Figure out your own priorities. That's what counts!

Style or appearance
vs
Function/performance
vs
weight
vs
Tires that fit and are useful
vs
cost: $$$

OZ Forgiata 17x7.5" rims are a closeout at tirerack.com for a mere $499 each down from $649 each retail. 13.8 pounds.

A very nice wheel indeed but not for those on a budget.

Other OZ wheels in 17" Chrono HT, Hydra, Michelangelo, Record, Superturismo weigh about 21 to 26 pounds each.
Ultraleggera is better at 16 pounds $265 each


vs a strong forged 15x7 rim like
Motegi Traklite 2.0 Black or silver with machined lip

$232 each 10 pounds +35mm offset.
Many of the 15" tires offer smaller outer tire diameter, lighter weights and lower prices than available for 17" rims that fit the MINI. Competition tires are much better in 15" sizes with less chance for rubbing.

 

Nah...i think 16s are probably the true comprimise. 17's still dont allow you much room to lower the overall diameter of the tire. With 16s and 15s you can lower the tire size which allows you to run a lowered car with wider tires without having rubbing issues, and it helps with the gearing for faster acceleration as well. Besides, with the proper tire size, the 16s can have as little sidewall as a 17 with stock sized tires...for that low-pro look that most people like.

 

Nope, just what I said...

But I don't know anyone that is running anything wider... except for some track-day cars that have 245's on them, but they have narrower wheel offsets and lots of missing body-work. I think my setup is as wide as you can go without some metal-work on the body panels!

If anyone knows different, send me a link, I'd love to see how they did it!

15's aren't for everyone, but I bought them because:
-The wheels are lighter
-The wheels are cheaper
-The tires are a LOT cheaper
-The ride is better
-There is less of a chance of damaging your nice new wheels (greater sidewalls)
-They are less likely to be stolen by some kid in a honda.
-They look 'right' on such a small car
-They will last longer (for many of the above reasons).

Anyway, I like doing everything differently and 15's are definitely NOT the way most people go, so I dig it.

ciao
RM2k5

 

About steering responce with 15s, I dont want to go with 205/55 because the tire would squish more than a 195/60 on the same width rim. It seems logical that if the sidewall is more vertical its stronger and has less squish. If the tire is "balloon like" (hanging over the rim) then the sidewall isnt being utilized effectivly and it has more squish.
This real life example helps prove my point: My car has on it now, 15x6.5 steel rims with 205/50/15 kumho summer tires. I have had on my car as well the 15x5.5 mini cooper holey rims with the 175/65/15 contis. The steering responce was better with the 175/65 than it is with the 205/50. Rubber wasnt an issue, the 205 tire was a kumho high performance summer tire, and the 175, those stock conti all seasons. The weight difference may have had something to do with it, but then again my heavy s-lights have superb handling. I feel it was the vertical sidewall that provided the responce, my experience has convinced me to at least try 195/60, or even 185/65 to better match the 6.5" rim width.

 

I'm running 205/55-15 Potenza RE-750 summer tires on holies. I love them. It has reduced the understeer, grip is unbelievable, ride wasn't hurt too bad and the speedo is only 3 mph over actual. I miss my MINI, it is turned sideways in the back of the garage, all tucked-in with a car cover and staying away from that bad road salt. I want spring.

 

They dont use salt on the roads here, however that means lots of flying rocks in the spring. Besides this is my only car, if they used salt I would still have to drive it.

About the speedometer error with 205/55/15 tires, it's 1.6% off. Im not a math major so correct me if im wrong but with a percent error, the faster your ground speed is, the more the speedometer gets off. So, at 5mph on the speedometer, you are really going 4.92mph. and at say 100mph, you are really going 98.4 mph.

 

hm, that is true! never thought about that. I use 205/60/15's on konig rewinds the all silver version. That gives me a 0.98% difference. Instead of shorter I am taller. I wish that the MCS's top gear was like a slightly higher gear than it is, so going smaller for me would be against what I would want.

 

My MC will only run with 15" holies and 175/65/15 contis.

Against popular opinion (that you can get something looking like a big bicycle tire on a MINI), I love the look and feel of these 15's!

Add to it the Minnesota snow, and I save the hassle of getting snow tires and rims. These baby's work great year round. Low weight, low cost, maximum fun!

Motor on.

 

I used 15" holies with OEM Contis as winter tires, and they were great. I also use the holies with Azenis in 205/50 as my summer tires, and I'm very happy with them -- good grip, decent ride, great price.

 

nah, the car is meant for 15's, mcs or otherwise. anything else is just for particular usage like for perfect road racing. 15's offer the most bounce over bumps with a strong grip. didnt the original mini have 10 inch wheels??

 

What brake upgrades will fit 15" wheels? More specifically Team Dynamics Pro race 1.2 15" wheels?

 

I would call george laurea at Opak Racing 516.847.0337

tell him your desires and he will tell you which wheels would work. Sometimes you dont have to spend a huge amount so long as you have as much knowledge as an old timer racing guy like George. He know about everything it seems from early 70's to now in terms of european and japanese racing and wheels/tires. He sells some alternatives to things on here..... ahem

The way I did it with him is that I had him put the tires and wheels together, had them balanced, all polished up and shiney, with all of the possible bolts and spacers and such. he does all of that included for a nice price. I havent had a better balance job done and a better tire/wheel combo ever.

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I get my TDR wheels straight from the US distributor. He gives me a better price then I can get anywhere else. But I would like to do a brake upgrade down the road, so I need to find out now what I can and can not do as far as brakes go.

 

Will a 205-55-15 tire rub? Why not use this size instead? Wouldn't it keep a smaller gap between the wheel and the wheel well?

 

works fine and yes, it's a better match to stock.

 

That's what size I just ordered. Bf Goodrich T/A KDW NT. $76 a tire and a $30 online coupon if you buy 4. Diameter is 24.1" the stock Dunlop runcraps are 24.2" in diameter. Now I just have to wait for the distibuter to find the wheels.

 

yup what he said^^

Reasons people dont run that size and instead, run 205/50

• less sidewall = better handling
• better gear ratio for acceleration
• lowers your car
• less sidewall looks better

 

I pick up my new wheels next Monday morning. I decided to go with Pro Race 1.0's instead of the 1.2's. The 1.0's have a lot more room for a bigger brake kit, which I would like to get in the future. So they will be black Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.0's, 15x7, 40 ET with BfGoodrich T/A KDW at 205/55x15 tires. I'll post pics when I get them on and let you know how they feel!!