17 replies to this topic

[Twichel04]

I will be picking up my Mini in the next few weeks, and it needs new tyres. It currently runs on the stock steel 12x4 or 12x5 wheels, which ever it is. Instead of spending the money on tyres for wheels that I want to change out anyway, I figured it would be a good time to get new wheels. I am on a budget with this, and Mini wheels are expensive here in the states. I wanted to go with 13'' wheels, but I found these wheels for a steal-



They are 12x7. Yes, that's right 7'' wide. I know it will be hard to find tyres for that, but I work for a tyre shop, so I am not too worried about that. I also thought about stretching a set of 165/60/12's on them. It would be very minimal stretch since the tread width of a 165 is 6.5'' and the wheel is 7''.

I think that they will look good on a Mini with Sportpack arches, but I am looking for opinions on them as well. Should I go with these at a fraction of the cost of 13x7's, or should I hold out for the bigger wheels.

These are the 13's that I originally wanted-



The 13's would cost me around $1500 (£930) + shipping with tyres, where as the 12's with tyres shipped to my door would be $770 (£475) And that is if I went with the more expensive tyres. If I went cheaper it would all come to $600 (£370)

Anyone on here have 12x7 wheels? If so, could you post pictures and tyre sizes? Thanks.

Edited by Twichel04, 22 December 2012 - 06:47 PM.

[Noah]

Are the 12x7's 4x106mm?

I'm not sure how a Mini with 12x7's would handle!

Personally I'd get them as they're different and cool!

But check the Offset and the Stud Pattern.

[rally515]

As above check the PCD & if there right get them they look the "beez kneez" at first thought they were star mags lol
Also youd save a fortune ( i would never pay almost £1000 just for some wheels puffff your craaazzzyyy shiping is a bummer for you guys over there though
p.s. get some pics when there on ohh & whom makes the top pics wheels ?

Edited by rally515, 22 December 2012 - 07:00 PM.

[Twichel04]

Yes they are the right lug pattern, and I think the offset should work too. What is the best offset on a Mini?

They are actually golf cart wheels, but they are rated at 800lbs each, so they will be more than fine to drive on. Luckily, golf cart wheels are made pretty universal, they all have the same lug pattern (same as Mini's)

[Twichel04]

The 12x7's would have an offset of -12 (according to my math). Would that work on a Mini? I read that the 13x7's are -7. I am used to dealing with Mercedes, which almost all the wheels are in positive offsets, so my brain is a little turned around right now.

[Noah]

LOL.

I think my 12x5.5 have an Offset of -10.

Can't remember I always forget which way it goes

[Twichel04]

Well.. and this is if my math is correct, which it may not be, a 5.5'' wheel with an offset of -10 would mean that the distance from the inside lip of the rim to the hub would be 2.35 inches. And a 7'' wide wheel with an offset of -12 would mean that the distance from the inside lip to the hub would be 3''. So the 12x7 should work, and even if I had clearance issues on the inside, I could use a 10mm spacer, which would make my back space 2.6''.

But if the 13x7's are -7, that makes the back spacing 3.22 inches, so I should be more than okay with 3'' of back spacing with the 12x7's, if anything, it will mean that they will sit out a little farther than the 13's.

So I think I am ok... My brain hurts now, but the wheels should work. Someone please correct me if I am wrong in my calculations.

[Globule]

I think you need to put up a picture of the mini, a set of rims can look really nice on the ground, but on the wrong mini can look poor!

As Noah said, I'd go for the 12 x 7's purely for the rarity factor, as I do like unusual rims.

I used to have 13 x 8's on my first mini, with a 998 the acceleration was bad to say the least!

*Or, go for 10" rims, they are just nicer!"

Edited by Globule, 22 December 2012 - 08:03 PM.

[Twichel04]

I can't do 10'' wheels without changing the front brakes (which would cost more money, haha). I'll try to do a photoshop of the 12'' wheels on a Mini.

[Globule]

Sorry, I meant the mini you will be putting them on, a set of Image split rims on a classic 59 mini wouldn't look quite right for example if you see what I mean? It all depends what look you are going for

[Twichel04]

Well this is my Mini, it's a 95 spi. Still needs a good bit of work and rust repair, and will not be staying silver.


I just did a quick photoshop of the wheels on this Mini (same colour and wheel arches that I plan on going with)-


I think they look pretty good on that Mini. This really helped my decision, haha.

[Noah]

They look fairly epic....

[Globule]

Yeah I think that will suit the sportspack look, plus as before, they are different (i'm not sure how much that applies over there as minis are much less common than here), if your happy with the stretch and safety aspect of the rims, then i'd go with them!

[Jonty]

what is the website were these are from please as wouldnt mind to have a quick look

[Twichel04]

I actually found them on ebay. I knew I was going to need some wheels, and I had heard that golf kart wheels would fit, so I started searching. I also found out that I had the offset wrong, it will actually have about 2" of back spacing, so they will stick out about an inch farther that the 13x7's. hopefully that wont have too much of an ill effect on the car.

Edited by Twichel04, 23 December 2012 - 04:17 PM.