I'm considering the purchase of a classic Mini and thinking about wheel size choices. I really like the classic look of the 10" but am wondering if the 12" or 13" have distinct advantages. If I got the 10's I'd probably add "S" disk brakes, but I would also like to learn if they are truly superior to the drums. Are the disks that come with the 12" or 13" better than the "S" setup? Any thoughts you may have about 10" vs. the others would be welcomed, especially as far as handling, ride, overall performance are concerned. Thanks for any help you may offer.

 

nothing handles better than ten inch wheels. nothing stops better on 10s than cooper S brakes.

12" wheels will usually have newer 8.4 brakes with booster/servo which gives the modern car feel on the pedal, unless you like old and rough, you wont like it.

13" wheels you can put the biggest brake possible which are Honda size wih vetilated rotors.

btw drums are suicidal in the front! unless you trailer your car to events and only drive it around the corner.

 

they are? why?

 

cuz you may stop faster doing a Fred Flintstone.

I run 10x6 with Cooper S disks up front on a 79 shell...1275

The suspension is damn hard, corners like a go-kart and I've not yet panicked when trying to stop


but I do not race it.....

 

Go with 10's....they handle the best of all the wheel sizes, but you loose a little top end speed with the smaller diameter, but well worth the trade off IMHO. 12's are the in between, handle better than 13's but not as good as 10's and you gain a bit on the top end, but with the lower profile tires it's only a couple mph. 13's are bigger and heavier and thus with no power steering handle the worst. You do gain a bit in the top end, but again that is not what these cars are about.

As far as brakes go, with the 10's you can go up as high as a 7.9" vented four piston brake set-up from makers like KAD, but only certain 10" wheels will fit over them. I prefer the MiniSport.com Cooper S set-up with 4 piston calipers. There is also a retro set of steel Cooper S style wheels from Minispeed.co.uk that will fit over 8.4" discs, but require wide arches to cover them up. Hope this helps.

Shawn

 

i have front drums and 10" wheels........and have had no probs.......i drive mine everyday

 

Later drums are fine for street driving. Are disc better, yes of course. Are they absolutely necessary? No. Drums in good condition and propelry adjusted work just fine. Its what I use. If I autox or drove faster, I would switch to 7.5 discs.

12" tires are hard to find. 13's are limited and a Mini doesn't seem the same on them, imho. I had them and wouldn't do it again.

 

the only issue drums have is that heat builds up inside hence brake fade will occur. They don't self adjust so you'll find youself under the car regularly a la vw bug!

 

I run front drums on mine, and use it as a daily driver without any problems. Drums aren't suicidal, they are fine if you can't spend the money for discs.

 

Just remember a set of ten inch alloys and the S brakes to fit within them are at least double the cost of mini 8.4 inch disk brakes and a new set of twelve inch alloys and tyres.

I like tens but the cost of the brakes makes them a tough choice for lots of folks. Peter