I am having trouble finding what size lug bolt i should get to run 8mm spacers. I believe the factory size is m12x1.5? is the oem length 28mm or something else? I have found this information on new MINIs but not my for my 04.

My guess is I need M12x1.5-33mm?

Also is our lugs cone or ball seat?

 

This kit will work with your 8mm spacers, http://www.autoxcooper.com/tsw_stud_kits.html

 

Go for the stud kit !

 

Depends on your wheel...but more than likely they are conical.

 

how safe are studs? Everywhere I go refuses to install them due to liability issues. Sure its simple to put them in myself, but it just makes me question.

 

LOTS of track MINIs running studs.... if they were going to fail, they'd fail under those conditions, I think.

That said, it IS one more thing you need to keep an eye on... to make sure they're installed properly and don't back out...

 

One word.....Red Loctite.

 

That's actually two words...

Anyway, I have over 150K miles including a few track days on my studs and have had no problems.
Like Bigshot said, "Red Loctite".

Jim

 

just cuz i'm a noob when it comes to euro cars and the lug bolts..

is it necessary to get new, longer lug bolts everytime you swap wheels?
like do the lengths of the bolts depend on the wheel itself?

are studs the better way to go?

 

Shadd needs new bolts because he is going to be using spacers, which means that his bolts will be too short.

 

^^ do the OEM lug bolts fit on most aftermarket wheels?

cuz i remember trying to fit rims on an 08 MCS, and the oem conical lug bolts weren't long enough to reach the axle, sans the spacers

 

no, they don't fit a lot of rims because they are 14 mm diameter (2007+ MINIs) and many wheels are designed for a 12 mm bolt only (the holes are too small). Also (and this was my problem) the bolts have big heads on them and some rims (especially multi-fit rims) require a narrow headed bolt (often called tuner lugs). To make matters worse, there is only one company that makes tuner lug bolts in the 14x1.25 size for the new MINI - Palo Uber - and they are really expensive and they rust.

This is another reason to get a stud kit, but if you are carefull about which rims you buy you can stick with the OEM bolts. Tirerack is good that way - if you select your specific vehicle, the website will only recomend wheels that fit.

 

There are other companies that make them. I found some on ebay pretty easily.