18 replies to this topic

[Italianjoblofty]

Hey guys im rallying my mini on tarmac and im just after some advice really. I've been out testing my mini through lanes etc and im currently running 13/175/50. I've found that im feeling every single bump in the road and its snatching the steering wheel out of my hand which is pretty scary at speed lol. My question is, would fitting a larger profile tyre like 13/175/60 help? Or am i better off running 12" wheels and larger profile? I cannot run 10" as my callipers are to big so just want to know your opinions on the 13" and 12" really

Cheers guys

Lofty

[rally1380]

Bump steer is not great at speed!!!

Wheel/tyre choice should solve this.

How about dropping to 12's with 60 profile yoko's?

[Italianjoblofty]

Yer that was what i was thinking of doing but before i go spending the money i would rather get some opinions of people that have rallied and possible experienced these peoblems

[rally1380]

Think wheel offset has a big part to play also. 13's tend to have a larger offset due to extra width (i think?)

I'm using 12x5 wheels on my clubman, but running 145/70/12 gravel tyres, 165/60/12 yoko's for track days. my car runs smaller discs though so i've got the 10 inch option too.

There are a fair few more experienced guys on here that will put in their opinions, but i don't think 13's on a mini are any good for handling.

[Italianjoblofty]

ok thanks for you input mate i appreciate it, as for the 13s i think your right mate. i bought the 13s for looks more than anything years ago when i first bought the mini lol

[minispaniard]

Cooperman is your man here. I guess 165/60/12 will be his suggestion...

[JustSteve]

I think the offset is probably causing the 'snatching' as presumably thy're 13x7's?

Also I think the low profile tyres aren't great for rallying.


I'd deffinately try out something more like 12x5.5

[Italianjoblofty]

yer they are 13x7 lol, like i said earlier they looked cool but im now realising they are not practical i've been looking for 12x6 but cant seem to find them? have they stopped making 12x6?

[minidaves]

13x7's no but for tarmac try 13x5.5 rims or 13x6 sportspack wheels, these will improve the situaltion. for dirt defo 145 70 12, on either 4.5 or 5 j 12"rims, and then u have the 165 55 12or 165 60 12 for tarmac etc options thrown in for good measure.

[racingbob]

your better off with 12 x 5" ultralites with say 048r

thats what i have on mine

i did have some 5,5 but not as good as the 5" for handling

on lane roads

[Italianjoblofty]

ok thanks for that racing bob, what tyres would you run with the wheels? 60/165/12?

[racingbob]

i got yoko 048r 165 55 12 ultralite wheels 5"

feels good, tried wide not the same

and i got 1 3/4 camber on front

[Cooperman]

The 13" tyres are poor for rallying for several reasons which I'll not go into now.
However, for tarmac rallying the best choice is a 5" x 12" with 165/60 x 12 tyres. For gravel a 4.5" x 12 with 145 section forest tyres will be better.
Once you get rallying on those 12" yopu'll wonder why you ever wanted 13" in the first place.
Good luck with the rallying.

[iwatkins]

Would agree with advice.

I run 175/50/13 on my road car (on Superlites) but would never dream of competition on them even running slicks, just too much. Actually a little too much on the road.

I would suggest 12" on a 60+ profile and narrower still on the loose.

You may also consider a proper four wheel alignment, can do wonders on setup. I've also seen steering dampers on short wheel base cars to counteract. But if you can dial out the bump steer, you'll be a long way there. Bump steer being the splaying of the front wheels on compression/extension in/out which equals big steering changes. Solve that and you are a long way there. Subaru Imprezas suffer badly from it, with big under steer, but fix it (just shim the steering rack), and you can corner a good 10mph faster, but with 200% more confidence.

Nothing worse than feeling lack of control at speed.

Cheers

Ian

[Italianjoblofty]

Hey guys i really appreciate the input you have all given me. It really does make a big difference as my mini is scaring ths ******* out of me at the moment lol So just to confirm if i buy 12"x5" i can use 12x165x60 tyres? Just so i know exactly what im looking for.

Cheers

Lofty