December 5, 2006:

Different GP wheels

I love the design of the GP wheels - but 18″ is too big for winter here in New England, and doesn’t necessarily suit everyone either … check out the 17″ wheels that Teddy just put on his GP0179:

Teddy writes:
Just changed to a set of 17″ rims on my MINI GP; I am using Volk Racing CE28N 17×7.5 +43 with Advan A048 215/45/17 tires .It looks perfect, and with no rubbing; I can feel the car is faster because the rims are lighter (Rim weight 14.5lbs), but the worst thing is i need to take the rims to some machine shop to drill the nut holes bigger because the GP nuts are M14, and most of the aftermarker rims the nuts holes is M13

Also see discussion on this NAM thread or this MINI2 thread

Posted by GPMINI at 07:08 pm | Uncategorized
Comments: 10

  1. UBeenMiniD (2006/12/06 @ 12:39 am)

    Any machining of any wheel lugs … is a no no in my opinion.

    Guaranteed issues after that for the strength of the rim. Hope this guy doesn’t have autocrossing plans…

    However, this does look nice. Matches up well with the red mirror caps, red front calipers, and red rear springs.

    It looks like he lowered the car too. Not sure I’d go there with the GP coming low out of the box.

  2. twistybitz (2006/12/06 @ 9:34 am)

    Striking wheels for sure! Not a fan of changing out a speciality cars looks but too each his own and, I don’t have to deal with snow where I live. I have a short review of my ride in a GP at my blog. RB

  3. twistybitz (2006/12/06 @ 9:38 am)

    Cast products are tricky be careful.

  4. teddy (2006/12/07 @ 2:20 am)

    I understand your concern with compromising the strength of the wheels. However, I took the wheels to a CNC custom wheel shop ( i am not using a compact drill to drill the hole ), who has had many years experience with machining. The wheels were CNC machined to open the hole by less than 1mm, which is within the tolerances of the structure of the wheel. They would not machine the wheel beyond a safe amount,and the last thing ,my rims is forged not cast .
    Hopefully this clears up some confusion and concern

  5. Josh (2006/12/07 @ 7:30 am)

    Teddy, that looks pretty sweet! The wheels remind me of the #3 car. Just picked up GP1845 last night and will probably do something similar in the futre. Currently, the wife wants me to focus on her MCS for mods. Again, great looking car!

  6. twistybitz (2006/12/07 @ 11:17 am)

    I think you did the right thing with the CNC and cleared up some of my thoughts. Congrats, it’s sweet looking.

  7. twistybitz (2006/12/07 @ 11:19 am)

    I also have been thinking on this subject of why buy a “JUDGE”, let’s say, and change out it’s looks? I guess some buy for the performance of the car rather than the looks. Of course too each his own.

  8. GP 1543 (2006/12/07 @ 9:34 pm)

    I am have my eyes on a pair of 8 spoke mini wheels to change out for the winter. Will the lug size fit? I am also going down to the 17″ but only for the winter.

  9. Ian C. (2006/12/07 @ 10:07 pm)

    The 14mm bolts will fit all OEM MINI wheels

  10. GP 1543 Matt V. (2006/12/14 @ 9:48 pm)

    Thanks Ian, I just picked up a pair of the 8 spoke, gotta get those summer tires off, although today was almost 60 degrees

Post a comment:
  •  
  •  
  •