36 replies to this topic

[Millso24]

Hi all,

Ive just been down the SMD and purchased a few bits... brought some sports pack replica's but cant see how to fit them (no instructions )

The screws dont have visable heads to tighten, ive also noticed that the bodywork is clearly visable underneath!!! When i just did a search on google all the major suppliers are trying to flog £45 templates!

How hard is it to fit yourself? Do you need you need the templates? Is there anything else to need to know before i start to contemplate drilling into my lovely bodywork

I have standard 12" cooper alloys so am slightly worried they might be dwarfed by the new arches... has anyone got any experience of having sportspack arches over 12's

[Pauly]

You will need the templates, think you can download them on minispares.

If they are the standard cooper wheels then it may look over arched, a standard cooper wheel is 4.5x12, I think a 6x12 just about fills the arch, but body mods are needed, bearing in mind that rover developed the arch to cover 13" wheels.

Paul.

Edited by Pauly, 02 August 2008 - 08:17 PM.

[the.stroker]

imo i think they will engulf your wheels,depends on there offset,do you have spacers??

[Millso24]

Bloody impulse buys

I could get spacers??? do they affect the hub bearings?

[the.stroker]

i would not go down the spacer route,imo they do put extra strain on hub components ,looking at your car your rear drum will have a built in spacer anyway,as already mentioned,the sportspack arch was designed for the sportspack wheel ( 13 by 6),depending what wheels you have depends on the outcome,my mate has 12 by 6! minilights,is lowered on hi-lo's and has sportspack arches and looks o.k,alternativly get wourself some fat 13 by 7 wheels,would look really trick then!

Edited by the.stroker, 02 August 2008 - 08:49 PM.

[Millso24]

Ive heard that 13 by 7's aren't the best for performance... is this true?

My minis lowered already so might be halfway towards what your friends got... dont suppose he's on here??? Have you got pix?

[the.stroker]

ill put some piccys up for you,yeh ive got 13 by 7 on my cooper and it handles like a dog,also " tramlines alot",the mini was never properly designed for such big heavy wheels,ive been through 2 sets of wheel bearings already,also you have to faf around cutting metal from the front wing/panel to stop the wheels rubbing on lock,if it was me i would keep the sportspack wheels and get some 12 by 6 wheels,you may still need to cut a small amount of metal from the front but only a minimal amount.

[Millso24]

if it was me i would keep the sportspack wheels and get some 12 by 6 wheels,you may still need to cut a small amount of metal from the front but only a minimal amount.

Cool sounds good... my tyres are 145/70R/12 so i believe they are 4 1/2 inches wide... do you know if you can put 165/70R/12 tyres on which i believe is what you meant in an earlier post (12x6)

This may be what you meant in your last post

[the.stroker]

yeh sorry mate,i meant a 12 inch diameter wheel with a 6 inch width,would fill out the arch nicely,look like you have standard sized wheels fitted being 4.5 inches in width,as for tyres and as your mini is already lowered i would not go over to much with the tyre profile,not up to speed to much on tyres,pm " the anorak " he can tell you what tyres you can get away with,hope this helps

[THE ANORAK]

Tyre size is not the same as wheels size when it comes to the width.

standard rover alloys are 4.5 x 12 inch and they will look really really stupid with sports pack arches (sorry, someone has got to be honest) but then the whole car will look stupid with sports pack arches

best place for them is your wheelie bin. if you put them on..... your going to have to get bigger wheels

EDIT: there is a guide to 12" rover alloys under my sig, you can put 165 tyres on them, but is not going to help to fill sports packs out

Edited by THE ANORAK, 02 August 2008 - 09:29 PM.

[the.stroker]

have to disagree there mate,at the malvern mini show there was a cooper with sportspack arches.lowered and with 12 by 6 minilight alloys,it looked really good,not my cup of tea but still looked great,i agree that the 12 by 4.5 standard wheel will look stupid,but by getting a wider wheel ( 6inch) will fill out the arch and look better

Edited by the.stroker, 02 August 2008 - 09:31 PM.

[THE ANORAK]

ever seen a sports pack with 4.5 wheels though

the sports pack arches are a matter of opinion, using them with 4.5 x 12 wheels is not

[the.stroker]

yes mate i agree the 12 by 4.5 wheels with sportspack arches looks cr@p,awfull and not right,but 12 by 6 looks o.k imo

[Millso24]

Hi Anorak just pm'd you... obviously no need to reply now!

does anyone have a pic as it'll be easier to get an idea... Id prefer not to have to get new wheels... more inclined to put the arches on ebay and recoup my money if the 12x6 option will still not look good...

[The_Mistro]

another thing, if the arches are rubbery, they are an absolute nightmare to get them to fit properly! took mine straight back to the shop and got the fibreglass ones! I've got 13x 7s on my mini, it corners like its on rails!

Edited by The_Mistro, 02 August 2008 - 09:46 PM.