The O.Z. Racing Superleggera, light, strong and aggressive. They’ve been a favorite wheel of mine for quite awhile. When I bought my MCS last year with the JCW wheels, they were the “other” choice I secretly lusted after. This year O.Z. introduced a new wheel that took the Superleggera to a new level. And at 16.8lbs, the 18″ Ultraleggera had my name written all over it. My rational was that, if I’m going to give up my beloved JCWs, I might as well go as light as I can.
I’ll have a full review of the wheels and my new Kumho ECSTA SPT’s in the coming weeks. But until then you can check out some photos of the new Ultraleggeras below.
[Update: Sold!] For those curious, my JCW 18″ wheels are still for sale but I’m guessing they’ll be going fast considering the price I’m offering them at. I’m having a hard time parting with them as I do love the way they look on my car. But alas the tirerack in my garage only has room for two sets of tires and with both winter sets currently there, it’s already full. Email me via the Contact at the top of the page if you’re interested. You can see detailed photos here. I will ship throughout the US if needed.
Once you launch the image viewer simply click the “N” button on your keyboard for next image or “P” for the previous image.
If you’re interested in the Ultraleggera for your MINI, you may want to act fast. After only a couple of months O.Z. is discontinuing the wheel in the 18″ MINI friendly size. I’m told it’s marketing related (whatever that means). Nevertheless if you’re interested follow the link below (you’ll be supporting MF by doing so):
Very nice look there Gabe, I am a fan of the same wheels too. When I picked up my MCS a few months ago I put a set on mine too. Though I do like the look of the JCW wheels I have to admit that the O.Z’s are a cut above.
Btw Gabe the link to the Tire Rack isn’t loading. You probably already know but just though I would point it out to you.
Motor on
Thanks guy – actually it loads fine here. However I’ve switched it from javascript to straight old html. That should take care of any issues.
Great choice Gabe. Those look <em>very</em> nice! They remind me of the split-spoke JCW wheels only a little leaner and more linear. Very cool and they just look awesome.
congrats!
Gabe,
The link is not loading for me. Firefox on MAC.
I like the look of those wheels, especially on your black MINI Gabe. Great pick!
BUT, (why does there always have to be a big BUT?), the one criticism about those wheels that I simply must bring up is how hard they must be to keep clean. The way that the spokes go beyond the inner rim lip means you can’t just swipe away the brake dust in one 18-inch circular motion; you’ve got to really get your fingers into the tiny corners around each spoke. (Where the spokes meet the outer rim edge, specifically).
I think the spokes continuing past the inner lip is aesthetically unneccessary, and makes cleaning the wheels much more difficult. You’ll have to let us know if you find that to be true in the coming weeks.
Some EBC Greenstuff pads would be a wise upgrade with those wheels for other MINI owners, knowing how much brake dust the stock pads generate.
>I think the spokes continuing past the inner lip is aesthetically unneccessary, and makes cleaning the wheels much more difficult. You’ll have to let us know if you find that to be true in the coming weeks.
Actually that’s one of the reasons I love this design and others such as the classic type 44s that the BMW 3 series used for years. It emphasizes the size and span of the wheels while also giving an impression of strenght and aggressiveness. With a professional wheel cleaning brush, cleaning shouldn’t be a hige concern. Granted they will be a little harder to clean than the R95s.
Great choice Gabe; perfect for your car 🙂
Great looking wheels Gabe … always liked OZ wheels myself … but a few BUT’s from me as well 🙂
I think the open design coupled with the 18″ size looks less agressive to me than the JCW’s … especially the rear wheels with the small rotors.
Personally I would have chose the 17″ version, less blingy, but would have been more agressive looking …
They look damn fine on your Black MCS though … !!!
These strike me as being OEM+ in the way they are similar to the 18″ R105’s. They look great on your MINI.
ok gabe – time for the jcw spoiler now – you’re allllmoooost there! ; )
Almost a wire-wheel look. Not shade-tree wheels, at all, tho! Gotta scrub, scrub, scrub. I was worried they might look too dub on such a small car, but they have a nice, clean, light appearance. Go great with black!
BCNU,
Rob in Dago
hi gabe,
how does the image pop-up work?
looks almost like flash.
great new feature.
That is one of my all time most favorite wheels…I had some Ronal R9’s for a long time on many of my VW’s….now rolling on Team Dynamics Pro Race 1’s because have a similar feel and style….the OZ’s still are up on the top of my list though.
I think they look fantastic!!
Nicely done. It appears that all my posts evangelizing the lightweight 18″ SLs as an alternative to the massive JCWs were not falling on deaf ears. 🙂 IMO, the UL design is a bit over the top versus the more “classic” SL, and the UL name has none of the great histotrical references of Superleggera. But, that said, they look sweet on your car. Bravissimo.
Love the new shoes!!!!…….but….err…….looks like you have more clerance than you local GAP!!!! (pun intended)
are these the 215-35-18 Ultraleggras?
I’m in the process of buying some now!!
You betcha! Just make sure that, if you’re buying from Tirerack, you’re getting the one listed at $265. That is the correct off-set for the MINI. Also you can support the site by buying via the Tirerack link above.
Gabe, they look great.
I am waiting for my MCS JCW with JCW Doublespocks, however, after reading reviews and comparing prices I think this is the best way to go. I am going to get the same set, if you don’t mind 🙂 Don’t worry, I am in California.
I am buying the set, since I am sure you’ve done a great research before going for them.
OK, I have them in shopping cart. So, for one- last time, should I place my order? 🙂
Thanks for your input!
make sure you get the ones with the correct offset 42 vs 38, otherwise you’ll have rubbing issues.
>make sure you get the ones with the correct offset 42 vs 38, otherwise you’ll have rubbing issues.
Yes, they’re the ones that are listed at $265.
the ultraleggeras look amazing, but admitedly i was hoping to see the superturismos. to me that’s THE classic OZ wheel and i still have a soft spot for them.
So, when are you going to have kids?
>Nicely done. It appears that all my posts evangelizing the lightweight 18″ SLs as an alternative to the massive JCWs were not falling on deaf ears. 🙂
Don’t recall but like I said, I’ve had a seriously lust going for the Superleggeras since I had my previous MINI.
>IMO, the UL design is a bit over the top versus the more “classic†SL, and the UL name has none of the great histotrical references of Superleggera.
I agree the Sperleggera has more <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superleggera" rel="nofollow">history</a> and a better ring to it. But I actually prefer the Ultraleggera design personally. Don’t get my wrong, I love the way the Superleggera look, I just really enjoy some of the design nuances that the Ultraleggeras introduce.
Gabe-
Great choice! They look fantastic! 😀
Superleggera >> Ultraleggera. What’s next, Xtremeleggera? 🙂
Uberleggera?
As I said in Part 1 of this, I am a little disapointed not to see some 13″ gold Daytons. They really seem to be right up your alley, judging from the photo on WWR of you in your “Thug Hat”.
All jokes aside, those OZ’s look amazing. Congrats.
Hey Gabe, I just placed my order, but couldn’t indicate MotoringFile anywhere on the TireRack, hope the browser recognized that I entered from motoringfile.com.
A TireRack rep just called me saying that I might have to do some modifications, so the tires fit inside the arches. Is that true?
Also, there is Required Centering Ring in my order. What’s that?
I actually ordered a set of 5, since the Ultraleggers are going to be discontinued.
Those look fantastic. Too bad Boston roads would destroy those in a hot second…..
i took me a sec to notice the wheels i was to busy looking at the houses in the back ground…. that seems like a posh place to live
>i took me a sec to notice the wheels i was to busy looking at the houses in the back ground…. that seems like a posh place to live
Yeah the north shore of Chicago is pretty nice. I was on <a href="http://bridger.us/Ultraleggera/DSC00241.jpg">this particular street</a> doing some “brick road testing” for the upcoming review. To bad about the McMansion on the left though.
>Those look fantastic. Too bad Boston roads would destroy those in a hot second…..
I don’t think Chicago roads are much different unfortunately. One of the reasons I went with O.Z. is that (according to the folks at Tirerack) to be fairly resistant to road damage.
>Hey Gabe, I just placed my order, but couldn’t indicate MotoringFile anywhere on the TireRack, hope the browser recognized that I entered from motoringfile.com.
All you have to do is click on the link above and buy the wheels. If you didn’t just give them a call and mention to them where you came from.
>I actually ordered a set of 5, since the Ultraleggers are going to be discontinued.
Good call. I’ll be ordering a 5th soon as well!
Sorry Gabe but the JCW 18″ wheels look far sexier. Ship them over to me so i can truly appreciate em.
<blockquote>So, when are you going to have kids?</blockquote>
His baby is in his garage. duh!
Yeah, its too bad about that McMansion in the background. I always shutter when I see one among the great historic homes in east Evanston.
Nice wheels btw
Yeah the houses on that street are nice! Actually the brick road kind of reminds me of Argentina.
hey gabe you touched on the wheels having the proper offset. could you please explain how this relates to choosing wheels for the mini.
I did check the tire track link and there were different offsets available for different size wheels
(17in vs 18in)
please clue me in someone anybody.
tight wheels by the by.
crap. a good idea’s a good idea. i may just have to follow suit and get a 5th for me as well.
Gabe – are those tires 215/35s? I’d love to hear your thoughts versus the OEM 205/40 runflats.
I’m considering going from 205/40 to 215/40 for my SL 18s. Little more grip, a little less “feedback” (which can be intense paired with the JCW suspension) and only slightly less torque to the ground.
>Gabe – are those tires 215/35s? I’d love to hear your thoughts versus the OEM 205/40 runflats.
Yes they are 215/40/18s
>I’m considering going from 205/40 to 215/40 for my SL 18s. Little more grip, a little less “feedback†(which can be intense paired with the JCW suspension) and only slightly less torque to the ground.
If there’s any less feedback with the wider tire, I haven’t felt it. Grip I can’t really say since they aren’t truly broken in yet. But generally I would expect more grip with similar feedback levels. In a week or two I should have some time to write through review of the change.
Tirerack recommended the 215/35s. Living on a road that doubled as a test track for the moon landing, I was a little concerned about the shrinking sidewall. However the ride quality immediately felt better. The usual death grip I give my steering wheel while heading home seems to have subsided.
Basically it comes down to what I’ve been preaching for years. If you want improved ride quality, better performance, and more cash in your pocket, dump your runflats. The great thing is that you do this with either OEM or aftermarket wheels.
I guesss I’ll just write my review in this comment section 🙂
gabe,
let me try again.
how does the image pop-up work?
great new feature.
thanks,
m
>how does the image pop-up work?
Javascript called <a href="http://www.huddletogether.com/projects/lightbox/" rel="nofollow">Lightbox</a>. I’ve been using it on all images for a few months now and so far so good.
>I do think I’m going to get 215/40s when these tires are done though. I wasn’t sure if the 40s would rub or not.
The folks at Tirerack recommended the 35s over the 40s due to rubbing.
<blockquote>If there’s any less feedback with the wider tire, I haven’t felt it.</blockquote>
Actually, I meant less feedback from the taller sidewall, 40 vs. 35. The extre height should soften the edges on the ride a bit. A wider tire will add “weight” to the steering, but that is not so much of an issue with the MINI’s servo-assisted system.
Nice Gabe! Good choice. I picked up a set of 18″ OZ Superturismo WRC’s last year. Love em. I’m running 215/35s on these Toronto roads which is pretty scary but i’ve hit a number of large potholes and haven’t had any problems. My only problem I had was a screw.
I do think I’m going to get 215/40s when these tires are done though. I wasn’t sure if the 40s would rub or not.
Let me know if they rub. I’m sure your running the 42mm offset.
Nice choice, better hood! If I had to live back there that would be my choice… Is that your crib on the left??? ;¬)
Both rims you have chosen are stellar! I’d like a set of the MC 40’s for my MCS.
Great choice Gabe. I recently put this same setup on my Cooper S. I wasn’t to sure about them at first (looked to big to me), but really like them now. I wish I had gone with a 215/40 instead of the 215/35 I chose.
Pretty tight Gabe. They really are sharp – they really add something to your MINI. Congrats and well done.
Wondering if the new rims have affected the ride in any way – the limited amount of time you’ve had them to gauge that is.
Did you treat them/do you have to treat them with any kind of polish, etc to limit brake dust from accumulating, etc? If yes, what do you recommend?
Nice looking rims but I do not think the significant other will let me spring for a third set of rims. I guess I will keep my R95s which still makes me smile everytime I see them. But I will be changing out the runflats though for those 215/40’s.
They look okay, but a real car guy would have gone for the 15s.
wowwwwwww
that’s hot.
Gabe – Great looking wheels, and look great against the black/black S. This was on my list, tough choice between these and the Superleggera, as well as Team Dynamics Pro Race. Some car I own sometime will have these spokey rally rims on ’em…
BTW if you’re running out of space on your rack, put the winters in these and hang them on the wall. It’s what I use for mine:
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/h8lle" rel="nofollow ugc">http://tinyurl.com/h8lle</a>
>Wondering if the new rims have affected the ride in any way – the limited amount of time you’ve had them to gauge that is.
<a herf="http://motoringfile.com/2006/06/26/mini-oem-vs-aftermarket-wheels-part-2/#comment-42750" rel="nofollow">Read this comment from earlier today</a>.
>Did you treat them/do you have to treat them with any kind of polish, etc to limit brake dust from accumulating, etc? If yes, what do you recommend?
Yes. I used (and highly recommend) Zymol’s detailing wax which can be bought from MotoringFile sponsor, <a href="http://detailingconcepts.com/store/product/15" rel="nofollow">Detailing Concepts</a>.
So a 215/35-18 is a smaller diameter tire than the OEM 205/40-18. 215/35 is about 8% shorter. A 215/40 is only 5% taller. Check it out here:
<a href="http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html</a>
I think Tirerack defaults to recommending diameters that are no taller then stock to avoid any possible issues. I’m assuming a 215/40-18 with 42mm offset should be ok.
Here’s another link that shows the wheel diameter sizing in regards to common MINI sizes: <a href="http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_wheels_tyres#faq_faq_factory_wheels
">MINI2 FAQ</a>
However it only shows combos that are relatively close to OEM sizing and how they related to what comes on the car from the factory. The 215/35/18 is almost identical to the stock 15″ size on the Cooper in regards to overall diameter. This and relatively little rubbing issues are why Tirerack recommends them.
215/40/18 should work (and give you a little more protection) but I’d be interested in hearing what sort of rubbing issues people may be having with them (if any).
Shows off the front brakes well.
Can’t wait to hear a review on the Ecsta SPT’s as i am considering buying a set of either these or BFG g-force sport within the next couple of weeks!
<blockquote>The 215/35/18 is almost identical to the stock 15″ size on the Cooper in regards to overall diameter.</blockquote>
True, but 215/35 is a good bit smaller than the OEM 16″, 17″ and 18″ sizes for the S. More than 1/2″ shorter than what you were running with the JCWs and 205/40-18s. Hence the reference to a certain low-end clothing retailer by alpha-6 above. 😉
Just for the record :
The 18’s on the GP weigh in at 19.8414 lbs
thats 9 kilogrammes for those of you reading this in French or Italian
They’re horrible. We don’t like them. They’re ugly. We are not jealous. No. We’re not.
How much weight have you dropped per wheel, including the new tires -vs- the old wheels/tires?
>How much weight have you dropped per wheel, including the new tires -vs- the old wheels/tires?
The tires are about the same: Dunlops/21lbs vs Kumhos/20lbs. <em>BTW someone over at MINI2 should seriously consider updating their FAQ! The weights they list are very much out of date. The runflats tires supplied with the MINI have decreased in weight substancially over the last few years.</em>
I’ve seen the JCW wheels on scale at 22lbs and change – we’ll call it 22.5lbs. I haven’t actually weighted my Ultraleggeras yet but they are listed at 16.8lbs. So you’re talking roughly 8lbs of a difference (with both wheels and tire factored in) at each corner. Certainly an improvement but it’s not like I’m coming from S-lites.
Is 21 or 22 lbs for a tire considered good? Considered heavy? What is considered amazingly light?
Same with wheels – what is considered exceptionally light?
Then, at what dollar cost would something like that go for? If these questions are even realistic.
The TireRack display ads in Grassroots Motorsport (GRM)
show wheel weights. 15 lbs per wheel would be
relatively light for such a big wheel.
<blockquote><em>BTW someone over at MINI2 should seriously consider updating their FAQ! The weights they list are very much out of date. The runflats tires supplied with the MINI have decreased in weight substancially over the last few years.
</em></blockquote>
I beg your pardon …
The only runflat tire in the FAQ which exceeds the weight listed at the Tire Rack is that of 205/40-18 Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST, whose 27 lb weight was quoted by the manufacturer.
the wheels look great. i was considering them my self. i found a deal on another wheel on closeout. enkei rp02. $75.00 a wheel. 15.4 lbs. mounted with 215/45/17 hankook rs2. the stock wheels and tires ( 16’s v- spoke?) on the digital bathroom scale were 41lbs. the new wheels came in about 38lbs. not much of a weight savings. but the 5 spokes are much easier to clean. i have hears that for every 1 pound of unsprung weight on the wheels is equal to 8 pounds of static weight. is that true???
>I beg your pardon …
>The only runflat tire in the FAQ which exceeds the weight listed at the Tire Rack is that of 205/40-18 Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST, whose 27 lb weight was quoted by the manufacturer.
Sorry I didn’t mean to downgrade the effort that is takes to maintain the MINI2 FAQ. I send countless people over there all the time and look at it as one of the must have bookmarks in the MINI world.
>15 lbs per wheel would be relatively light for such a big wheel.
15lbs would be incredibly light for an 18″ wheels – there’s only a couple that I know of. For a 16 or 17 that number is more common. For an 18 it’s generally hard to find anything under 18-19lbs.
<blockquote>15lbs would be incredibly light for an 18″ wheels. for a 16 or 17 that number makes sense. for an 18 it’s hard to find anything under 18-19lbs.</blockquote>
Centerline RPM in 18×7 weighs in at just under 15 lbs. This is a forged wheel at ~$300 a pop. I ran these for a while. A very nice bit of kit.
<blockquote>Sorry I didn’t mean to downgrade the effort that is takes to maintain the MINI2 FAQ.
</blockquote>
No worries …
Just called Dunlop to double check weight on Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST. This time I was quoted 21.6lb. FAQ updated.
>Just called Dunlop to double check weight on Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST. This time I was quoted 21.6lb. FAQ updated.
Well done!
I like the badge better than the wheels 😉
(MINI2 Germany members have ordered another 40 or so badges via RudyT)
Gabe,
I was wondering about the center cap. How secure are they? A friend has Koing Rewinds and lost 3 out of the 4 center caps at the dragon this year.
>I was wondering about the center cap. How secure are they? A friend has Koing Rewinds and lost 3 out of the 4 center caps at the dragon this year.
As secure as the stock ones on my s-lites.
>True, but 215/35 is a good bit smaller than the OEM 16″, 17″ and 18″ sizes for the S. More than 1/2″ shorter than what you were running with the JCWs and 205/40-18s. Hence the reference to a certain low-end clothing retailer by alpha-6 above. 😉
Worth noting; my 205/40/18s rubbed in the front. Nothing terrible and obviously something MINI lived with when engineering the steering stop but enough to push me in the direction of the 35s.
Excellent Choice, although I prefer the 17″ in graphite, lighter and easier to keep looking clean…
<a href="http://www.momentumphoto.net/events/bmw/06may/sat/1055d/images/BMW06_BIR05_300.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.momentumphoto.net/events/bmw/06may/sat/1055d/images/BMW06_BIR05_300.jpg</a>
Sorry I don’t have a “sitting still” picture, but this just proves that they look good going fast on the track also…
T