Stuck for choice on alloys

[Livia329]

Please excuse my dirty mini, I took a liking to driving down country lanes in the rain

I currently have the usual 15" 8 spoke alloys but I need an upgrade as they're just too 'cute' looking for my taste. I'm stuck for choice and don't know whether to go with chrome or black w/ chrome lip. I really like the dotz (no. 5) BUT they show a lot as the spokes are so small and my mini is 7 years old. I'm thinking of painting the calipers sometime though...

He's a pretty poor mock up I did quickly to show myself what they'd look like, which would you pick. Ignore number 6 by the way. Maybe you have better suggestions for me?



I'm on a budget as I have a lot more I'd like to do on the car, so don't want to spend over £625-ish (with tyres; i know budget tyres but oh well I can put aside money for better ones once I've done everything else).

Thanks...

[M.O.S]

If you want a really honest opinion I'd go for none of them. The polished lip will corrode in winter, then you'll be left with either wheels which look tacky, or a bill for new wheels.

If you're going to go after market, I'd always look for ones that have just a standard paint finish, then should the finish become damaged you can have them refurbished at a comparatively low price.

[Livia329]

Thanks for the info M.O.S

[Clothesrack04]

If I was going to pick i would go for the alloys on picture 4!

However, I feel you can ask for the advice of others, but it won't be your personal choice. Whatever you pick there will always be someone who doesn't like them. So when asking which alloys to have I think it's only you that can decide as it's your car and it's you that has to look at them everyday. Mini's are very personal, so make the Mini your own and not buy cos everyone else has those alloys and like them!

hope that helps a little!

[Livia329]

Thanks Clothesrack
Your completely right but I'm just so stuck for choice there's more I like than what's shown as well, also was wondering about no.5 with the spaces between the spokes. Wish I could stick each one on my car for 10 mins to view properly and decide .

[arorat]

Quote: Originally Posted by Livia329 (original)

Thanks Clothesrack
Your completely right but I'm just so stuck for choice there's more I like than what's shown as well, also was wondering about no.5 with the spaces between the spokes. Wish I could stick each one on my car for 10 mins to view properly and decide .

Out of all no 5 is good, but consider the aftercare and tyre costs, It may not be worth it, especially if the wheels make the car steal-able !!

[M.O.S]

Also don't forget that big wheels with tiny brakes look silly... Have you considered any other choices? As has been said, tyres on them wheels are going to be expensive!

[Livia329]

Thanks for the replies, but I hit a brick wall...

...I was about to buy some ones I found, which isn't on the images up there and I rang the insurance company just before and they said if I change my wheels my insurance will be invalid. Good job I rang up before I bought them! With Direct Line & Churchill you have to be 25+ to make any mods to your car. I'm guessing there mods which affect the vehicle itself and not purely cosmetic but not too sure, they weren't specific.

Anyways I was completely p*ssed off... obviously. I bought the mini knowing I would be doing quite a bit of work to it to make it 'mine' but now that's been messed up other than some minor changes to mirror backs, etc. Not sure what I'm going to do yet, maybe look for a new insurance once i pass [L] or wait till I have to renew in May Will end up paying more each way. £1100 right now, and looking at £1300 with an insurer who allows mod's. Anyone under 25 and with an insurance who allows it? Let me know who you're with please.

MOS 17" isn't that much of a change is it for the brakes from 15"? Not too worried about the tyre costs, I don't do major millage and once I get to change the alloys I will buy premium tyres to last me quite a while, 2-3 yrs on my millage apparently (been shopping around lately for a little research ). What other choices would there be?

[Kitis_1989]

I'm with admiral, i am pretty sure they allow modifications....

[adam_Randell]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

If you want a really honest opinion I'd go for none of them. The polished lip will corrode in winter,

not unless they are stainless steel like mine

i like 3 and 4....

[Cooper_Red]

I really like four and five. Dont suppose they do number four in white? Im looking for some alloys too and im with direct line! I wouldnt think twice about just buying the alloys anyway, I had no idea you had to be over 25. Im 20 and I wouldnt have even thought to ring them up and let them know Ive put alloys on the car. Dont have to tell them

[Livia329]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kitis_1989 (original)

I'm with admiral, i am pretty sure they allow modifications....

Thanks I was looking at them for £1300

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper_Red (original)

I really like four and five. Dont suppose they do number four in white? Im looking for some alloys too and im with direct line! I wouldnt think twice about just buying the alloys anyway, I had no idea you had to be over 25. Im 20 and I wouldnt have even thought to ring them up and let them know Ive put alloys on the car. Dont have to tell them

They do indeed have a look at them here Are you changing the wheel size though? Apparently they know the original wheel size and it would be obvious if they checked it out if you ever crashed. I kinda wish I hadn't thought of it... but then again I would be miffed if I crashed and got a big fat £0.

[Cooper_Red]

Yeah i wanted to get 17"s, thanks for the link! I guess you just run the risk of not getting the money back on them with your insurer! When you do choose and get your new wheels on make sure you put a pic up!

[Livia329]

No problem.
I wish that's what would happen but no they said that it would completely invalidate my insurance meaning they wouldn't pay for anything so I'd be pretty stuck & need a car so I think Admiral is a possibility when I renew. Hopefully my price will be brought down slightly too even though I'll be 19... that's if I don't crash .

[M.O.S]

There will be a big difference - about a 2.5inch gap on the front instead of .5 and the rear will be even worse!

I'd strongly advise you avoid splashing out on wheels until you've passed and had some experience! Last thing you want is to spend a few hundred on wheels that, in 6 months, will have kerbing all over and look terrible!