The current 13" wheels/tires are very close to the wheel wells, bottoming out if I hit a dip or bump in turns. I like the look of the 10", but how will performance change, both in terms of handling and general driving?

 

My personal preference is for the 10's. I think they look better while accelerating while steering, stopping, and handling better as well. Mine are 165/70. There are lots of people who will disagree and like the Sportspack look of the 13's, but I think they give up some performance as a result.

 

Don't be concerned with "lots of people" saying you should stay with 13" wheels and tires. I know too many that have gone from 13" to 10" or from 12" to 10" and are extremely happy. Although with the late model gray market Minis that came with 13" there may be more to contend with than just switching tires and wheels. Depending on your suspension setup handling may improve.

 

you can look at it from a basic math position

if you had 13's and you put on 10's the wheel must rotate at a different rpm to achieve the same road speed (tire profile ALSO factors in ....) How much? Math question for ya'll!

Were your 13's low profile? If so, the taller sidewall of the 10's could result in a much softer ride . . .

*****
A Mini belongs on 10's !!!!!

 

I'd guess these are low profile. They are Dunlop radial P175/50 R13 74T on Racer 13/x5 rims. They're not all that much taller than the 10's, actually, but still come mighty close to the wheel well when turning.

(I'll put a pic in my gallery)

 

Here's something of a reference shot

The Mini is on 6x10 with 165/70 tires

The MINI was an 02S on the 17" S-lites with OE 205/45



the 10's result in an overall diameter of roughly 19 inches with a 3 1/2 inch sidewall. This is about the same sidewall height I see on my 07S with 16"wheels and OE tires 195/55. My 07 rides MUCH softer then the 02 did even when I compare RF to RF and non RF to non RF .... conclusion - sidewall height BIG factor. So if you change wheel diameter and overall diameter stays the same you must gain sidewall and I'd expect softer ride - but more sidewall flex if you drive hard enuf for that to be a factor. I don't track my car so it is not a factor for me.

and for note if as you say your current 13 setup has the same diameter overall as typical 10s and width is 5 - with the 6 inch wide 10's, altho you see wide flares on my car, behind the flares NO metal has been cut away and I have no rubbing issues. Wheel offset might be a part of this ... just a guess tho

 

Do you have hi-los installed? I have 13s and after installing the hi-los I could raise the front end enough to eliminate rubbing.

 

Swapped my 13" wheels for deep dish 6x10 ET-15 offset Minilite Mk 11, up to now rarely seen outside the Japanese Mini scene. My Mini drives so much better with 10's back on........just like Alec Issigonis originally intended!

 

If you have 8.4" brakes, the 10s probably won't fit over the calipers. In '83 or so, Mini changed to 12" wheels and the 8.4" brakes. You can try Yoko A048 165/55-12 on a 12x5.5 wheel - the overall diameter is very close to a 165/70-10. You'll have the handling AND the bigger brakes!

 

Cooper S 7.5" complete brake disc kit, except for disc shields, with genuine AP calipers. If you want or have 10" wheels this is the kit to convert from drum brakes to discs brakes.
http://www.minispares.com/product/Cl...aspx|Back%20to

There is also a cheaper kit to convert from 8.4" discs to 7.5" discs.

 

The swap has been made, and what a difference! The car rides better, certainly handles better, and has the look I was after. My signature has a pic w/ the new wheels/tires. How do I upload a pic here in the message? I only see an option for pointing to a URL.