name is jake, got this car about 3 months ago and I just changed wheels and tires but ran into an issue with the center hole of the rims being to big compared to the hub, so I thought id join here and learn a few things

 

You'll need some hub rings that step down the wheel to 56.1mm. You'll need to check on the diameter of the hub opening in your wheels.
Tire Rack carries hub rings. Ebay lists some of the sizes, but know exactly what you need.

 

are the hub rings a MUST?

 

Yes they are! It is dangerous to be driving with a loose wheel hub as it wobbles when the wheel is spinning. The hub also acts as additional support for your wheel to alleviate stress from your wheel bolts. You can probably feel a slight to moderate vibration in your steering wheel when you drive your MINI especially at higher speeds. In some situations, the steering would be shaky/unsteady/wobbly if the wheel hub is really loose.

 

3 decades of driving w/o hubcentric rings.....Surely, it's better & safer to have em. Just be sure to always cross-tighten those bolts should you opt to run w/o the rings for now.

 

+1 great advice