I've searched the archives here on ausmini - some say bigger is better, some say it's what you do with it that counts...

What I want to know is people's thoughts on running 10 or 12 inch wheels and how easy it is to get decent tyres for these.

My intention is to run disc brakes (7.5 or 8.4 depending on which size wheels). Car will be a fun and lively daily/weekend runner (isn't that why most of us drive Minis?), but will definitely not be a track car and I have no intentions of fitting a turbo.

I've seen some threads discussing contact patches etc etc. Obviously smaller wheels will do more revolutions to cover the same distance as a larger wheel, but I'm wondering about other, more important factors.

Everyone seems to have their favourite tyres (and everyone seems to hate the Falkens - are they out of their Falken minds? ), but I'm wondering how long decent tyres will be readily available.

I'm thinking here of the Yoko A539 model no longer available, the A008 and A032 models not being listed in the Yokohama tyre catalogue (http://www.yokohama.com.au) and the Dunlop D93J and D01J, which are part of Dunlop's motorsport range and according to the website (http://www.dunlop.com.au) the D01J is no longer available in anything below a 15" fitting.

Obviously the Mini is an old vehicle, but I'm a new owner so I don't want to waste my hard earned when the time comes to put some wheels on my Mini shell !

Cheers in advance for your considered responses. As Leela says on Futurama, we don't want to hear about your ding dong.

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OK I'll bite..
I say handling is better on 10s than 12s, the Mini's rubber cone and hydro suspension was designed for 10s.

As for tyre choices- yes 12s are bad, 10s are slightly better at the moment.
The news of 165/60-10 A008's demise seems to be greatly exaggerated, whenever I need some and produce $$$ the tyres seem to appear by magic...
I believe right now, Bob Jane is the place to buy cheapest.

Only downside to 10s is that only Cooper S/Clubby GT 7.5 discs are a bolt on proposition for most wheels. Yes these brakes are dear NEW, but right now the list price of NEW 8.4s is even higher.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

i wish i didn't swap to 12's, i only did it to go bigger brakes, i have n't yet swapped my car to brake set up that i intended but i have driven another car with the 8.4's and 4 pots and it wasn't exciting, the 12's with rubber cone make you feel like im in a shopping trolley going down stairs,

so if i was to do it again i would go 10 x 6 and cooper s setup or that funny honda setup that i am still running,

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any parts for a 76 clubby pm me or ring 0405 329 326

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44717

Not really. The rim size is different, but the outside diameter (rolling) is pretty much the same.

I won't argue with the Doc, I would never do that but I think one would have to drive a lot of Minis over a lot of miles to really notice the difference in normal type driving..

Maybe on the track it might show up when handling is at it's peak but with new suspension and good 12" tyres the average Mini driver probably would notice the difference..

theres not much difference between 10's and 12's just pick what you like the look of, can get tyres you like for and suits your brakes.

I have had both 10's and 12's on the same car. The 10's win hands down in terms of road feel, handling, performance etc.

And for the record..... I don't mind Falkens. For anyone who just wants to drive their Mini and not push it into every single corner, they are fine.

Minis were designed with 10 inch tyres. Mini racers normally use 10 inch tyres. I've got 12s on my race car at the moment just 'cause I haven't fitted wide flares for the 10x6 i'm going to put on it and don't think 12s are that bad at all - they do look meaner and don't cause any real problems.

I was talking to Stuckey (Coburg, VIC) last week trying to convince me to go to 13s, with no arch modifications required (no, i'm not interested!)

If you think about the physics of the CV joint / driveshafts, larger wheels would be heavier, that means your putting more strain on your CVs / driveshafts, which could lead to a failure. A problem for road cars? Probably not.

The yokohama 12 inch tyres are excellent - i'm running a set of A539s and have used them on the road and on the track.

buztoy - I beg to differ

Yes A539s are great in 12s, but Mr Yokohama doesn't sell them any more...
And all he sells now that's better is A048R, they cost heap$ and wear too quick for much road use.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Mr. Yokohama is having trouble selling _any_ tyres.. they have serious supply problems apparently. Been waiting for a couple of Geolandars for the Forester for 6 months...

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

you cant really compare them unless you use the same tyre on both 10's and 12's.

Which you can't....

On a proper setup car there is not much difference, 10's tend to have a bit more feel on the limit though as you reach it.

I would stay away from 12's solely because of the tire choice.

10" tires will be available for a while yet. Especially in the UK there are a lot of minis still getting around Japan and they all need tires.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

dont forget all the late models came with 12's or 13's

This really comes down to two things only , choice of brakes and looks . Yes the choice of tyres is a little more limited for 12's but I'll leave that one alone as I haven't tried to buy any 12's . The brakes option just depends on what you've got or plan to get , if you have 12's then you can use whichever brakes you find if you haven't already got them (though some 12" wheels can foul 8.4" brakes I believe ???) . As for looks , well it depends on what you like . Personally I like 10's on roundies but think 12's look great on clubbies , but that's only me and everyones allowed their opinion .

There is the general opinion that 10's perform better , I haven't pushed a mini hard enough on 12's to really give an opinion of the difference but I know 10's feel a little more comfortable having slightly more tyre between the rim and the road .

It's also what I'm used to though and learnt to drive mini's when a michelin tyre was THE choice to have in 10" and Falken were only used by hillclimbers . The forst set of mags I bought were 2nd hand from a hillclimb car and had worn Falkens on them , I put new Bridgestone SF310 Turbo's on the front and the more usable Falkens on the back and got gross understeer , swapped them around and got oversteer so they were a real advance then .

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Classic roundnose Mini should be on 10s, and Clubmans on 12s, that's my opinion. Yokohama A008s are no problem to get, I was at Pat's Tyres on Newcastle street this morning and they said they could get them fine.

Leigh, are you more interested in the handling differences, or looks? If it's looks then I suggest coming along to a show 'n shine and having a look at some different cars and see what you think.

Brakes surely don't come into the equation as you already have 7.5s?