OK gang...don't hate me for this thread. Does anyone know of any manufactured wheels that would accommodate hubcaps? I know this goes against everything logical in the wheel threads, but here's my thought. If there was a wheel/rim that was reasonable in weight that hubcaps would fit on, what a great & inexpensive way to change the way our Mini's looked every once in a while. This would be purely for aesthetics & obviously wouldn't apply to the track. I have a 2011 Horizon Blue Clubman S w/black top. I'm thinking a gloss black, pie pan type cap that would either be flat or slightly convex that would stick out an inch or so beyond the surface of the wheel - past the tire sidewall. Crazy... maybe, but chrome, gunmetal, or different designed perforated caps could be interchanged to change the look of the car. The attached image of the Mini Police car got me to thinking. I love the Clubman design, but not having so much daylight through the wheels would make the car seem less bulky topside. Would such an animal have any effect on brake temperature? Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

I'm no expert on such things but logic would suggest that the brakes would run at a higher temperature with a "fully sealed" outside face than with a wheel that is partially open. How significant the cooling is from air circulating from one side of the wheel to the other may be a point of discussion.

 

Not To Mention It Looks Retarded Lol

 

Come on... I asked not to hate!

 

here are some: http://www.memoryfab.com/wheels/used/20100621180806

 

I think youd still get quite a bit of cooling from the backside anyway... I mean your not going to be tracking it with them on right??

 

The look of the Mini police car is kinda interesting, ...but if you where looking a wheel that could give some quick change options for a slightly different look from time to time;
...then...I've always thought the ASA AR6 wheels with spoke inserts would be pretty cool to try, ...they are on Tire rack, looks like the spoke peices that can change out are chrome, red & gunmetal.
...would like to see pics of them, maybe if any member here has them on yet,
...i've searched around to check, but not come up with any....
..here it is....just a thought....J&M

 

Thanks for the replies & suggestions! The memoryfabs are interesting & kind of what I am thinking of. They wouldn't be for track - just everyday. For work, I specialize in Mid-Century Modern homes & my whole vibe is 50's 60's retro, which was one of the main reasons I leaned towards a Mini after my XJR fried. I was looking for something that was fun to drive, fast & retro-ish. I've been doing a lot of wheel searching & everyone's posts look very cool. Just trying to come up with something different. I've actually looked at the AR6's too with the same thought, that the spokes could be black or Horizon Blue to match the car.

 

There is a local guy who runs those dish hubcaps on his Scion box. The ones he has are brushed stainless looking. Im sure you could order them most anywhere as Im pretty certain they just fit on steelies

 

I just bought some steel wheels and had winter tires mounted to them. I didn't like the way they looked naked so I bought some cheapie hubcaps at Walmart and put on them. It really changed the look, there are numerous hubcap designs t choose from to be able to change the look of your MINI. Paid a whole $18 for a set of four!

 

The OP would be hard pressed to find steelies for his car. His car requires 16" wheels and they hard to find in steel.

 

This is what you want ,for the look, (I think,anyhows )
http://www.hubcapmike.com/moon_pics.html

 

And this is our 05 mini with the 15" steel wheels and winter tires with the $18 hubcaps from Walmart.

 

Great ideas! Thanks. Hubcap Mike has some great vintage caps & I actually like the flat racing cap as well. HR, did you have to drill to fit the lugs?

 

Just a thought....have you looked at the Classic Mini section? Maybe they might have some ideas?

 

No drilling or anything! Hubcaps extend outward enough that they clear just fine. I stopped at Pep Boys and they had an extensive inventory of hubcaps to choose from. Some of them where pretty interesting too. Some of them were selling for $50.00 for a set of four. You could really change up the look if you wanted to.