Question for Miniman
Discussion
Hi its the other mini driver, I've currently got the standard 12" alloys with 145/70 tyres (the standard pirelli). They are awful tyres and I have decided to replace all four with something that gives grip.
Okay choices:
a) 13" rims and wider tyres. Although surfing the web says that handling isn't as good. However I can see jumping from 10" to 13" would cause probs but mine is a 2000 mini cooper 1.3i and 12" is standard and the book mentions a 13" option. I can also increase tyre width to 185.
b) Changing 12" rims for a wider track (165s) but tyres seem limited. Not sure about oversizing on the current alloys.
I know you have a modified mini so wondered what you did, and your best advice. ie will there be lots of alterations/extra hidden expense required.
Anyone else who knows about minis and best option please let me know your views as well.
Edit to say I've notice Fatboy has a mini too! can't see the tyre size on his picture though (what are you on?)
>>> Edited by smeagol on Friday 7th February 01:34
Okay choices:
a) 13" rims and wider tyres. Although surfing the web says that handling isn't as good. However I can see jumping from 10" to 13" would cause probs but mine is a 2000 mini cooper 1.3i and 12" is standard and the book mentions a 13" option. I can also increase tyre width to 185.
b) Changing 12" rims for a wider track (165s) but tyres seem limited. Not sure about oversizing on the current alloys.
I know you have a modified mini so wondered what you did, and your best advice. ie will there be lots of alterations/extra hidden expense required.
Anyone else who knows about minis and best option please let me know your views as well.
Edit to say I've notice Fatboy has a mini too! can't see the tyre size on his picture though (what are you on?)
>>> Edited by smeagol on Friday 7th February 01:34
My mini has 6x12 inch rims, not sure about the tyres but they are nothing huge - I'll have a look at them tonight and let you know what they are. The popular opinion about 13s is that the handling suffers, and you also have to be aware that fitting 13s to a standard shell (i.e. non Rover sportpack) requires removal of metal from the wheel arches to give enough clearance which is not a huge job but easy to screw up.
10 inch rims give the best handling. However, if you go down from 12 to 10, you will have to change the front disks and possibly callipers to the rare Cooper S disks from the 60s as the 10 inchers will just not accept the standard 8.4 inch disks from later cars. You can also machine down the standard 8.4 inch disks to fit but this is a job for a specialist.
Have you uprated the suspension yet? If not, this may give more of a handling advantage that the wheels alone. I would recommend Spax gas adjustable lowered shocks and adjustable height cones to get it a bit lower and stiffer.
You could also go for grippier tyres like something from Yokohama - my brother has a set that are basically motorbike tread BUT BEWARE!!! they are sh!t in the wet!
My car is not in as good a state as my brother's - he has all the spax goodies and these virtually slick tyres on standard 12 inch wheels. At Castle Combe last year he made quite a few "proper" cars (e.g. 944, Nissan 200SX) look pretty feeble - they could catch him down the straights, but he was pi$$ing all over them in the corners.
Hope this helps! Check out www.minilinx.com for loads of links to other sites which range from pants to great, and many with lots of good tips.
Edited to add: you can get a good adjustable suspension setup for a good deal less than the cost of a set of wheels & tyres.
Cheers...
>> Edited by miniman on Friday 7th February 08:25
10 inch rims give the best handling. However, if you go down from 12 to 10, you will have to change the front disks and possibly callipers to the rare Cooper S disks from the 60s as the 10 inchers will just not accept the standard 8.4 inch disks from later cars. You can also machine down the standard 8.4 inch disks to fit but this is a job for a specialist.
Have you uprated the suspension yet? If not, this may give more of a handling advantage that the wheels alone. I would recommend Spax gas adjustable lowered shocks and adjustable height cones to get it a bit lower and stiffer.
You could also go for grippier tyres like something from Yokohama - my brother has a set that are basically motorbike tread BUT BEWARE!!! they are sh!t in the wet!
My car is not in as good a state as my brother's - he has all the spax goodies and these virtually slick tyres on standard 12 inch wheels. At Castle Combe last year he made quite a few "proper" cars (e.g. 944, Nissan 200SX) look pretty feeble - they could catch him down the straights, but he was pi$$ing all over them in the corners.
Hope this helps! Check out www.minilinx.com for loads of links to other sites which range from pants to great, and many with lots of good tips.
Edited to add: you can get a good adjustable suspension setup for a good deal less than the cost of a set of wheels & tyres.
Cheers...
>> Edited by miniman on Friday 7th February 08:25
Going from 145/70x12 to the 175/50x13’s you’ll find loads more grip, the front of the arch needs to be cut back to give clearance but it’s not too much hassle. I like 10’s but think they look wrong on the late cars, you’ll probably need some wider arches to cover the wheels but these are available from minishop etc.
If you go to one of the shows you’ll get a good price on wheel and tyre packages.
What sort of style are you looking at?
If you go to one of the shows you’ll get a good price on wheel and tyre packages.
What sort of style are you looking at?
13's look better but 12's dont put as much stress on the axles and associated joints.
Have any of you boys got any experience with the chromed/polished Minilites? I am about to (this arvo) order a set of 7x13's and cant decide whether to go chromed or polished, the former look great but are significantly more expensive and I was wondering if it was worth it as I have not seen a polished set.
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Friday 7th February 09:47
Have any of you boys got any experience with the chromed/polished Minilites? I am about to (this arvo) order a set of 7x13's and cant decide whether to go chromed or polished, the former look great but are significantly more expensive and I was wondering if it was worth it as I have not seen a polished set.
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Friday 7th February 09:47
Still undecided on the chrome wheel dilemma - I guess it depends what overall look you are trying to achieve. Obviously, they will likely look wrong on a "proper" period restoration car but they are probably pretty good looking on a higly modified project car where originality isn't an issue.
I'm wondering what the durability of the chrome wheels will be like. I suspect it will be difficult to keep them looking their best and it would be handy to find out what quality / thickness of plate is used - you don't want to shell out loads then find it chipping off.
I'm wondering what the durability of the chrome wheels will be like. I suspect it will be difficult to keep them looking their best and it would be handy to find out what quality / thickness of plate is used - you don't want to shell out loads then find it chipping off.
That was my exact concern. I remember reading a while ago when Coopers H15 FUN was done for the 40th birthday party he had the chromed MKII Minilites on that, MiniWorld said that it was a car never destined to go on the road due to the wheels which sounded ominous. However, when I went to see Cooper they said they had done Chromed MK II (albeit at £1700 
) for customer cars...
Its a tricky one on the whole!
Matt.
) for customer cars... Its a tricky one on the whole!
Matt.
miniman said: However, if you go down from 12 to 10, you will have to change the front disks and possibly callipers to the rare Cooper S disks from the 60s as the 10 inchers will just not accept the standard 8.4 inch disks from later cars. You can also machine down the standard 8.4 inch disks to fit but this is a job for a specialist.
you would need to change the calipers, but you can buy a set of new 4 pot alloy calipers from Mini Spares for around £300 IIRC.
I tried to modify Metro calipers to fit - it's possible but a massive pain, and it's easier to buy the alloy ones.
Not difficult to get 8.5" disks turned down - I just got a local machine shop to do it.
Absolutely - 4 pots would be nice but my current budget won't allow it - especially having spent my "new engine" fund on a V8 Trans Am!
Seems to me that machining down existing callipers is a dicey job - presumably if you get it a little bit wrong, you'll be totally buggered.
Sticking with 12 inchers allows use of vented Metro disks and callipers but if you are converting from drums to disks then the Metro hubs will need to be replaced with Mini disk hubs as the handling is known to suffer badly if you transplant the whole Metro assembly over.
Seems to me that machining down existing callipers is a dicey job - presumably if you get it a little bit wrong, you'll be totally buggered.
Sticking with 12 inchers allows use of vented Metro disks and callipers but if you are converting from drums to disks then the Metro hubs will need to be replaced with Mini disk hubs as the handling is known to suffer badly if you transplant the whole Metro assembly over.
I like the gunmetal finish on the darker cars but the diamond cut rims do look really nice and that’s what I’d go for, the only thing is everyone has Minilites and although I like them I’ll be going for something a bit different, wanted the Starmags but I’ve got some 13” compomotive 5 spokes that’ll look pretty good when I’ve had them refurbished.
Edit to say I've notice Fatboy has a mini too! can't see the tyre size on his picture though (what are you on?)
I'm running 5x12in wheels with 165 width tyres (for some reason I can't remember the profile off the top of my head, but I'll have a look this evening and post it up for you). I run Yokohama A539s, stick like poo to a blanket in all weathers, and last quite well too (well the last set did when my brother had the car and we used to take it to the drag strip at least once a month!)
Edited to add: NO problems with oversizing the rims AFAIK, Southam Mini and Metro Centre seemed to approve of the tyre choice (actually they said the tyres were the only bit of the Mini that didn't need work
) >> Edited by Fatboy on Friday 7th February 11:01
It's all a question of cost, a lad up here in Lincoln got compromotive to make some 14" minilite style wheels for his mini. I shudder to think what the cost was, running 195/40/14's. Chromed wheels ?? Not for me, I prefer polished alloys or contrast colour like dark grey spokes and polished rims.
I'm running 13" minilite style wheels with 175/50/13" Yoko A008's on two rims and Bridgestone Potenza 520's on the other two. Yes I've had to cut the front arches, no I havent fitted the rack stops or the spacers under the front suspension trumpets to increase the front height as Rover did on the Sports pack. It doesn't tram-line like the Sports pack because I got the offset right and the Rover wheels didn't, but it does torque-steer due to the power output of the engine and a heavy right foot !! The problem with tyres is down to fashion, the 175 tyre is really too wide. Metro and ERA Mini Turbos had 165/55/13" tyres, but there are about 2 brands available in that size, where as there are about 12 brands in 175/50/13" size.
The standard Pirelli's are junk, fitting anything else is simply the best thing to do. Try Falkens or Yoko A539, they are both good tyres. The Yoko A539's are next up for me once the A008's are worn out. Yoko's with bike-esque treads are good for dry trackdays but not much fun in the wet.
As for other suspension upgrades, uprated front subframe bushes are a good plan, the towers and tear-drops on the front panel only, leave the ones on the front floor standard. I've got solid ali ones but there are poly ones available for less noise. Uprated or adjustable front tie-bars and bushes help reduce wandering under acceleration and braking. Uprated bottom arm bushes next, and some decent dampers. I don't like Spax I'm afraid, they are just too harsh for me. Try Gaz, or Koni for adjustables, or Kyb gas "self-adjust" type from Minispares (www.minispares.com) which is what I've got. From there it's negative camber front lower arms and rear swing arm brackets...... If you want adjustable ride height or to be able to set your corner weights get some adjustable trumpets/cones.
There is a suspension "kit" from Minisport at Padiham (www.minisport.com) which includes most of the bits above and some new profile rubber donuts which are supposed to give a nicer, more modern ride.
I'm running 13" minilite style wheels with 175/50/13" Yoko A008's on two rims and Bridgestone Potenza 520's on the other two. Yes I've had to cut the front arches, no I havent fitted the rack stops or the spacers under the front suspension trumpets to increase the front height as Rover did on the Sports pack. It doesn't tram-line like the Sports pack because I got the offset right and the Rover wheels didn't, but it does torque-steer due to the power output of the engine and a heavy right foot !! The problem with tyres is down to fashion, the 175 tyre is really too wide. Metro and ERA Mini Turbos had 165/55/13" tyres, but there are about 2 brands available in that size, where as there are about 12 brands in 175/50/13" size.
The standard Pirelli's are junk, fitting anything else is simply the best thing to do. Try Falkens or Yoko A539, they are both good tyres. The Yoko A539's are next up for me once the A008's are worn out. Yoko's with bike-esque treads are good for dry trackdays but not much fun in the wet.
As for other suspension upgrades, uprated front subframe bushes are a good plan, the towers and tear-drops on the front panel only, leave the ones on the front floor standard. I've got solid ali ones but there are poly ones available for less noise. Uprated or adjustable front tie-bars and bushes help reduce wandering under acceleration and braking. Uprated bottom arm bushes next, and some decent dampers. I don't like Spax I'm afraid, they are just too harsh for me. Try Gaz, or Koni for adjustables, or Kyb gas "self-adjust" type from Minispares (www.minispares.com) which is what I've got. From there it's negative camber front lower arms and rear swing arm brackets...... If you want adjustable ride height or to be able to set your corner weights get some adjustable trumpets/cones.
There is a suspension "kit" from Minisport at Padiham (www.minisport.com) which includes most of the bits above and some new profile rubber donuts which are supposed to give a nicer, more modern ride.
mine runs 12" rims with (tries to remember) 165X65 falken tyres - they were a HUGE improvement over standard, it was the first mod I did, and it only came to £185 inc VAT balancing & fitting. Well worth it. As for suspension bits, Green&White up here in the North East can tell you absolutely anything you want to know, they also recommended I go for adjustable shocks etc rather than the negative camber stuff (for value for money reasons)
hope this helps
>> Edited by minimax on Friday 7th February 12:05
hope this helps
>> Edited by minimax on Friday 7th February 12:05
You can use Metro Turbo vented discs and 4 pot calipers, which is the cheapest way for decent brakes. I believe you can machine down the discs to get it all inside a 10" wheel. The only thing to watch is that the Metro hubs are slightly different to the Mini ones and you end up with a wider track to the front which I discovered on my Hillclimb Cooper S messes up the handling. Fortunately I was using Splitrim Wheels so new inner and outer rims to the front altered the offset and restored the track to the same. I did try spacers on the back initially to compensate but that was not the answer.
Dont go to big as your mini will not handle (hoping round corners in not much fun.
The 008 are very good in wet or dry. My bro raced on them, till they were stoped as they are not in the blue book. The only down side is they do not last long.
Call Gerald Dale Motosport and ask to speek to Gerald. He is very very good with minis. Call 01424 855100. He will tell you what will work best as he races minis for years.
The 008 are very good in wet or dry. My bro raced on them, till they were stoped as they are not in the blue book. The only down side is they do not last long.
Call Gerald Dale Motosport and ask to speek to Gerald. He is very very good with minis. Call 01424 855100. He will tell you what will work best as he races minis for years.
Wow so much helpful information! Thanks to all you guys (I didn't know there was that many mini owners on this forum) It seems definate to go for 165s on the 12" then (Yokos seem the fav make), and start saving pennies on suspension etc.
I'm also glad a lot of you have said the standards are sh*t. To hear Rover talk they are fine and the're no problems with them
Time to talk to my tyre friend, and surf a few links.
I'm also glad a lot of you have said the standards are sh*t. To hear Rover talk they are fine and the're no problems with them
Time to talk to my tyre friend, and surf a few links. Just spoke to my bro, got him to go check the tyre sizes - they're 165/60R12 Yoko A539 (Better than the A008s in the wet from what I've heard)
try [url]Midland Wheel supplies |www.midlandwheels.com [/url]
>> Edited by Fatboy on Friday 7th February 15:03
try [url]Midland Wheel supplies |www.midlandwheels.com [/url]
>> Edited by Fatboy on Friday 7th February 15:03
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