ausmini :: View topic - What are the best flares?

Bit of a thread hijack, but can anyone confirm if non-Mini flares are 'legal' on a Mini... On my roadster, I need flares because my wheels are way too fat for the guards, but I dont want to use standard flares because they wont fit the body work.

Is it for example the lip style fender extenders that are very Jap spec JDM??

Wheels
As a general rule, it is recommended you only fit wheels and tyres that are listed on the tyre placard or in the
owner’s handbook. These have been tested and proved for your car.
Sometimes the range of wheels listed by the manufacturer may appear to be limited. While it is recommended
that you only fit these wheels, the RTA does not oppose the fitting of wheels outside the range providing they are
safe for the vehicle.
An important requirement for all replacement wheels is that the wheel track must not be increased by more than
25mm beyond the maximum specified by the vehicle manufacturer for that vehicle.
Where non original axle or suspension components are fitted, the offset of the wheel in relation to the axle or stub
axle assembly used shall not be increased by more than 12.5mm each side of the vehicle based on the specifications
of the axle components used. If an axle assembly is shortened then the track width limit is taken as the axle
manufacturers original track dimension, less the amount the assembly has been narrowed, plus 25mm.

Minor changes to wheels
Wheels up to 26mm wider than the largest optional wheel recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for the
vehicle can be fitted without the need to notify the RTA.
The outside diameter of the wheel and tyre combination must be no more than 15mm over the largest diameter
wheel and tyre combination specified for the vehicle and not more than 15mm below the smallest diameter wheel
and tyre combination specified for the vehicle.

Vehicles that were not built to comply with ADR 24 (prior to 1973 for passenger cars)
Unladen Weight - up to 800kg
Maximum rim width - 6 inches

Front wheel drive vehicles
Except where the original manufacturer provides to the contrary, front wheel widths shall be no more than 26mm
greater than the widest optional wheel offered by the vehicle manufacturer

Author:	Wombat [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:26 pm ]
Post subject:	What are the best flares?
There appears to be all sorts out there so what are the better ones - go by price?

Author:	cush [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 5:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
Best flares is no flares Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Author:	Angusdog [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:43 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
Don't go by price. I needed Group 5 flares and the fibreglass around the mounting screw holes is way too thin and meant quite a bit of work to bring them up to scratch. A lot of it depends on how much your wheels stick out - that determines what flares you can choose from.

Author:	drmini in aust [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
I'll probably get flamed here but on an 850, Deluxe or `Matic which had no welded on metal lip, I like the el cheapo Innocenti/Mini City flares. But toss the supplied screws and fit SS ones, the stock ones rust bad. These flares fit reasonably well, can be painted if you want, and if you ever break one you can buy them singly new for ~$15 each here in Oz. They are wide enough to be legal with Contessas and 165/70-10s, so should be OK with your Pommy ones too. You can also get Bling SS covers from Minisport SA, for these flares, if that is your thing.

Author:	Timbo [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:45 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
I vote for the Aussie ones, they aren't very wide, fit neatly against the body and their concealed fixings look tidy. They can also be removed later with no visible damage to the body. I got my last ones from John Smidt, but that was 10 years or more ago. Tim

ausmini https://www.ausmini.com/forums/

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Author:	XC9000 [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
Timbo wrote: I vote for the Aussie ones, they aren't very wide, fit neatly against the body and their concealed fixings look tidy. They can also be removed later with no visible damage to the body. I got my last ones from John Smidt, but that was 10 years or more ago. Tim I agree if you have 4.5-6" wide wheels. If JS doesnt have them Karcraft did in July 2013 when i bought some. These are the exact shape of what was produced by BMC/BLMC noting that the later Leyland is marginally different at the front. These sit the neatest & conserve the originality all at the same time Wayne

Author:	Wombat [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
Just rang John - he is having 600 sets made as we speak - due in 2 weeks

Author:	winabbey [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
Wombat wrote: Just rang John - he is having 600 sets made as we speak - due in 2 weeks John's are made by the same manufacturer that made them for BMC/Leyland, using the original tooling.

Author:	IwannaMini [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:30 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
Bit of a thread hijack, but can anyone confirm if non-Mini flares are 'legal' on a Mini... On my roadster, I need flares because my wheels are way too fat for the guards, but I dont want to use standard flares because they wont fit the body work. Is it for example the lip style fender extenders that are very Jap spec JDM??

Author:	1018cc [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
Aussie flares are the ones that came out on the Mk2 S. Like this:

Author:	timmy201 [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:55 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
IwannaMini wrote: Bit of a thread hijack, but can anyone confirm if non-Mini flares are 'legal' on a Mini... On my roadster, I need flares because my wheels are way too fat for the guards, but I dont want to use standard flares because they wont fit the body work. Is it for example the lip style fender extenders that are very Jap spec JDM?? The flares might be legal, but more than likely the wheels and tyres aren't! You can read: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/ ... 9_rev4.pdf Quote: Wheels As a general rule, it is recommended you only fit wheels and tyres that are listed on the tyre placard or in the owner’s handbook. These have been tested and proved for your car. Sometimes the range of wheels listed by the manufacturer may appear to be limited. While it is recommended that you only fit these wheels, the RTA does not oppose the fitting of wheels outside the range providing they are safe for the vehicle. An important requirement for all replacement wheels is that the wheel track must not be increased by more than 25mm beyond the maximum specified by the vehicle manufacturer for that vehicle. Where non original axle or suspension components are fitted, the offset of the wheel in relation to the axle or stub axle assembly used shall not be increased by more than 12.5mm each side of the vehicle based on the specifications of the axle components used. If an axle assembly is shortened then the track width limit is taken as the axle manufacturers original track dimension, less the amount the assembly has been narrowed, plus 25mm. Quote: Minor changes to wheels Wheels up to 26mm wider than the largest optional wheel recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for the vehicle can be fitted without the need to notify the RTA. The outside diameter of the wheel and tyre combination must be no more than 15mm over the largest diameter wheel and tyre combination specified for the vehicle and not more than 15mm below the smallest diameter wheel and tyre combination specified for the vehicle. Quote: Vehicles that were not built to comply with ADR 24 (prior to 1973 for passenger cars) Unladen Weight - up to 800kg Maximum rim width - 6 inches Quote: Front wheel drive vehicles Except where the original manufacturer provides to the contrary, front wheel widths shall be no more than 26mm greater than the widest optional wheel offered by the vehicle manufacturer

Author:	womble99 [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:33 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
Wombat wrote: Just rang John - he is having 600 sets made as we speak - due in 2 weeks Sweet, can't wait to hear how they go. I have been looking forward to proper flares

Author:	Timbo [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 3:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
The Aussie ones can be a bit fiddly to fit. They require steel backings that attach to the lip of the wheel arch to extend them out. When I fitted mine I just made them out of a bit of scrap sheet metal, but it took a while. Tim

Author:	1071 S [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
I would suggest there is no such thing as "legal" flares.... or "illegal non-Mini" flares .... And Kev's suggestion is fine - until you want to get rid of them. I could strangle to PO that fitted the set to my S. And don't forget the "Gp 2" (ie slightly wider) version of the standard S items.. The best flares???? Ones that cover your wheels ... and are a style that appeals to you .... and that can be easily (no body welding required) removed if you - or a new owner - choose to do so. Cheers, Ian

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Author:	drmini in aust [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What are the best flares?
If you have Innocenti flares and then want to be rid of them, it's easier to fill, sand & paint the few tiny screw holes than pull welded metal strips off the body flange. IMO, YMMV of course.