10 replies to this topic

[itguy]

Hi Everyone

We've got a standard 1998 Mpi cooper (non sportspack) and we're thinking about fitting some 13x7 ultralite deep dish wheels with the sportspack arches.

Does this make the car drive significantly different in any way?

We're happy with how the car is at the moment but just want the fatter, better look of the 13 deep dish wheels...

Cheers

[minisilverbullet]

lots of info on this, how you will need to trim the wings first etc etc, and how the big wheels will play havoc with the suspension components especially wheel bearings.

I have 13 X 7, and the car is a different beast , from when i have my 12 x 5 winter wheels.

In general
- the car wont corner as well
- aqua plane in the wet
- pull in whatever way but straight if the road isnt completely flat - IE, if the road is worn, to the extent it has a ridge in the middle, your car will be all over the shop.
- great exercise for the arms when it comes to parking.
- the car will still handle better than most others.

the wide wheels do look good though

[mike.]

When I changed from 12x6 to 13x7 the main things I noticed were much better grip, car felt like it rolled less. Also the car gripped much better under braking.

I only noticed tram lining on one particular stretch of road which is very badly worn and sunk by lorries etc and even then I only felt it under braking really; apart from that I don't get it. Aquaplaning i've never experienced with my 13x7's either, but if your driving safely for the conditions then I don't see why you would really - If your steering about at high speed over a stretch of standing water your asking for trouble anyway.

Steering is pretty heavy at parking speeds, but nothing major I don't think. The ride was abit harder with the 13's obviously because theres less tyre to soak up bumps - But its the same with any cars thats being made 'sportier' with low profile tyres.

Also when people say 13x7's eat bearings/balljoints - I'm yet to see any evidence of this. If your suspension is kept well serviced with balljoints recently replaced or at least checked, reshimmed and regreased - i've not noticed any rapid wear of mine. Wheel bearings aren't that expencive to replace and I'd recommend changing them if you can just for piece of mind. I think when people say 13x7s destroy bearings and things its probably more down to people just slapping big heavy wheels on 20 year old standard suspension thats not been serviced or looked after and expecting it to cope.

[HARBER07]

Best reply I've seen to a 13" wheel thread

[Darkscamp]

I would advise uprating your shocks to a set of Gaz or the equivilent. They will deal alot better with the slight increase in harshness, and with them fitted, you'll probably find the ride more comfortable. They also come with different settings for ride stiffness, which means you will be able to fine tune your ride comfort. Although mike. states they dont eat suspension components, they do increase the load on some of them, which the new shock will help them cope with.

Edited by Darkscamp, 01 September 2010 - 10:56 PM.

[minisilverbullet]

Aquaplaning i've never experienced with my 13x7's either, but if your driving safely for the conditions then I don't see why you would really - If your steering about at high speed over a stretch of standing water your asking for trouble anyway.

In my experience, its normally on the motor ways (after or during rain), and the rain collects in th channels created by trucks etc. When its raining, I go the long way round to work, avoiding the motorways.

I am with you on the, wheel bearing scare mungering though

[monkeymonk]

I usually have 13x7s but i'm getting them refurbished and i'm running on my spare 12x5s. There is a big difference, i feel much safer with the 13x7s and they look nicer. The only plus i've come up with for the smaller wheels, are they make the car feel more nippy.

[jkjaxor]

i used to have standard steel 12s but changed them to a set of 13x7s, not big dish ones as they just come out form under standard arches,
i can say that they feel alot grippyer, and when the geometry is set up and in good condition make it run straight as anything.
the wheel bearing problem i havnt found, and neither the ball joint problem,
as said before i think the real truth behind all the "13x7 wheels will break your car" stories is people trying to go the cheep way and chucking wheels on and not sorting worn components out before hand,
jack

[DoubleHB176]

I had 13x7's on my car, and found that the components that wore out quickly were the track rod ends, not the bearings co much. The other trouble I had was a tendancy to spin the inside wheel when cornering. Oh, and, massive aquaplaning over 50mph in the rain !
Not wishing to open that old can of worms, but I swapped to some 6x10s and the car felt 100 times better, aulthough doesn't look quite so smart. A sacrafice I can make !

[miniallsort]

13S FTW

[shnevpayne]

I would have to say you certainly notice big differences when changing to chunky monkey wheels.

I remember my mums mini was on standard 12x4.5 minilites just after the suspension had been changed on both hers and mine. Mums felt unsafe, and well leaned very heavily round corners and did not grip as well. The top speed was certainly greater but it just didnt feel right. Once it had settled down after a few 100 miles it was better but still felt a little uneasy!

After mine had been done with all the suspension replaced, new balls... etc, it was a pleasure to drive, it handled like a dream around corners, and felt very solid and safe. I wasn't too worried that I would look like i'd been down the gym every day after work (especially as i had a 10" steering wheel (d'oh)) it was quite hard to parallel park but your arms soon get used to it. I don't know of this ball joint wearing mellarchy, but as said above, if set correctly, and maintained well you shouldn't get anymore wear n tear than any other joints.

The fact that mine disc set up had come off a rally mini I was expecting the worst when taking the old balls off, but for 10,000 miles that they had done with a fair bit off road, they weren't too shabby with 13x7s on them before. Just as long as you dont drive like a ..... blankaty blank....... then you'll have no problems!!!

Edited by shnevpayne, 09 September 2010 - 01:45 PM.