41 replies to this topic

[nerdy norm]

I know what you mean, but I think it'll look a little better. And I'll be happy not to have to swap the wheels over every year.

 

EDIT: just noticed the red Mini in the header at the top of this page. It looks like it has the same arches as mine, and that's the look I'm trying to achieve.

Edited by nerdy norm, 03 January 2017 - 01:08 PM.

[gazza82]

It's not the tyres ... it's the rims! Looking at the first picture you can clearly see the rim beyond the arch extension. So narrower tyres will not help.

[Cooperman]

A 145 width tyre is not suitable for a 6" wide rim. The minimum width for a 6" is 165.

Even a 5" is a bit too wide for a 145. The 145 is really for 3.5" rims as originally fitted to the Mini or the optional 4.5" as fitted to the Cooper 'S',

[nerdy norm]

Now I'm getting confused - where did the 6" rim come from?

[Cooperman]

If the wheels have the standard datum offset, then they look like 6" wide. If they are not 6" wide then they don't have the correct offset for your car.

Your problem is with the wheels, not the tyres. With standard 4.5" Minilite or steel wheels there is not even a need for wheel arch extensions, even with 165 section width tyres. In fact even a 5" wheel with standard offset doesn't quite need arch extensions with a 165 tyre.

[nerdy norm]

These are the wheels I ordered (and presumably are the ones I received):
 
 
 

Edited by nerdy norm, 04 January 2017 - 06:49 PM.

[THE ANORAK]

the red car at the top of the forum is fitted with the rover 4.5 x 12 wheels that are standard fitment on the Coopers and later mayfairs and many of the limited edition minis.

your 165 tyres on these rims would give the look you want.

[gazza82]

Nerdy Norm - have you got spacers on the hubs then?

Edited by gazza82, 03 January 2017 - 08:00 PM.

[nerdy norm]

the red car at the top of the forum is fitted with the rover 4.5 x 12 wheels that are standard fitment on the Coopers and later mayfairs and many of the limited edition minis.
your 165 tyres on these rims would give the look you want.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm looking for, and was hoping to get with the 5x12 wheels.

[nerdy norm]

Nerdy Norm - have you got spacers on the hubs then?

Nope, completely standard 1992 Sprite with original flying saucers and steelies.

[nerdy norm]

Another thought - my wheels apparently have an offset of ET14. I see that other similar replica wheels have an offset of ET31 - am I correct in thinking that they would bring the wheel 17mm further inside the arch?

[THE ANORAK]

Not sure about actual numbers but it does seem your problem lies in the wheel offset rather than the width.

[Ethel]

It's the distance from the wheel's centreline  to the face that sits against the hub. If the wheel is marked ET 14 it'll sit 16mm further inside the arch than ET0. ET-14 (negative offset) will sit further out. So yes, ET31 sticks out 17mm less than ET14.

 

If the wheels are brand new, surely the sensible thing is to swap them while you can. Though take the opportunity to check the inboard clearance to avoid swapping sticky out wheels for ones that rub.

 

[nerdy norm]

Yes, I'm sure it's the offset. Having spent all morning looking at other pics on cars with the same arches as mine, and also with similar-looking 5" rims, I was confused as to how the others looked fine, but mine didn't.

 

It seems that standard "Minilikes" have an offset of around 31, whereas those described sometimes as "deep dish" have an offset of around 14. I've just measured my car and that 17mm will make all the difference. Unfortunately, Minispares makes no mention of the offset on the product page for the wheels I bought, so it seems it's a case of caveat emptor.

 

Because I've fitted the wheels (although they haven't moved an inch), Minispares considers them second-hand and isn't interested in helping me, so not much to do but shop elsewhere and try to sell on the Minispares wheels in due course. It'll be an expensive lesson, but there you go

[Midas Mk1]

Or  just fit Hudd Mini Grp 2 arches which use the same holes as the original arches, but have the chrome lip edge to give you that extra clearance.

 

As above though, I have that poke on my 12's D1's and think its bang on. 

Edited by Midas Mk1, 04 January 2017 - 03:02 PM.