3 replies to this topic

[mullet]

Hi all.  My mini has these kinds of trims, but they were all cracked so I just drilled out the rivets and removed them.  My intention was to replace with a kit:

https://www.thelittl...aultcombination

 

But now I realise they were hiding quite a bit of rust (I will clean up and hammerite the out of sight areas). 

 

So what is the opinions of others?  Are there any pros and cons to not putting new ones on?  I also thought about this product instead as any new rust would be easier to spot without the trouble of rivets:

https://www.thelittl...-a-l-unite.html

 

Thanks for your ideas!

Edited by mullet, Yesterday, 04:05 PM.

[mab01uk]

The plastic wheel arch extensions were added by BL/Rover to cover the tyre tread when larger 12" wheels replaced the earlier 10" wheels fitted to Minis which did not need arch extensions.

The UK MOT requires tread to be covered when viewed from above.....although the earlier Mini 1275GT fitted with 12" wheels had no plastic arches it was borderline legal with some tyres.

Assuming that having no arches will be ok and road legal in France, you will have the plastic arch rivet fixing holes to fill plus any rust areas, which may mean you have to have your car paintwork repaired.

Edited by mab01uk, Yesterday, 07:18 PM.

[mullet]

The plastic wheel arch extensions were added by BL/Rover to cover the tyre tread when larger 12" wheels replaced the earlier 10" wheels fitted to Minis which did not need arch extensions.

The UK MOT requires tread to be covered when viewed from above.....although the earlier Mini 1275GT fitted with 12" wheels had no plastic arches it was borderline legal with some tyres.

Assuming that having no arches will be ok and road legal in France, you will have the plastic arch rivet fixing holes to fill plus any rust areas, which may mean you have to have your car paintwork repaired.

Thank you.  I didn't know regarding the history of these plastic trims.  I'd always thought it was one of these 80s ideas!  I'll be cleaning it up and hammeriting the rusty areas and be replacing then.  Thanks again.

[lippo]

The plastic wheel arch extensions were added by BL/Rover to cover the tyre tread when larger 12" wheels replaced the earlier 10" wheels fitted to Minis which did not need arch extensions.

The UK MOT requires tread to be covered when viewed from above.....although the earlier Mini 1275GT fitted with 12" wheels had no plastic arches it was borderline legal with some tyres.

Assuming that having no arches will be ok and road legal in France, you will have the plastic arch rivet fixing holes to fill plus any rust areas, which may mean you have to have your car paintwork repaired.

 

 Hi Mab, my Clubman Estate has no wheel arches and Cooper S brakes, so the front wheels protrude about an inch. It was put through an MOT last year and received an advisory relating to the wheels. I was surprised that it didn't fail but some recent google searching has revealed that a car cannot fail the MOT on protruding wheels, it is an advisory only.

 

 I have now fitted Minifins to the rear, so all 4 are sticking out slightly!

 

https://www.reddit.c...ing_beyond_the/