Hello,

I'm trying to figure out what aftermarket wheels to put on my MCS (if it ever gets here) and was wondering if anybody knows about wheel offsets, etc? I think that MINI specifies 4-100 with a 45 offset. What does this mean? If I buy a wheel with a 40 offest, am I going to have clearance problems?

The funny thing is that I looked into some M3 take-offs at Discount Tire, but they said that the bolt pattern is different, yet I see aftermarket BMW tuners putting their wheels on the MINI. Is the bolt pattern the 4-100 figure?

So many questions, but thanks for any answers.

Best regards,

Jason

 

they way i understand it, the BMW wheels are the exact same. just a mini logo put in them. they are made for BMW by someone. not sure who. that is why you can change those wheels out. as for the rest i do not know and would also like to have your answers.
but the BMW knock offs you refer to, may actually be the genuine wheel that is made FOR BMW. thus the knock offs ARE BMW's.
take care.

 

I thought the same thing as you, but now that I look at it, it would appear that the MINI has four lugs (must be the 4-100) and BMW has five. Maybe somebody out there can make things clear for us. The tuners might be using some adapters or something.

 

a

 

Goto http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/boltpatt.htm - this explains the bolt pattern - th 4 x 100 stuff - which is 4 lugs spaced 100mm. Some tires have more - typically 5 lug i believe is the most common. Some wheels will have 9 lugs to fit both 4 and 5 lug patterns - this is a cost saving measure by the tire manufacture - that way they can make 1 tire and get wheels for two bolt patterns.

On the right side of that url there is links to offset and other tech issues with tires. Offset is the distance from the center of the wheel to the hub. Offset is very important - the mini has an offset around 40-45 i believe - you don't want to vary too far from that...if you do you might have to use spacers and do some snipping on the body.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. I just called Tirerack. Very helpful. With that call and the above info, I'm learning quickly. I just have to, now, find exactly what the wheel offsets are from the factory. I thought the offset was 45 as what deMatta said and the Tirerack guy said 48mm. I'll figure it out. Somebody in the gallery has the same wheels I'm looking for. I'll track him/her down and quiz 'em.

Thanks again,

Jason