36 replies to this topic

[olliejsprite]

I've recently changed from 12x6 to 13x7 and the main difference i've felt are:

12x6:

Feels more nimble (which is what most people regard as 'handling'
Smoother over bumps
Lighter

13x7:

A fair bit harder over bumps - Definatly don't absorb as much shock so are probably harsher on suspension
Far more grip - Much better through corners - The grip goes on for ever and the car just seems more 'composed' during hard cornering - It stays flat.
Better grip in the wet especially during braking!
Look far better
They are a fair bit heavier though.

Both wheels will require body mods (cutting of wing) and in my opinion 13x7 - even if they do put more strain on the suspension system are worth it.

Really you should keep your suspension in good working order anyway so any pre-mature wear should easily be spotted and on a mini is cheap enough to repair - £7 and about 2 hours to do both upper and lower balljoints for example (providing you have the tools)

Cheers for that too. What tyres do you have on yours? Would you say the 12x6 are good round cornors and 'villagy' roads? Do you have a close up pictures of them on your mini. Wana see what 12x6 or 13x7 look like. I'm going though a thought where I can't decide. It will most probably be 12x6. When you mention about £7 and 2 hours work. Is that down the local garage? Would you say thats a pretty hard job to do, I mean I would want them right.

[olliejsprite]

unsure as to exactly what tyre but yoko's are usually a fair bit ahead of the rest. If Dev says the a048R's stick in the wet aswell, id say its very much worth it.

not sure where the best deals are to be honest. try all the usual places; minispares, minisport, huddersfield spares, midland wheels. can also find some nice and sometimes unusual things on ebay.

you dont want to change your speedo. it will read a little bit out, i think my actual speed was 10% less than my indicated speed or something, so at least i wasnt speeding. you can send it somewhere to get recalibrated if you want to, but your not breaking any laws by not. and i dont know where you do this so someone else will have to say.

there was a thread recently about what the things on tyres meant, god knows where its gone though. 156 is the width i think, and the 60 is the profile. could be wrong! mine on 13x7's were 190/55 i think.

Thanks for this help Oli. Yea I saw the thread about the tyres, it was really helpful but I was just puzzled how about you go working out 13x7 out of 190/55. I've been doing 190 x 55% and its been giving me numbers here and there!! Dont really have a clue about that. I just typed the tyres Dev was on about into huddersfieldspares and there about £80 for 13x7 and £60 for 12x6
I'll keep looking into it....

Cheers again for your help

[Dev]

The thing is 12*6 will not fill the arches and look as good, its a myth also that 12's wear the components any less than 13's. The components of your suspension were designed for 10's not 13's and therefore be prepared to do ball joints and TRE on a yearly basis. once you've done it once its not such a ball ache and a simple afternoon of a job.

048's are more expensive but you pays your money you makes your choices.

048's are the best tyre you can buy, and seen as they keep you in contact with the road are one of the most vital bits of your car. so buy the best.

i got 10k to a set of fronts which included 10 runs at avon park, two track days at oulton and a trip to the nurburgring.....

so if your careful.....

[olliejsprite]

i got 10k to a set of fronts which included 10 runs at avon park, two track days at oulton and a trip to the nurburgring.....

so if your careful.....

What do you mean about that?

[Dev]

what i mean is you can get a lot more than 10k to a set of fronts if you dont abuse them.

Think about it Avon park = drag racing

Oulton Park two track days = approx 40 laps per day, at pace = wear on tyres, lots of it.

Nurburgring = 20 laps see above but more so

Understand?

[mike.]

Cheers for that too. What tyres do you have on yours? Would you say the 12x6 are good round cornors and 'villagy' roads? Do you have a close up pictures of them on your mini. Wana see what 12x6 or 13x7 look like. I'm going though a thought where I can't decide. It will most probably be 12x6. When you mention about £7 and 2 hours work. Is that down the local garage? Would you say thats a pretty hard job to do, I mean I would want them right.

Well heres a few pics of my car for you. Before with 12x6 Ultralights, falken tyres and group 2 arches:




And how it is now with 13x7 deep dish wheels, bridgestone tyres and miglia arches:




I've got this pic here when i'd just fitted the arches and still had my old wheels on. You can see how small the wheels look compared to the arch:



When i said about doing balljoints for £7 that was if you can do it yourself. A non-gen upper and lower balljoint kit is £7 and if you have the tools will only take a couple of hours to replace your old ones. If you took it to a garage you'd probably get charged about £50-£80 to have that done!

[olliejsprite]

Cheers for that too. What tyres do you have on yours? Would you say the 12x6 are good round cornors and 'villagy' roads? Do you have a close up pictures of them on your mini. Wana see what 12x6 or 13x7 look like. I'm going though a thought where I can't decide. It will most probably be 12x6. When you mention about £7 and 2 hours work. Is that down the local garage? Would you say thats a pretty hard job to do, I mean I would want them right.

Well heres a few pics of my car for you. Before with 12x6 Ultralights, falken tyres and group 2 arches:




And how it is now with 13x7 deep dish wheels, bridgestone tyres and miglia arches:




I've got this pic here when i'd just fitted the arches and still had my old wheels on. You can see how small the wheels look compared to the arch:



When i said about doing balljoints for £7 that was if you can do it yourself. A non-gen upper and lower balljoint kit is £7 and if you have the tools will only take a couple of hours to replace your old ones. If you took it to a garage you'd probably get charged about £50-£80 to have that done!

Yeah! Cheers mate!! Your a legend! Thanks for those pictures! You know, your not helping me financially because I'm going to go and buy some tyres now!!! But its still such a great help. Can I get the ball joint kits off minispares for £7?

I'll take some pictures of my mini tomoz to show you if you like, what ones you think will look good one her.
Well when you see next time, I got alot of space under my wheel archs so i might not need to change them.
I'll show you soon.

Cheers Mike!