Anyone know anything about these wheels? Do they have a good or bad reputation? Anything to speak of? Heresay, even? Thanks!!!

Marty

 

Which one specifically were you thinking about? What are your goals for wheels- what use? Are you going to lower your MINI? If so by what modification? All these would be things to consider with any wheel upgrade.

 

well, I have H&Rs w/adj. control arms currently. the reason for posting is that I saw a set of ALT wheels with almost new Yokos for sale locally on a lawn, dirt cheap. they were all devoid of curb rash and were in good shape.
my plan is this:

get a lightweight set of 15's (like Kosei TS, which even at 38mm offset should work with 205/50s on my car as per Alex@Tirerack's suggestion) and either Kumhos or Falken Azenis. Unfortunately, I can't afford this set-up until at the earliest this fall (saving $$$ for wedding ), but would like to start tracking the car with better tires. As it stands, my stock 16" run-flats are the limit of my handling capabilities with the current set-up. Also, because I put a lot of miles on the car as it's a daily driver, I need to keep its daily-driving tires in decent shape. The solution to the immediate situation, in my mind, is to get a decent set of wheels with EXPENDABLE tires so I can learn to drive the car harder without sacrificing the run-flats.

Like ABBA said, "Money, money money - It's a rich man's world" And I'm just making ends meet

Marty

 

Marty,
OK, this helps. ALT isn't a brand we see alot of because the many NAM sponsors that sell wheels don't carry that brand. Here is a site that lists the various models- http://www.altwheels.com/products.htm
The choices are very similar to the european style rims we often see.

It looks like ALT is OK, maybe not a premium brand. Not sure on the fitments and offsets. That's the biggest problem is making sure that it will do ok. It's easy enough to check for rim size and bolt pattern but for you with H&R springs I'd watch the offset and aim for 40mm if possible. If alex@tirerack said OK to +38mm then fine.

15x6 to 15x7" rims will work with Falken Azenis Sport for autocross or track.
For your MCS it isn't legal to run autocross in stock classes with 15" rims. 15" wheels are fine for the track or in modified classes of SCCA solo II. Another cheap option is to find stock 7 hole MINI rims which are 12 pounds each in 15x5.5" size and put the 205/50-15 tires of your choice on them. You'd need a performance wheel specialist to mount and balance the wheels but they will fit and be cheaper plus the rims have resale value later since they make very good autocross wheels for the MC or for a Street mod MCS.

 

Alt wheels are about the same quality of ADR wheels. Made somewhere in
China and enamel sprayed with clearcoat. The paint chips pretty easily if
you encounter a lot of pebbles on the roads.

They look good though...for dressup, I think they'll work.

 

believe me, I've been doing my homework re: wheels/tires. while I'd love to do SSR Comps, they're a little out of my range.


Also my car isn't legal to run in any stock class in SCCA. So I'm not in the least bit concerned with going to 15". I know it's possible to put 205s on the holeys, but at 5.5" wide that doesn't inspire confidence here... Still, there will be more options forthcoming, I'll just have to check out the offset of the ALTs. They're an open six-spoke design which will make them MUCH easier to clean than my X-lites. But they're white, which doesn't go particularly well with my IB/IB car, and they'll look mighty dirty. Maybe I'll have to do EBCs with 'em!

Thanks for the input, from all sides!

Marty

 

marty- did you ever check out the Monza's or whatever replica SSR's?

They call it SHR or something?


Bisch has them and they actually look pretty cool.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&page=16&pp=25

 

www.nzowheels.com

 

mmmm. 15's? nice! I saw those on Bisch's car in another thread. kosei ts in 15x7" are 10.6 lbs. pretty sick for $149 apiece. but yeah that 38mm o/s might be the buzzkill.

marty

 

yah, Bisch!


Marty- but the Monda 15's in silver are $105 each for 4x100!

can't be that. blacks are $115each.

http://www.nzowheels.com/monza.html

Those wheels look kick butt. :smile:

 

Marty,

I've got 16" ALT wheels for my everyday around town wheels, and I love 'em.

I don't race (but saved my XLites just in case) so I can only attest that these are doing fine for me with spirited driving--bought 'em at a deal (old, unpopular style) and for looks, but no complaints on the driveability.
My only complaint is that I had to use hubrings (?right term) to fit my hubs....at first I had a little shimmy, but with hub rings no problem. I wouldn't want to race with this setup, but I don't have any problems cruising fast and hard around town like this...

If you can get a great deal, go for it; get your racing wheels later when you can.