Hi guys,

I picked up a set of snow tires mounted on aftermarket rims. Previous owner had 2nd gen Mini.

Here is my problem. I was trying to mount them on yesterday but I noticed that little lip right outside of the bolt hole on the rim does NOT allow wheels from seating flush. Rim felt like standing on the rotor hat like tripod. I decided not to mount them.

What gives? Anyone? Is it safe to mount this rim this way?

 

And what generation mini do you have? It looks like it has a hubcentric ring in there which could explain the fitment issue.

 

Gen2 rims should mount right up to gen1 cars....
I run a set of gen2 15's oem rims for snow rims on my gen1....mounts right up...same hubcentric rings....

 

The wheel looks like it contacts the rotor at 5 places. The center ring outside the centering ring and the 4 places outside the lug holes.

 

I have the 1st gen.


It does have the hubcentric ring and I took it out to fit on the hub and it fits fine but snug. More so than the my OEM wheel.


I do agree that it contacts the rotor at 5 places but just trying to figure out if this is ok. I have never seen any wheel not sitting flush against rotor hat. It will sit with about 1/8 or 1/16" space other than those contact point.


I am trying to get ready for the storm and winter but boy this really does ruin my plans. Working this Saturday and Sunday.


It seems as though the previous owner did NOT have any problem and judging from the stuff that accumulated, the rim sat flat on the rotor. What gives?

 

It looks to me that is just the way that rim is made. Put them & on torque the lugs. Spin the wheels, do you have any run-out or does the rim turn true? If it is true drive a bit & check the torque on the bolts. If it is OK & hasn't loosened I'd say it is OK. If those were mine I'd travel with a torque wrench & check them often.

 

+1
Also be sure to CLEAN your rotor with a wire brush...so you get a good mating surface.

 

Just as you thought, I figured that is how these are made. So mounted them and torqued them all the bolts down.

Just came back from a test drive and so far so good.

Just trying to think why they would spend more time grinding the cast down and end up with less mounting surface to create more stress from pressure..

I will take some pictures later today for fun.

 

What make of rims are these?

They may be designed like that to save a little weight. Should work for winter wheels OK.

 

Elbrus.

If they machine those lips and make the mating surface flat, it would be lighter?

Drove 10 miles on snow. No problems yet.

I aired down the tires to 27lbs. 30 rode like no suspension at all.

 

I am looking into our old specs for you.

 

Have been driving for over a week through snow, slush, wet... I can feel the difference how sticky these tires are. Dunlop Winteraports 3Ds.

Never had snow tires but I am definitely sold on them. Makes world of difference.

 

That's a good looking MINI!

 

Thx. Used to look like this. Did all the body work and paint and got it back on the road two summers ago. It was a project but it turned into a daily driver. Have been driving it every day since then. Gotta love 30MPG!

 

That's the way they have always been. The flange engages on the center ring and on the tips of the mounting pads. That design allows the wheel to flex slightly as it torques down and clamps to the hub.

 

Thank you for confirming this. Feel much confident now having them on.