5 replies to this topic

[justinsidea]

Hello guys,

I am deciding if I should keep the original 12" wheels or change them into Minilite alloy wheels.


My initial plan was to keep the original, paint them either white or cream then use Hillman Imp Hubcaps to get nice retro look.

However, one of my mates told me there might be significant differences in fuel consumption between steel and alloy, for alloy being lighter it would use much less fuel. Also, he said it might give me a better handling.

Do you guys think so too? Also, it would be super helpful if someone could tell me the pros and cons of steel / alloy wheels!

Cheers guys!



~~~~~Please delete this text before posting the topic~~~~~~
Please give your topic a title that quickly describes your problem. Just putting 'Help my Mini doesn't work' is useless to anyone trying to help.
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Mayfair
1991

[L400RAS]

one of my mates told me there might be significant differences in fuel consumption between steel and alloy, for alloy being lighter it would use much less fuel. Also, he said it might give me a better handling.

Cant be much difference in weight, negligible in comparison to the car. Fuel economy will not be affected a lot. Handling improvement? Possibly IF your alloys are wider, and fitted with good tyres (165/60 for 12" wheel)

Also, it would be super helpful if someone could tell me the pros and cons of steel / alloy wheels!

Brake dust eats into alloys, but it does the same with paint. Keep any wheels clean to extend their life.

[Cooperman]

Hello guys,

I am deciding if I should keep the original 12" wheels or change them into Minilite alloy wheels.


My initial plan was to keep the original, paint them either white or cream then use Hillman Imp Hubcaps to get nice retro look.

However, one of my mates told me there might be significant differences in fuel consumption between steel and alloy, for alloy being lighter it would use much less fuel. Also, he said it might give me a better handling.

Do you guys think so too? Also, it would be super helpful if someone could tell me the pros and cons of steel / alloy wheels!

Cheers guys!



~~~~~Please delete this text before posting the topic~~~~~~
Please give your topic a title that quickly describes your problem. Just putting 'Help my Mini doesn't work' is useless to anyone trying to help.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mayfair
1991

Unlikely to make any difference in petrol consumption.
Wider wheels and wider tyres may increase the road-holding, so long as you don't go wider than 6" with a 175/60x12 tyre. Don't confuse road-holding and handling. The road holding may improve, but handling can be not as good. To define this: road holding is the G-force the car can generate before tyre adhesion reduces to a point where the radius of turn cannot be maintained. Handling is the manner in which the car responds to steering, braking, and accelerating force inputs by the driver.

[Guess-Works.com]

Tyre pressures are more likely to affect fuel consumption rather than the mass of the wheel... The mass of the wheel will affect acceleration, as much as the mass of any rotational component will, and contrary to what your friend thinks a heavier wheel will actually act like a flywheel, retaining inertia and propelling you forward.

Personally, if you want the best economy out of a vehicle then you want the narrowest tyre you can suffer with as much pressure as you dare, thus reducing the rolling resistance of the tyre... We all know what it's like trying to push a car with a flat tyre...

You're probably better of reducing the weight of the vehicle by emptying the boot, back seat, rear bins, glove box etc etc of rubbish and the usual paraphernalia which people carry around in their car....

[Cooperman]

Tyre pressures are more likely to affect fuel consumption rather than the mass of the wheel... The mass of the wheel will affect acceleration, as much as the mass of any rotational component will, and contrary to what your friend thinks a heavier wheel will actually act like a flywheel, retaining inertia and propelling you forward.

Personally, if you want the best economy out of a vehicle then you want the narrowest tyre you can suffer with as much pressure as you dare, thus reducing the rolling resistance of the tyre... We all know what it's like trying to push a car with a flat tyre...

You're probably better of reducing the weight of the vehicle by emptying the boot, back seat, rear bins, glove box etc etc of rubbish and the usual paraphernalia which people carry around in their car....

You are probably too young to remember the old 'Mobil Economy Runs' where competitors did a huge mileage at a set average speed over all types of roads. They used 3/4 worn tyres at between 65 and 70 psi to reduce fuel consumption. It got bl***y dangerous when it rained!!

[justinsidea]

Thanks for your thoughts people, really appreciate it! I'll probably stick with the original steel wheel then, personally I think they look rather all right!

Edited by justinsidea, 10 May 2011 - 09:11 PM.