looking at buying wheel studs kit, who makes them and what brand

 

I usd a set for a bit...with most mini rims, it is hard to get a,decent look...they ened up being more trouble then they were worth.
In my case, i found a set of tuner lug bolt for the rims that could not use the oem bolts.
Tip....
The allen head hole in the end of most studs are kinda soft...two nuts will work better when installing/removing the studs.

 

This.

Also, with some wheels that use the center caps to cover the bolt holes the cover will not fit because the studs stick out too far. Studs are perfect if you plan on using large wheel spacers, but they honestly don't help a ton for doing quicker wheel changes like the ads say they do.

 

If you are going to run spacers, these work very well and usually the bolts come in two lengths depending on how wide the spacers are....

You would need conical seat as well.

 

APR makes the best studs; you can get them from Turner Motorsports. Studs are not a place you want to skimp. You can torque them with the allen head, but you just have to be VERY careful--they are soft, like mentioned above, but the torque specs aren't that high, so with care it's easily doable (In fact I don't know how you could properly torque them to the manufactures specs without the allen head). You absolutely have to use the two-bolt method for removal though--once the bolts are loctited in, they won't come out with the allen head without stripping it.

They come in 75ish and 90ish mm lengths, can't remember the exact lengths. If you are running a spacer, get the 90's (the shorter length may work, but it may not, depending on how far out you're going. With the 90's, if you ever need a wider spacer, you're set. These are not much fun to replace if you have to). The 90's do stick out noticeably though; make sure you're ok with the looks before plunging in.

These are an absolute must for the track. I respectfully disagree with the comment that they don't make wheel changes easier--if you've ever tried changing a wheel at night, at the end of the track day, they are a godsend. If you're changing the wheels frequently, these really help. If you're doing frequent wheel changes, I've seen people cross thread the wheels before (although not on a MINI)--if you do that with tuner lugs, no problem, you replace the stud. If you that with the OEM bolt, you're SOL.

On the other hand, there are inserts that act like studs (or more accurately like hangers) if you use the regular bolts that makes it easy too, but they have to be put in and out each time you change the tire.

 

I have used the TSW bolts/nuts now available from Way Motor Works for many years with no problems.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/m14-to-...rsion-kit.html
I use them with 15mm spacers and the stud is the perfect length with the stud right at the end of the tuner nut for a clean look (the stud does not extend past the nut).

 

I just got the active autowerke studs from a vendor here. Will be installing them on monday.

Have to say they look really solid