I have done some measurements. For the rears these number definately work. For the fronts, not confirmed yet.

If you want 10x5 wheels to fit without flares on stepped drums then they should have an offset (ET) of 37mm like the LS Contessas. These give just enough clearance to the trailing arm when using A032R 165/70/10 tyres. I measured Falken FK07E 165/70/10 tyres as being 6mm wider over the sidewalls so they would tighten the gap to the trailing arms. Even this small amount may mean they rub. Any larger offset than 37mm will lead to rubbing on the trailing arms. You could probably go a few mm less offset, say to 34mm.

If you want to run Mk2 S flares (or innocenti/rover plastic ones), which on the rear give 21mm more width at the top than the standard wheel arch trim, and you want the 10x5 wheels to fill the arches then you need an offset of 16mm. Coincidently, the 'SS' or 'standard' Contessas have an ET of 17mm.

If you want to run Mk2 S flares and the widest rims possible with the tyres not sticking out more than those above, while using stepped drums, then the size should be 5.5x10 with an ET of between 23mm to 31mm.

If you want to run Mk2 S flares and the widest rims possible with the tyres sticking out just 5.5mm more than those above, while using stepped drums, then the size should be 6x10 with an ET of 24mm.

It is very disappointing that Midland and other suppliers of wheels for minis can't/don't/won't publish offsets. Any reasonable supplier for any other type of car sure does. I suggest asking them to give you the ET/offset for any wheel you are considering and check against the above.

Have you noticed how many people are buying the 10x6 Mambas then having to get bigger flares? I suspect their offset is more like 16mm when it should be 24 for the nest fit.

M

I went looking on the minilite website and couldn't find references to the FIA spec, got a link?

This gets confusing! I'm curious as to whether I could run Minilites (not Minilights / Minilifes / etc) over my standard Cooper S 7.5" discs + stepped rear drums without flares or other modifications, and how much it would affect the car's handling and braking performance relative to the same tyres fitted to 5x10 wheels. Anyone know what the "correct" offset is (i.e. which ET figure you would quote / request) ?

Would there be any problems fitting the popular 165/70/10 tyres like Dunlop D93J, Yokohama A032R or Yokohama A008?

We supply two different offsets on both the 4.5x10 and 5.0x10 Minilite wheels the D being for the standard drum braked Minis and the DS for the Cooper S or Minis that have been converted to disc brakes on the front and Minifin drums on the rear with the inbuilt 10.0mm spacer.

The 4.5x10 wheels will fit inside the bodyline without flares but the 5.0x10 requires the fitting of the small flares.

Like Audrey Hepburn, almost everybody loves the Mini. The only people who didn't love the Mini were pathetic, empty people.

Like Audrey Hepburn, almost everybody loves the Mini. The only people who didn't love the Mini were pathetic, empty people.

So why can't they just quote the offsets in their reply instead of just saying they are different to suit different brakes? Frustrating.

Like Audrey Hepburn, almost everybody loves the Mini. The only people who didn't love the Mini were pathetic, empty people.

Standard (non-LS) 10 x 5 Contessas on standard drums fill out the guards of an 850, Deluxe or K nicely without needing flares.

Cheers,