I have a 09 Cooper with stock 15-inch wheels. The tire selection is very limited. Would like to move to a 16" wheel. Any recommendations and/or things to think about?

 

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Since you won't be seeing any snow or frigid weather, I suggest a set of
Enkei Racing PF01 or RPR1 16x7 wheels (+43mm offset, about 14# - semi-forged - strong and light),
and Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tires in 205/50/16 from Tire Rack.

If you want to get a truly forged wheel, the Volk CE28N wheels would be great, but they're
about $200 more each (16x7 +42et), and you'll have to look around
a bit to find some.

 

Holy Smokes! I was thinking something more pedestrian, but mine eyes now see...

Wife thanks you, too.

 

Although Volks are out of almost everyones price range, I thought I'd add that Volk now makes a stronger but slightly heavier cousin to the CE28N, the RE30. Looks similar, but +40et instead of +42.
Here's a link.
http://www.upgrademotoring.com/wheel...acing/re30.htm

 

Cristo, given that you're the only one to offer advice, you're a hero. And a nice racing rim is a wonderful thing. At $600/ea. that's a good thing to be.

Wife is grinning. "Volk" (people in German) for the majority that can't afford them.

 

postings of mine from another thread, that apply to your inquiry:

I recently bought a second set of rims (OZ Allegerittas 16x7 in Anthracite) and wrapped them w/ Continental ExtremeContact DW's 205/55ZR16. BIG difference in ride and handling. And the price for those tyres isn't that bad either.. less than $100 per, for a Z rated tyre.

Here's the pic I took after I installed them on Branwen. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...2&id=667780938

they are a lot easier to handle (cleanliness wise) than the stock White Bridgespokes... http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...b&id=667780938

According to my order history on Tirerack... $1456 was the item total +$88 for shipping. $1544 out-of-pocket. All I had to do was reomve the old ones and install the new ones; they came mounted and balanced at no charge. Although, I did have to wait almost a month for them to arrive because of the backorder on the centering rings from OZ... but it was worth the wait!

 

Like 'cristo' I have to recommend the Enkei RPF1's. They are a very light, 13.8 lbs, strong wheel.

I went from stock wheels and non-runflats to 16 inch RPF1's with Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2's in 205/50/16 and could not be happier.
They're over 11 lbs. less per wheel and tire than before and the result is a better and more controlled ride.

Hope this helps...

 

the OZ's are only 13.4lbs

 

 

The O.Z.'s are nice and light, and a little stronger than the average cast
wheel of the same weight, and they look good, but the offset they're offered in (+37) is just a little lower than what I'd prefer.

 

They've got'em in a 42 offset which is what I got.

 

Wow, the 42 offset ones eluded my first look. I didn't notice the drop down menu
that lets you choose the 42 offset 16x7 instead of the 37 ones that are initially displayed
... and the 42 ones are 0.2 # lighter.

 

When I was about to place my own order on the 16" OZ Allegerittas, I was also unsure whether to go +42 or +37 offset. I took the plunge and went with +37 since another member who got the same wheels said +37 gives the wheels a more flush look to the wheel arches. And I do agree that it really looks much better than how the oem wheels looked at stock +48 offset.

 

I love my OZ's. Made a huge difference in the car's handling. Check my gallery for pix if you're interested in how they look. My S has the new Enkei RPF 1's and I like them very much as well. Strong and light for the track.

 

@darmog - what size tires are you running on those rims. from the pics it looks like the rims are 17's.

 

I'm running 205/50-16. Those Star Specs prob had about 12k miles on them at that point when I took the pic. Think it'll last me till about 16-18k from the looks of it.