Any idea?

Trying to compare wheels from the UK, and they're either measured in millimetres or listed as 'S' offset. Makes it a bit hard to compare the two.

After a 10x5 that will clear only slightly flared arches and discs/spacered drums.

I know my current ones are 'S' offset contessas, so after pretty much the same!

Thanks in advance.

Hi

I think you'll find that S offset is what you want with discs and spacered drums. The spacered drums is the key, they should be 1" further out than standard so this will be the measurement you are asking for.

Cheers
Steve

_________________
1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

Contessas only came in 2 Offsets, regular mini offset and LS offset.

Regular offset means they are dished inwards 1inch and LS offsets they are nearly flush with the outside of the wheel rim.

Not sure where you got S offset from, they never came in S's only Leyland LSs. S's as far as I know only came with steelies of various types.

All this means is that if running non spacered drums, you need mini offset contessas. If running LS contessas you need spacered drums or 7.5 inch disc brakes (with some mods to the calliper) or else the normal contessas over spacers drums will make the wheels stick out and need flares. If you have non spacered drums you can't run the LS contessas cause the wheel will rub on the body on the inside. Clear as mud?

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Minilite and a few other companies describe their wheels as 'S' offset, without giving the actual measurement of the offset.

I'm assuming I'm running LS type Contessas, because the centreline of the wheel is pretty much flush with the outside of the wheel rim.

What I'm after is the actual ET measurement this translates to. Thanks for the rough measurements, I'm assuming it's quite a positive offset.

Maybe I should just measure it! My car's 300km away at the moment though...

Thanks for your help!

Average pic here if it illustrates it any better - standard or LS offset?

There were two factory Contessa wheels.

The first was offered as an option on the Clubman GT and fitted to all SS models. These were 5.0" in width. The measured offset (inwards) was the same as Cooper S and Mini S (also 4.5") rims, with an extra 1/2" outwards.

The later ones are dimentionally the same as the Cooper S rim at 4.5" width and same offset. These were fitted to the (998) LS only from the factory. The ET of these is 35 to 36mm.

Yours appear from your pics to be the latter types.

_________________

Yes yours are the LS offset contessas with shallow dish

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Cheers. Thanks.

I think I'll be keeping them. Seems to be difficult to find anything with that positive an offset.

If you do decide to sell them, you'll always find a buyer with the group Nb racer guys

_________________
Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

They are a avery sort after wheel. I had 3 sets, but sold 1. I have not seen any for sale for many years...

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

I think I'll sell them a few years down the track when I get around to fitting flares.

If I'm going to widen the track and need flares I'll go all the way and fit 10x6 genuine minilites.

Hopefully the Contessas will be worth even more then and that will offset some of the cost!

Yoko A048Rs will go on them in the meantime. The Dunlops are crazy bad in the wet.

Cheers.

How come mini owners are the only ones who don't use the correct offest terminology and dimensions?

If you get onto a jap car forum you'll see people roudnly criticised for advertising wheels without giving the full dimensions. Eg my watanabes were 15X7 with 36mm positive offset. The 36mm was the distance of the mounting face from the centre of the wheel.

If all mini wheels were described correctly there would be heaps less confusion and people could calculate their track width and requirement for flares.

I'm off to the shed to do some measurements...


M

Exactly.

Even most of the websites for ordering them down have the actual 'ET' for offset.

It should be especially important for us, because pretty much any extra width in a mini needs flares.

Also annoys me that no-one seems to make a very positive offset wheel for fitting under standard arches. Surely there'd be a significant market there?

Some info on a new thread I started.

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66365

This is interesting, because I have Contessas/Contestas in two offsets but they are both 5.0 inch rims.
I always assumed one was the SS type and the other the LS type.

Can you tell me what I have here?
Did ROH/Cheviot make aftermarket 10x5s that were different from the 'factory' sizes?

The ones on the Left in your pic I have to say that I have never seen before or if I have, never paid particular notice too. I am not aware that they were factory fitted or optioned. Are they marked in any way with a brand / type?

The ones on the right are the same as those offered as an option on the Clubman GT and fitted to the SS. My first 2 GTs and my brother's GT had / have these as does our SS. The tyre placard on the SS also says they were a 5.0" Rim.

I have no doubt that Cheviot and possibly ROH offered these in a multitude of widths and offsets. I have seen them in 5.5" widths too but unsure of the ET of these.

SS Tyre Placard



<EDIT> Pic of the SS, with the factory fitted wheels



<End Edit>

LS Suppliment

_________________