/50/16 Goodyear F1GSD3's and you can't believe how much I want the weather to turn warm! Good luck in your wheel/tire quest.

 

To me those Panasports are just great looking. I have a set of 15's on my Miata. I got those from Moose motors for $175 each. While I love the look they are a bit on the porky side. I felt the difference once I bolted them up to my Miata. Miata's don't like porky wheel tire combo's.

One wheel that looks like the Minilite is the ASA JH6 for $169 16x7 42mm offset & 18 pounds at Tirerack.com.

 

Cool, Thanks for the info

I really like those Rewinds, it's too bad they don't make them in 16s.

 

Also note that the Panasports have a 56.1mm hub - no rings required. I bought from Seven Enterprises. Note, however, that the picture on their site is *not* what you will get. For the actual wheel see the Panasport web site.

Jim

 

Got my FS-16's with BFG KDW2 205/50-16s mounted from KAM Specialties in Reading, PA. Their number is 610-777-9702- ask for Bryner. Great guy to work with, and the price was better than anyplace else I found FS-16's listed.

They would have shipped them to me, but picking the wheels up myself gave me a good excuse for a day's motoring adventure through Lancaster County, and to visit the shop and meet the staff.

Apparently, they are offered with or without a polished lip, as I was asked to specify my preference when ordering.

Check my gallery for pix of our 03 with them installed.



(and other than being a satisfied customer, I have no affiliation with them)

 

Would anyone venture a guess if I'd run into rubbing issues on stock springs w/ the 225/45/16 tires?

I will probably wind up doing the Koni FSDs and a rear sway bar at some point in the future but don't think I'd want to lower it. From what I've read here it seems like the 225s should fit ok, but I would rather not get into cutting or banging out the fenders.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

The Panasports really do look great

 

Just passing along what Alex at Tirerack told me - the 225s are too wide. I'm sure with enough work and $ for other suspension upgrades you fit them on, but it doesn't sound like this is what you're looking to do.

 

I also got my Panasports from KAM out in Reading, PA. I think I paid $189 each but at it's been so long that I forget the exact number.

There is a company now importing an Australian wheel called Superlites. They look to be identical to Panasports and they are available in sizes up to 16". I've been looking at getting some for my Spitfire and the prices seem to be equal to or better than for the Panasports.

The importer is out in AZ but told me shipping for four 13" wheels to NJ would be $60. Not too bad given the weight and bulk. Not sure they have a wheel to fit MINI's but worth looking into. The guy was very responsive to my emails. http://www.packracingproducts.com/ac..._Wheels_2.html

 

Let's see some pics!!!!

 

American Racing Silverstone T with Teflon.

I saw these advertised in this month's Grassroots Motorsports and was wondering if anybody's seen them.



They come in a 4x100 bolt pattern with a +42 offset (not sure if this will fit a MINI).

Unfortunately for me, they only come in a 15"x7" and a 17"x7". No 16"x7".

http://www.americanracing.com/wheels...loy&section=V#

If I go with 15"s, I'd rather get the Konig Rewinds.

I'd look into doing 17", but for some reason, this style of wheel needs more rubber on the side to carry on that traditional look that I love.

 

So I'd probably need to do camber plates/adjustable control arms or start cutting stuff to fit 225s? These are things that I might consider throwing in when I did the shocks and bar if the bank account allowed it at the time, but this is probably at least 1-2 years in the future for me.

Looks like I'll have to start looking at 215/205 options out there then.

Thanks a bunch for the reality check

 

http://www.superlite-wheels.com/
Check here for the entire superlite line - Jersey girl is right, they're cool looking wheels - there is a guy in the Atl. Mini club running a set of their 2 piece wheels - they're mucho bux though

http://www.minilitewheels.com/ev2000.htm
these fit as well and look similar

 

These Superlites look like a good, (possibly) lower priced option to the Panasports, but I didn't see any in a 4x100 bolt pattern on that site. I guess I'd be looking at an adapter/spacer for these. I might have to drop them an email and see.

 

we are running the ASA JH6's on my wife's car in 16 x 7. Very happy with them. They also have a MINI specific bore and also come with center caps that accept the OEM MINI center cap from the 17" S-Lite wheel.

See my gallery for pics.

 

After much debate with my inner CFO, I decided to go with the silver 16x7 ASA JH6s w/ 205/50/16 Dunlop Sport Maxx from Alex @ Tirerack. As I am fiending to get off of these goofy Eagle run flats, I'm going to be taking a road trip to South Bend and get them mounted tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks a bunch for all the info and advice. I'll post some pics up to my gallery once I get a hold of a camera.

 

I'm a bit jealous of you. I wish I had the $$$ for those. Guess I'll keep saving. Post some pictures when you get home. You lucky dog.

 

Whichever wheel you slect, please post a picture. I would like to see a PS/B with either wheel.

Thanx, bob

 

Here you go, My '06 PS/B MCS with silver 16"x7" ASA JH6 and 205/50/16 Dunlop Sport Maxx.









There's maybe just a tad too much wheel gap for my tastes but I think this setup looks alot better on my MCS than my previous -1 treatment on the R32....

Got a chance to test out them out this afternoon, and this car is amazing with the new wheels and tires. Both ride quality and grip have increased dramatically with the new setup.

Couldn't be happier unless they made these wheels in a wacky 16.5"x7.5"

 

Wow those wheels look so darned good. You have one fine looking Cooper S there!

 

VERY NICE!!! I love that look.

 

Thank You

I think with a 10mm drop, chrome for the hatch handle, front turn signals and rear fog, a couple driving lamps, euro tail lights, and OE style bonnet and boot stripes, I may one day achieve my aesthetic ideal

 

that looks great - i think those rims would look good on almost any color.