Page 1 of 1

Wheel choice

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 9:01 am
by Jono
Hi all,

Some advice on wheels if I may?

My Mk1 came with 10 x 6 Ultralites with new Yoko tyres (those asymmetrical jobbies with dots on the outside). The wheels are too wide for my taste and seem to have a very big offset. The steering feels heavy and I assume the offset may be contributing to this, albeit perhaps not solely.

I have fitted Gp 2 arches and the tyres still stick well outside the arches, however it has just passed an MOT without any problems. The other issue is that the front wheels catch on the leading edge of the wheel arch unless the suspension is jacked right up (currently over 4 fingers).

On the rear there is no problem per se however, again, I have the car jacked up quite high, this time to prevent the Minitastic springs unseating on full droop.

All in all the handling is a mess, but it is all fully adjustable for camber caster etc. should I should be able to get it 'right' The first thing I want to do is sort out the wheels, get a reasonable ride height and switch the springs for cones.

I like the Minilite look - they look 'correct' on a car of this period however the current 6 inch rims with big offset do not look right IMO and I don't think they do anything for general feel and handling.

I would like to switch to a narrower Minilite style rim which will accept the existing tyres (which I like). Can someone point me to a Minilite style rim in a width and offset which is less extreme and which will take the existing tyres? I could go 'genuine' Minilite, in aluminium of course, but they do seem to be expensive for what they are. I had a set of 14" peg drive knock on versions made to order by Tech Del for my Elan which cost very little more than 10" Mini versions :?

The other option is that the car came with a set of Rover 12” Minilite style rims – might these be a better option, obviously with new tyres? The car is on Cooper S brakes BTW.

Any help and guidance or sugegstions appreciated.

Cheers

Jon

Re: Wheel choice

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 9:38 am
by fred1380
5X10 minator or minilite sound like wath you are after

Re: Wheel choice

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 9:42 am
by surfblue63
I guess your tyres are 165/70 x 10 so they will fit on 5" and 4.5" rims.

As you have arches fitted you would probably be better off with a 5" rim such as these.

http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... L1000.aspx

If you do not like these Minispares have a good range of 10" rims

http://www.minispares.com/shop/classic/ ... spx?200301

Re: Wheel choice

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:23 am
by mk1
My choice would be as above Minilifes or Minilites (both available from Minispares) will take the Yokos just fine & will fit without wheel arches. This is in fact the "classic" combo. once you have these fitted you will be able to get rid of the horrible springs & go back to rubber, from there getting the handling sorted out will be a piece of cake.

M

Re: Wheel choice

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:43 pm
by guru_1071
jono

I find the minitastic springs to be perfect on my car, but I have modded the rears so they don't unseat under droop (why minitastic don't make it clear that the droop needs to be tested when fitting is beyond me, and why people fitting them don't check this always puzzles me, its such a well known issue!)

ive also fitted front and rear arbs, which allow me to run the car very soft and very low, it will bottom out if someone is in the back, but with just two people in it, its the most comfortable mini ive ever owned.

its able to travel long distances with no issues.

Re: Wheel choice

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:43 pm
by Jono
Thanks chaps, for all your comments.

Richy, the springs are yellow race springs and too hard and low for road use IMO. The car is for light competition use - some road rally work so I think conventional cones might be best with their inherent progression?

Cheers

Jon