27 replies to this topic

[Algordo1100]

I think your car would look the dog's doo da's on these: http://www.minispare...80&prod_id=2695
But thats just my opinion .
Its going to feel a lot better on 165 tyres whatever you choose. Don't bother with a 145 tyre, they are poo.

Al

[willava182]

See my post here about why and how to cut your wings: http://www.theminifo...s/#entry1148068

Since doing mine, i've learnt that its possible (and better) to bend the lip up in one go, without cutting into the wing. Essentially, you create a bigger lip by bending up the excess wing material, then trim the excess lip off.

A bodyshop will use a proper dolly for this, but to DIY, mole grip or similar will do.

I did just see that, the only problem was, i didn't really want to modify the body as it was a limited edition mini, and thought it would affect the value.

[Algordo1100]

It's trial and error really as each shell can be subtly different. I would put the wheels on first and then check for clearance. If they are catching then really its just a case of marking the bit that is in the way, cutting it off carefully and forming a new lip profile by bending the edge up. Remember to allow for the lip before you cut and you'll need to sand back and repaint the new wing/front panel lip as the paint will have cracked off and it will rust. Again your arches when refitted should hide your handy work.
Take it steady and a bit at a time. It should be just a little bit to cut for those wheels though. Not that I'm an expert

Right ok thanks, i just realized that on my mini they are 5x13 with 145 tyres , does this mean that they will still need to be cut, i cant really visualize what will catch.

Thats a funny size! Do you mean 12's or do you have 13's on now? If your car.... (nice mini by the way)....if your car is still wearing the wheels it has in this pic:




Those are standard steel wheels and your tyres are 145/60/12.....thats 145 wide, 60 high (sort of, it's a ratio) and to fit a 12 inch wheel. The offset tells you how far the wheel sticks out (or in)
The wheel/tyre combination you linked to is the same height overall (12 inch wheel) but the tyre is wider (165) and the offset is pushing the whole tyre out away from the hub, so when it turns with the steering its going to be stuck out further, and will/may hit the very corner of the front panel on the inside.

Does that make sense?

Al

The same wheels yes, but on the tyres it defiantly say 70R, and i measured them and they are 13" , This does actually match up, as the speedo does read wrong.

Sorry my bad. . Yes I mean 145/70/12.

It is a 12 inch wheel and a 12 inch tyre trust me

[willava182]

Ahh ok, i must be measuring wrong,
Would 5.5's catch at all?

[willava182]

I think your car would look the dog's doo da's on these: http://www.minispare...80&prod_id=2695
But thats just my opinion .
Its going to feel a lot better on 165 tyres whatever you choose. Don't bother with a 145 tyre, they are poo.

Al

And i do love those, plus they come in 5.5 as well hah

[Algordo1100]

I think your car would look the dog's doo da's on these: http://www.minispare...80&prod_id=2695
But thats just my opinion .
Its going to feel a lot better on 165 tyres whatever you choose. Don't bother with a 145 tyre, they are poo.

Al

And i do love those, plus they come in 5.5 as well hah

They do aye
But if you went for the 5 with the ET+30 offset you won't have to cut your body shell .

[willava182]

I think your car would look the dog's doo da's on these: http://www.minispare...80&prod_id=2695
But thats just my opinion .
Its going to feel a lot better on 165 tyres whatever you choose. Don't bother with a 145 tyre, they are poo.

Al

And i do love those, plus they come in 5.5 as well hah

They do aye
But if you went for the 5 with the ET+30 offset you won't have to cut your body shell .

Right, but i want them to stick out so maybe the 5.5x12 ET10 are better for me, sacrificing modding the body.

[Algordo1100]

I think your car would look the dog's doo da's on these: http://www.minispare...80&prod_id=2695
But thats just my opinion .
Its going to feel a lot better on 165 tyres whatever you choose. Don't bother with a 145 tyre, they are poo.

Al

And i do love those, plus they come in 5.5 as well hah

They do aye
But if you went for the 5 with the ET+30 offset you won't have to cut your body shell .

Right, but i want them to stick out so maybe the 5.5x12 ET10 are better for me, sacrificing modding the body.

Aah.. they might fit without mods anyway.
Remember you can't stick the wheels out further than the arches though! If You are keeping your current arches I think you would just cover the 5.5's with that offset and tyre combination. Best to try it.

[willava182]

I think your car would look the dog's doo da's on these: http://www.minispare...80&prod_id=2695
But thats just my opinion .
Its going to feel a lot better on 165 tyres whatever you choose. Don't bother with a 145 tyre, they are poo.

Al

And i do love those, plus they come in 5.5 as well hah

They do aye
But if you went for the 5 with the ET+30 offset you won't have to cut your body shell .

Right, but i want them to stick out so maybe the 5.5x12 ET10 are better for me, sacrificing modding the body.

Aah.. they might fit without mods anyway.
Remember you can't stick the wheels out further than the arches though! If You are keeping your current arches I think you would just cover the 5.5's with that offset and tyre combination. Best to try it.

Right go for the 5.5's then :) the black line would go well with my grille,
Worst comes to worse i will just modify the wings without cutting, like the guy said,
But how do i remove the arches? they are pop riveted on!

[Algordo1100]

"But how do i remove the arches? they are pop riveted on!"


Carefully drill them out. You can refit using self tappers.

[willava182]

"But how do i remove the arches? they are pop riveted on!"


Carefully drill them out. You can refit using self tappers.

Ok thanks, if i got a mini garage to do this, roughly how much would it cost?

[Algordo1100]

"But how do i remove the arches? they are pop riveted on!"


Carefully drill them out. You can refit using self tappers.

Ok thanks, if i got a mini garage to do this, roughly how much would it cost?

You've got me there
I reckon two people could do it in an hour with a tea break

[willava182]

Right shouldn't be too bad then, i think my choice is 5.5x12 with group 2 arches,
and hopefully i wont need to change anything.