New wheels or arches?

[GTRMikie]

My renovated van is fitted with 5x10 Superlight alloys and Yokohama 165/70/10's and "S" discs. Problem is the tyres protrude beyond the body (although it did pass the MoT like this!). I am having to fit tubes to the wheels because I can't get an air tight seal between wheel and tyre, so maybe this wheel and tyre combination is not suitable. So is there a 5x10 alloy wheel out there with a different off set that will take my tyres (they are brand new) and bring the tyres back under the wings. I am reluctant to fit arches, because I prefer the look without, but if I had to fit them which arches do you think would look best on the van. I am leaning towards Group 2 at the moment.

[jacobyte]

GTRMikie said:

I am having to fit tubes to the wheels because I can't get an air tight seal between wheel and tyre

You should NOT have to fit inner tubes. The tyre fitter should be able to seat them properly, unless the wheels and/or tyres are not round, in which case you should send them back and get replacements. Alternatively, did the tyre fitter put on balance weights that "hook" over the rim? These can lift the tyre a bit, letting air escape, so adhesive weights should be used.

[jacobyte]

And in answer ot the original question, I find that the original Cooper wheels look great and fit 165s on them without protruding, as I had on my van about 15 years ago.

[miniholic]

Mini Spares do their 4.5*10" Minilife wheels with the correct offset, they are much cheaper than the genuine article too (around £45 each IIRC).

We've got reverse rims on our van, but they do stick out of the arches slightly, the proper S ones would fit inside the arches, but they go for a stupid amount.

[Pat H]

Please don't stick arches on it.....

A good cheap wheel is the 10" 1275GT Rostyle.

Same width and offset as the Cooper S rim, but relatively easy to come by and will carry a 165mm tyre without problem.

[vrooom]

10" 1275GT Rostyle would clear the cooper S brakes? and fit under arch ok?

[Pat H]

vrooom said:

10" 1275GT Rostyle would clear the cooper S brakes? and fit under arch ok?

Yep.

I have Cooper S brakes on the yellow 1275GT above and there are no issues with clearance. I am currently on 145mm tyres, but I have run 165mm tyres on these wheels without problem in the dim and distant past.

If you want to stuff them on a van, then you will need the drums with the inbuilt spacer for the back brakes, together with longer studs so that the rears are to Cooper/GT spec.

Otherwise, there shouldn't be a problem.