31 replies to this topic

[Woreign]

I mounted 165/70R10 tires on 4.5x10 steel rims (http://www.minisport...o_21A1286S.html) and the backside rubs the rear wheel well.

The wheels that were on the car when I bought it are 145SR10 tires mounted on 5Jx10 Miglia rims. They fit with no problems.

Comparing the two setups, the Miglia rims have a 3-1/2" offset and the steel rims have a 4-1/8" offset. With the tires, the offsets are 3-3/4" and 4-5/8" (a difference of 1-1/8").

I was told when I bought the rims that they would fit my car. Well, they don't... The widest spacer sold by MiniSpares is 3/4", which I don't think would fix my problem.

So before I contact MiniSport and complain, do I have other options? They also sell a 3.5x10 rim. Would this work with the tires I have?

Thanks!

[Cooperman]

Those are the Cooper 'S' wheels which require the rear drums that have the built-in 1" (approx) spacer. The 3.5" non-'S' wheels were fitted to the non-spacered drums. Check to see which rear drums you have. With the correct rear drums there is no problem unless you are running 165 tyres with re-inforced sidewalls, like forest rally tyres in which case a 3 mm or 5 mm thick spacer may be needed.

[Woreign]

Well, I obviously don't have the drums with the built in spacer. And my tires are Falkens, but I don't know if they have reinforced sides or not.

Would there be any problems mounting the 165/70R10 tires on the 3.5" rims? I know at some point the rim can be too narrow for the tire.

Also, would the 3/4" spacer work in my case? Are they safe to use? I suppose I could make a 3/4" spacer from wood just to see if it gives me enough clearance.

[Cooperman]

Just buy a pair of standard spacered rear drums, Mini Spares pt. no. GDB106 at £16-00 each inc VAT plus a set of studs to suit.
The 3.5" 'S' wheels would also not fit and, personally I don't like just fitting spacers to non-spacered drums.
Of course, you also need Cooper 'S' disc brakes on the front or the 'S' wheels wont fit properly and the front track will be too narrow. In fact I think the 4.5" 'S' wheels will probably hit the dampers. If you have non-spacered drums on the back one might assume your car is/was all drum-braked which makes 'S' rims not fit.

[Woreign]

Theses 4.5 'S' rims fit the front without rubbing. And yes, I have drum brakes all around. So, for my car, which rims should I ideally be using? I wanted to go with a stock look with the steel rims and chrome hub caps. But if it's going to be a big pain, I'll just stick with the Miglia's.

[Cooperman]

Those are the wrong rims for front drum brakes and will have reduced the front track width by around 2" - not good!
What you need is a set of 4.5" x 10" reverse-rim 'S' wheels. These have the correct datum offset for fitting to the original drum brakes without spacers being needed.
I don't know if anyone is still making them, but you might find a good second-hand set if you ask on here. probably cost around £120 to £140 for a decent set of 4.

[Woreign]

In that case, my Miglias fit properly and would keep the correct track width?

I don't care for the idea of spacers either, so unless I can find a set of the reverse rims you mentioned, it looks like I'll stick with the Miglias.

I'll keep one of the 'S' rims as a spare...

Thanks for your help!

[Woreign]

And regarding the spacers, I found these at Mini Spares: http://www.minispare...assic/CW16.aspx

These would allow me use the 'S' rims that I have, but I just reconditioned all four hubs and I don't want to have to take them apart again to fit the longer studs!

Too bad the Mini doesn't use lug bolts instead of lug nuts...

[bmcecosse]

The 165 tyres would be far too wide for 3.5" wheels. Fit the proper Cooper S discs and drums - simples...........

[Cooperman]

In 1974 I took a 998 Cooper in part-ex and it needed some tyres. As that was in the middle of the famous '3-day week' I decided to use it as a road car, but it needed some tyrtes. I had a new set of 165/70 x 10 Goodyear rally Specials, so I fitted them to the 3.5" steel wheels. They worked OK, but I had inner tubes and only kept the car for a month or so then sold it, complete with those wheels & tyres.

If you need some reverse rim 4.5" x 10" you could give Tim a ring at 'Mini Mail'. I'm sure he'll be able to help at a sensible price. The 4.5 reverse rims will simply bolt straight on and keep the geometry correct. Of course, the best thing is proper Cooper 'S' front discs and rear drums and use your new wheels.

[adam_93rio]

Of course, you also need Cooper 'S' disc brakes on the front or the 'S' wheels wont fit properly and the front track will be too narrow.

Why would you tell somebody they 'need' these brakes? There are a number of brake setups that could be used with 10" steel wheels of all types. From experience, the cooper 's' disc setup isn't really much better than drums.

The fiesta convertion, although not sticking with original sourced parts, has very good braking performance and with work will allow you to fit the cooper 's' wheel, or any steel wheel for that matter

[Cooperman]

Of course, you also need Cooper 'S' disc brakes on the front or the 'S' wheels wont fit properly and the front track will be too narrow.

Why would you tell somebody they 'need' these brakes? There are a number of brake setups that could be used with 10" steel wheels of all types. From experience, the cooper 's' disc setup isn't really much better than drums.

The fiesta convertion, although not sticking with original sourced parts, has very good braking performance and with work will allow you to fit the cooper 's' wheel, or any steel wheel for that matter

'Cooper 'S' disc set-up not much better than drums', you must be having a laugh. There is no comparison between the 7.5" 'S' disc set up and drums. The 7.5 discs with good pads are just fantastic.

With the 'S' disc set-up standard offset 'S' wheels, as pourchased by the OP can be fitted and the smaller Van/'S'/Pick-Up chrome hub caps can be fitted. Wheel arch extensions will not be necessary. Either that of find some 4.5" x 10" reverse rim wheels and fit them to the drums.

[charie t]

The fiesta convertion, although not sticking with original sourced parts, has very good braking performance and with work will allow you to fit the cooper 's' wheel, or any steel wheel for that matter

Steel wheel's don't fit over the fiesta conversion

[Woreign]

I'm considering getting some Minilite rims like these:


Either by themselves or as a package: http://www.minispare...7#prod_selector

From what I've read, I shouldn't have any problems fitting them to my Mini, correct?

Also, what do most people do about a spare? Get a 5th rim and tire to match, or a plain steel rim? I was thinking of keeping one of the 'S' rims, but I would only be able to use it on the front. So a 5th one sounds more appealing...

[adam_93rio]

The fiesta convertion, although not sticking with original sourced parts, has very good braking performance and with work will allow you to fit the cooper 's' wheel, or any steel wheel for that matter

Steel wheel's don't fit over the fiesta conversion

Have you tried? Or read it on here?