New MINI Wheels Coming for 2008

Sections: Accessories | JCW Oct 25th, 2007 18 Comments

Look for MINI to introduce three new sets of light-weight wheels designed specifically to work with the new (and larger) 2008 JCW Brake Kit we reported on yesterday.

The 17″ wheel will be MINI branded and engineered with low weight in mind. They will also be one of the few OEM 17″ wheels that will fit the new R56 JCW Brake Kit.

The other two wheels will both be 18″s and as you might guess, JCW branded. Like the 17″ MINI branded wheel, they will both be designed to work with the R56 JCW Brake Kit coming later in 2008. As with the 17″ wheels, we’re told the 18″s will be relatively light-weight in design. What that means in terms of lbs remains to be seen.

Worldwide release should happen in the first half of 2008.

Written By: Gabe

http://mini2.co.za timmee

Does this include the wheels seen on the MINI Challenge and Clubman Pace Car?
mike

I wonder what these will cost?

BTW, what’s up with the prices MINI charges for their wheels? I’m not afraid to pay for what I want, but I just can’t justify their wheel prices. Maybe it’s just one of those mental blocks but for me and there are enough people that don’t feel the way I do about the subject.
greg

I agree. I wanted the JCW R105 burnished spoke 18″(and got them). $2699 and will be $2950 in ’08! On my Cayman S I only paid $2200 for Porsche 19″ wheels!! And these were the most expensive offered that came with special performance tires.

I love my Mini and was a sucker to pay for what I wanted. However, it did leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Jon E

I agree that MINI is a bit too proud of their JCW wheels. I love the R105 wheels but will not be able to justify a purchase at almost $3000. There are some nice looking, excellent quality aftermarket alternatives available for less than half the cost that I will seriously consider.
mike

I got Konig BriteLite’s in silver for $520 for 4. They are very close to MINIs R105s that retail for $2699, they weigh almost 10lbs less and I won’t hate myself if (when) they get scratched.

Silly, I tell ya. Silly!

BTW, I’m fully aware that some of the options I have on my MINI are considered by some to be silly. Nav, Sirius, JCW anything… but, to each their own! right?
Alan Smithee

To add to timmee’s question above regarding the Challenge wheels…are these new 17s the 5-spoke wheels seen on the Clubman? I’m guessing they are.
pete

The Mugen Honda Si comes with 18′s that weigh 16 lbs each.

Do you think light like that?
fdavid

Mugen is a totally different beast in my opinion. I had a CRX will lots of mugen parts back in the 90′s (including the wheels and I still haven’t seen JCW pull anything close to the quality found in their japanese counterpart. I bet those wheels will weight close to 20 pounds at least!
http://mini2.co.za timmee

I’m talking about these wheels

And these ones
MiniMatt

Will these wheels and the JCW brake kit fit the R53 by any chance?
lavardera

I hope they do better on the designs. BMW consistently has good looking wheels offered for their cars. Mini has silly looking wheels for the most part. And there is too much bias towards larger diameter. They need some wider 16″ wheel options. They can do better. I’d even be happy if they just copied some of the BMW designs – at least they would look nice.
LannyMCS

The “new” wheel prices that we’ve seen in the last couple of months (for example $2900 for R105s) reflect the addition of the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor, which the ’06 and prior wheels did not have. It also reflects ROF tire technology, and keep in mind those are retail prices. My dealer sold me 4 R105s- wheels only- for around $1100 and I put Michelin PS2s on them and I’m under $2k. I love that they’re hubcentric, correct offset, and durable. Are they the best choice for a track wheel? – No, but I love them for the street.
Tom

The R105′s have been proven to be anything but durable. The slightest hint of salt and the lacquer peels off like butter on a hot knife.
Bilbo Baggins

Come on! We are talking manufacturers wheels here. How light do you expect them to be. If they are anywhere close to 20lbs I’d be shocked. We will be very lucky if they are under 25lbs.

JOHO
pete

Why cant manufacturer wheels be light?

You should see some of the wheels that came standard on hondas.

The new wheels on the civic type r weigh aout 19 pounds each..for 18′s.

http://www.gtmotoring.com/images/CTR-web/civicr-full1.jpg

these ones..and yes, those are factory brembos from honda.
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