41 replies to this topic

[nerdy norm]

I've just fitted a set of 12x5 Minilikes with Yoko 165/60R12 tyres to my otherwise-standard 1992 Mini.

 

I went for the wheel/tyre combination as I was told that it would be the best setup without having to modify my arches etc. However, I just fitted the wheels, and they poke out beyond the standard arches a fair bit (see pics below). Apart from possibly not being legal, I'm not keen on the non-standard look.

 

Would swapping to 145/70R12 tyres solve the problem?

 

Thanks guys!

 

 

 

[Jordie]

Legal wise looks fine.

Cosmetically thats upto you as owner. Either skinner tyres or different offset wheels.

[sledgehammer]

looks legal to me (IMHO)

 

I would be very surprised if you were to get pulled for that

[alex-95]

As above, looks ok to me as well. it's nothing compared to some .

[petey81]

You could always get trim between the arches and the body.

But it looks fine to me.

[nerdy norm]

Thanks fellas. I know a 145 tyre is 20mm narrower than the 165s I've got, but would fitting them reduce the poke-out by the full 20mm, or would half of it be on the unseen (inside) side of the wheel?

[megamini_jb]

Looks fine as it is

[MiniBash]

The law on poke/tyres, is grey at best, but it does state that the tread of the tyre must be covered by the wing and that you are not allowed anymore than 30mm protruding out from the body. I'd say you are well within those guidelines.

 

I would personally keep the tyre you've got rather than going to a 145 for what little to no change they will make.

[adam_93rio]

Yes a 145 tyre would fit under there, but as some have said, it's not really illegal.

You haven't got positive camber on the front have you?

[nerdy norm]

The car is completely as it left the factory. It's not so much the legality of things (although I'm fairly sure it would fail the local equivalent of an MOT here - the standard tyre size is displayed on the tester's computer and has to be checked). It's more that I'm not keen on the 'aftermarket' look, so I'm wondering if 145 tyres wouldn't poke out as much.

[mab01uk]

The car is completely as it left the factory. It's not so much the legality of things (although I'm fairly sure it would fail the local equivalent of an MOT here - the standard tyre size is displayed on the tester's computer and has to be checked). It's more that I'm not keen on the 'aftermarket' look, so I'm wondering if 145 tyres wouldn't poke out as much.

 

If it really bothers you then yes 145 tyres will poke out less but the decrease in width will be 10mm from each side of tyre = 20mm overall but only 10mm on outer face.

The side wall 'bulge' and tread that wraps around the corners is usually ignored even if visible from above as in your case.

Police/MOT only tend to worry about the flat tread area if visible outside the body/arches.

 

Note: The 1275GT with 12" wheels and 145 tyres left the factory with no arch extensions and was borderline for tread visible from above.......it was not until 12" wheels were fitted to all Mini's later that arches were added.

Edited by mab01uk, 02 January 2017 - 08:11 PM.

[THE ANORAK]

That looks perfect to me. Would be interested to see the actual rims you have... just for future reference

Edited by THE ANORAK, 02 January 2017 - 08:36 PM.

[Cooperman]

The non-standard wheels have a bit too much offset. In fact you can just about run 5" wheels with 165 section tyres without any wheel arch extensions if the wheels have the same offset as the standard 4.5" wheels.

[nerdy norm]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately it's annoying me every time I look at it - far too Carlos Fandango for me :)

 

I'll fit some 145s, I know it's only 1cm but it'll help! At least I won't have to swap the wheels over once a year when it goes for its MOT-type test, so that's one less hassle to think about.

[nicklouse]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately it's annoying me every time I look at it - far too Carlos Fandango for me :)
 
I'll fit some 145s, I know it's only 1cm but it'll help! At least I won't have to swap the wheels over once a year when it goes for its MOT-type test, so that's one less hassle to think about.

Don't bother. You will change little. The tyres will just look streached. The sides of the tread will still be visible as now.

And there is nothing wrong as they are now, and the tyres are good.