This is my MINI right now,


I am looking at getting new wheels. I have to in mind and they are the same price $259.00 a wheel but, different sizes.
1st is the NM Engineering RS205 17x7.5 that weighs 16lbs each.


Or

Enkei RPF1 in 16x8 which weigh 16lbs each.


I am going to be putting KW V2 coilovers on it so it will be lower.

 

You're in the exact same boat I'm in right now. NM engineering wheels you can use your stock mini centercap or use the sticker over "NM" logo. NM wheels come in 17x7.5 where the RPF-1 4x100 only comes in 17x7. Both weight the same for the 17 inch wheel. The RPF-1 centercaps cost 25 dollars a piece. The spokes on the NM wheels come closer to the edge where the rpf-1 wheel has different offset depending on the width(the 17x7 inch rpf-1 wheel almost looks like a 16 inch wheel by the time your eyes move pass the lip levels. You will get the "bubble face" rpf-1 unless you go 9 inches wide. Once the rpf-1 is 9 inches or wider it becomes a completely different wheel. NM wheels are backed by neuspeed. Enkei and Neuspeed have both been around a long time and aren't a random pop up company. NM wheels are designed for the mini specifically and will cater to larger aftermarket brakes with no spacers needed. I'm not sure if the rpf-1 and a 17x7 wheel would need spacers for bigger brakes. In my opinion the NM engineering wheel is the better of the two. AND if you decide to get it in different colors it's the same price where with the rpf-1 colors cost extra as well and the bubble face rpf-1 on a mini cooper doesn't look so hot compared to the NM wheel.

In fact the wheel you have pictured is not the one you would be recieving. You would be buying the first picture I posted:

enkei rpf1 less than 9 inches wide-


enkei rpf1 9 inches wide or greater-

 

Of the two I would chose the rpf1s.

Have you considered Team Dynamics or Compomotive?

Compomotive is a little more expensive but not much.

 

No these are the 2 I have decided between. I also am considering the RPF1 in 16x8 not 9in wide. Plus I went to Neuspeed shop here Cali yesterday and looked at the NM wheels in person. I really like them. I just wish they came in 16s.

 

16's look cool if you're going for that hella flush replacing oil pans and axles look. either that or some huge profile all season tire

 

I like the RPF1s, we have those as our track wheels.

Like this:

 

If the wheel choice is a possible toss up, I always look first at what tires and sizes would fit on either wheel especially since one is 16" and the other 17".

What suspension are you using? Any plans on lowering?

What kind of roads do you have? Smooth or potholed?
How many miles do you drive per year? How aggressively do you drive?
Will the tires be used in any cold weather or light snow?

Not all tires are found in various sizes. Performance oriented tires are easier to find in 17" sizes but lower sidewalls give stiffer and rough ride on bumpy roads. If you have bad roads to commute on the 16" wheels will give you vastly better choices in tires and in sizes that will be easy to live with.

If you have any colder weather you will need all season tires so look at Ultra High Performance All Season tire class for any choices.

Tires make a world of difference, no sense making a decision on wheels without first looking at what will fit and suit your driving needs.

When I make a choice of wheel/tires I always look first for tires, choose a tire size then look for wheels to fit.

 

I am currently on NM springs and Koni Yellows but I'm going lower with KW V2s, no snow as this is SoCal and the roads are okay. I will be some track time and time and I don't really spend a lot of time on the road anyway because II have a BMW to take care of all my stuff during the week.

 

Given that information (what about budget?)

I would suggest the following choices-

RS205 wheel and
Michelin Pilot Super Sport in 205/45-17 ($186 each) which fits your wheel and gives you more clearance for a drop on KW V2 coilovers. If you don't mind adjusting ride height to fit your tires you can also consider 215/45-17 which is slightly taller than OEM tires but are less expensive at $160 each.
Treadwear is 300.

The Pilot Super sport does not come in any sizes for 16" wheels and it is the flagship performance tire for Michelin suitable for street and for some track use.

On the other hand if you must have a 16x8 wheel then tire would be-
Max Summer tires:
Bridgestone Potenza S-04 280 treadwear
205/55-16 $134 each, would be a bit of a stretch on 8" wide rims but OK.
Tire diameter is tall at 24.9" but will be slightly less tall with this rim.
Continental ExtremeContact DW
225/50-16 $108 each, 340 treadwear, 24.9" tire diameter

Of if you don't mind faster tire wear and more grip-
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 180 treadwear
225/45-16 $214 each, 24.7" tire diameter, 25 lbs
225/50-16 $178 each, 27 lbs
BF Goodrich g-Force Rival
225/50-16 $143 each, 200 treadwear, 23 lbs
Dunlop Direzza II
225/50-16 $145 each, 200 treadwear, 24 lbs
Hankook Ventus RS-3
225/50-16 $123 each, 140 treadwear, 25 lbs
Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08
225/50-16 $173 each, 180 treadwear, 23 lbs

 

Porthos, between the two wheels you put up, I personally like the NM's IF the were black kinda like these. I just like the design.

 

?

Conveniently NM makes those wheels in black but, I am not a fan of black wheels. They would end up getting sucked into the car and you wouldn't be able to see them.

 

If it's the L@@K you are wanting you can find out what wheels will look best on your car by going to...wheelsnext.com, you can upload a profile pic. of your MINI then plug and play with many different wheels.

It is how I found the wheels for Molly and I think she looks great, even though my Husband didn't like how they looked in just a pic., once he saw them "on" Molly he changed his tune!!

Note: Never mind, they are "Out of Business", guess they had issues with Customer Service as well as product issues??!!

 

Yeah Wheels Next has always had problems. Also no I am not getting these for looks. I am getting lightweight wheels to increase some performance.