9 replies to this topic

[OscarMini]

Maybe this has been discussed before, but I have not been able to find a definite answer:

 

Will "reverse" 4.5x10 rims fit on my mini 850 from 1978? It is completly standard with original drum brake setup all around. 

I have small arches (original arches, - these became mandatory in 1978 in Denmark I believe) and I want to fill out the fenders/arches it just does not look right with original 3.5" wheels. 

Other option is to go with the Cooper 4.5 not reversed. What are the thoughts on reversed 4.5 ET 16 vs Cooper 4.5 ET 35 for my application ?

 

Thank you! 

[DeadSquare]

4.5" Cooper S wheels won't fit on the rear without a spacer, but will fit OK on the front.

[Shooter63]

The reverse rims were made for drum brake cars so should fit fine.

Shooter

[OscarMini]

thanks guys. Also I have some good 145/80 tires I want to use. are these fine for the 4.5 wide rim?

[DeadSquare]

thanks guys. Also I have some good 145/80 tires I want to use. are these fine for the 4.5 wide rim?

 

Yes, until the tread wears off.

[OscarMini]

Woops, I just saw it was 165/70 tires I have. Will these be too big for the 4.5 rims?

[DeadSquare]

Woops, I just saw it was 165/70 tires I have. Will these be too big for the 4.5 rims?

 

They will be OK on the front, but keep the tyre pressure up, too low is not good.

 

On the rear, they should fit, but get very close to the radius arms, and if a small stone gets flicked up, it can lodge between the radius arm and the side-wall of the tyre and if it cuts through the side-wall, the tyre deflates instantly.

[Homersimpson]

If the wheels are actually S reverse rims rather than S rims then they will fit a drum braked car fine and 165/70/10 tyres would be correct for them.  Thats what I used to run on quite a few of my minis.

 

The difference is that S rims were supplied with the original Mini Cooper S and are designed for a car with front discs and rear drums with integral spacers which push the wheel hubs out further where as the S reverse rims were (as far as I understand) an aftermarket wheel that looked like a Cooper S wheel but had more offset so that they would fit onto drum braked minis without rubbing.

 

If you put S reverse rims on a car with front discs and rear spaced drums they stick out a bit further than the original Cooper S wheels.

[timmy850]

First up - 145 or 165 tyres will be fine on 4.5” wide rims

Reverse wheels:
4.5” wide and offset 16
Fit perfect with flat drums front and back and no wheel arches
If you have stepped/spacer drums then you’ll need small wheel arches

Cooper S wheels
4.5” wide and offset 35 (these will be sunken in the arches 19mm per side compared to the reverse wheels)
Fit perfect with stepped/spacer drums front and back (or 7.5” discs front and spacer drums at the back)
Won’t fit with standard flat drums

Flat drums
http://www.minispare...ums/GDB105.aspx
Spacer drums
http://www.minispare...ums/GDB106.aspx

[panky]

You will also need to fit longer studs with the spacer drums