Bigger wheels?

[GruFFnuTT]

Hi all,

I've not posted on here for a long long long time as my old mini has been off the road under cover in my garage for nearly two years.

He is still in a good condition, but needs a few little bits sorting here and there. He started fine in a cloud of smoke and I'm sure he'll drive ok after I've given him a good service.

He needs a new exhaust which is being delivered and also he needs new tyres as they are not good having been stood for so long, so here's my question...

I quite fancy putting some smarter wheels on and better arches. I was considering deep dish 12x6, but I'm led to believe the arches will need cutting. If this is the case then I'm considering to 'go large' with some 13x6 rims.

Can anybody tell me how I would need to go about cutting the arches? Will I have to lose the lip of the arch or can this be welded back on or rolled? Ideally I'd rather get someone to do this for me if it's not too costly to make my plan uneconomical.

I'm guessing no mods are required for the rears?

Hope to be on the road again in him soon

Cheers guys

[DanGT]

You dont have to re make the lip but it dose add stiffnes if you do. I have never done this so cant say what the best way.

The 13" do look good but dose mess up the car set up. I found 12" quite good but most would say 10" are best if they fit over your brakes.

[Jon Brown]

13's make for a aweful drive on bumpy roads, they also slowly kill the suspension and eat wheel bearings.

As for the bodywork, there are templates to download for cutting the wings and the rears do not require any work although you will need wider arches.

Once its done its fairly ireversable without panel replacement, I would find someone with a local mini with 13s to take you for a drive before you take the plunge.

If you were local I would offer, unless you fancy the drive down then let me know

[GruFFnuTT]

Cheers guys

I really like the look of the 12" and 13" deep dish wheels.
My mate used to have 13's on his mini when we used to 'roll' together. I remember it had quite a bumpy ride, but the grip was incredible!!! Luckily my mini will be used for short journeys and fun so I'm not too worried. It was my first car and I've had it nearly 16 years!!! It's been well driven with lots of memories. As I'm writing this, I'm already feeling a bit guilty at the prospect of cutting the arches...

10's would be a great look, but my car is a later 1992 Cooper Si and I don't think they will fit without having to buy a new brake set up unless I'm very much mistaken?

[Cooperman]

Of all the Minis I've driven since about 1961, the worst ones in terms of road-feel and driveability have been those on 13" wheels. In the wet the 13" are very poor as the contact area is too great to clear the water well. They also 'screw-up' the suspension geometry and the low profile tyres don't work well on bumpy-roads.
The best are arguably the 4.5" or 5" x 10" with 4.5" or 5" x 12" coming a close second, both sizes with 165 section tyres.
Whether the 13" look good is obviously a matter of opinion. For me I think they look a bit silly, but I know it's a personal thing.

[GruFFnuTT]

I've heard that the 10" wheels are the best handling, but I will need a conversion kit and I'm not ready to go there just yet.
Having talked this out with you guys, I think I may just get the original 12" wheels refurbed and some new rubber all round. I'll get some better arches and finish those of with some of that chrome trim and run that along the sills. On the subject of arches, which ones suit 12" wheels best?

ETA - Having had a quick search, I dont think I can go far wrong with getting some Group 2 arches...


Cheers all

Edited by GruFFnuTT on Tuesday 21st August 15:13

[Cooperman]

Actually, with the standard 4.5" x 12" wheels you don't actually need wheel arch extensions. This is a 1997 MPI with the original wheels and no arches.

[camelotr]

I agree with Cooperman.

To add 13" wheels put more load on the suspension components, soo one must do more frequent servicing.

[camelotr]

I agree with Cooperman.

To add 13" wheels put more load on the suspension components, soo one must do more frequent servicing.

Edited by camelotr on Wednesday 22 August 08:54

[DanGT]

To get the care driving well dont forget to check the rest of the setup shocks ball joints etc.

[GruFFnuTT]

Cheers for that chaps. Yep, I will stick with what I've got for now. I've already got the original black plastic arches on the car which are splitting nicely and I would like to replace them with some new ones and I'm kinda liking the retro look of the Group 2's.
My exhaust arrived today and I had a disaster whilst trying to sort it... Think I'll start a new thead as I really could do with some help on this one!!?? Ooops!!!