Tires, Wheels, & Brakes Discussion about wheels, tires, and brakes for the new MINI.

Can I swap my 15" steelies for S-Lites?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 10-07-2009, 07:43 PM
levosgien's Avatar
levosgien
levosgien is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Miami
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can I swap my 15" steelies for S-Lites?

I have a 2008 Mini with the generic 15" steelies on there, I believe the details are: 175/65-15

Can I replace them with the S-Lite factory wheels without needing spacers etc (205/45R-17)

I am not sure, but my car I THINK would be the second generation Cooper/One that fits all...but I'd need confirmation please.

Thanks for the help, MUCH appreciated.

Edit: I saw this table on another forum. Is that true?
 

Last edited by levosgien; 10-08-2009 at 06:19 AM.
  #2  
Old 10-08-2009, 09:57 AM
kazlot's Avatar
kazlot
kazlot is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can I swap my 15" steelies for S-Lites?

Yes you can, no spacers required for any OEM wheel.

A lighter weight 16 inch OEM wheel would be a better choice.
But that's just my opinion.

If you like the looks or price of 17 inch S-Lites then go for it.

Hope this helps...
 
  #3  
Old 10-08-2009, 10:03 AM
levosgien's Avatar
levosgien
levosgien is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Miami
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by kazlot
Yes you can, no spacers required for any OEM wheel.
Sweet, that's what I wanted to hear. So basically any of the factory wheels that Mini sells on its cars whether it's 15,16,17 and clubman or cooper S should fit directly (I am planning on buying the wheels completely and bolting them on myself).


Thanks Kazlot, you're the man.
 
  #4  
Old 10-08-2009, 10:39 AM
Eric_Rowland's Avatar
Eric_Rowland
Eric_Rowland is offline
OVERDRIVE
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 13,378
Received 45 Likes on 40 Posts
Yep - note that older MINIs had 12mm bolts vs 14mm on the newer ones, I don't recall if there was an issue with the bolts fitting.
 
  #5  
Old 10-08-2009, 11:11 AM
levosgien's Avatar
levosgien
levosgien is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Miami
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok cool thanks. What years is the cutoff year, in other words which is the first model to have 14mm bolts? (or by old you mean 1st generation?) Thanks.
 
  #6  
Old 10-08-2009, 05:06 PM
kazlot's Avatar
kazlot
kazlot is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can I swap my 15" steelies for S-Lites?

Originally Posted by levosgien
Ok cool thanks. What years is the cutoff year, in other words which is the first model to have 14mm bolts? (or by old you mean 1st generation?) Thanks.
The 2007's (second gen) were supposed to be the first year for the 14mm bolts but Mini changed early,
mid-year, July or August of 2006 but I'm not sure.

Tire Rack and most wheel mfg's list the change as May but my May 2006 build (first gen) has 12mm bolts.

First and second generation wheels are interchangeable and I believe that TPMS senders will fit in all OEM wheels but I'm not sure.

Ask you Mini Dealer, they will know for sure.

Hope this helps...
 
  #7  
Old 10-08-2009, 05:32 PM
muladesigns1's Avatar
muladesigns1
muladesigns1 is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
you can run up to 18"s with no problem.
 
  #8  
Old 10-08-2009, 07:00 PM
levosgien's Avatar
levosgien
levosgien is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Miami
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sweet, thanks guys.
 
  #9  
Old 10-28-2009, 04:52 AM
levosgien's Avatar
levosgien
levosgien is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Miami
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by muladesigns1
you can run up to 18"s with no problem.
Would I need to get 12mm bolts then? I'm worried about the difference in bolt sizes. If I do that's no problem I just need to know (would the tire install place have them? Price?) also, if I put 12mm in a 14mm hole isn't that going to cause issues?

Thanks for the help guys.
 
  #10  
Old 10-28-2009, 05:05 AM
iwashmycar's Avatar
iwashmycar
iwashmycar is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 3,313
Received 102 Likes on 92 Posts
if you use 1st gen wheels you may need 12mm bolts so that they fit through the 1st gen wheels....but if your using 2nd gen wheels your 14mm bolts (on your 08) will fit no problem.

people w/ 1st gen cars can use the 2nd gen wheels with thier 12mm bolts just fine as the rims are hubcentric.
 
  #11  
Old 10-28-2009, 06:09 AM
levosgien's Avatar
levosgien
levosgien is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Miami
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by iwashmycar
i..but if your using 2nd gen wheels your 14mm bolts (on your 08) will fit no problem.
Ok so if I am getting 2003 OEM Mini Rims I can put those on my 2008 Mini without any issues with bolt sizes right? I think first generation is like the old ones, if so I'm in good shape.

Thanks!
 
  #12  
Old 10-28-2009, 06:36 AM
iwashmycar's Avatar
iwashmycar
iwashmycar is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 3,313
Received 102 Likes on 92 Posts
ohh your putting 1st gen (03-06) on a 2nd (07+).

so your putting wheels designed for 12mm on your 08 (i assume coupe) which is 14mm

I dont think they will fit with your 14mm bolts. Dont know for certain if they can be drilled out 2mm either... I would think so, as they are hubcentric....now that is assuming 1st gen hub size is the same...56.1mm i believe

EDIT: just try em.

On July 12, 2006 the size of wheel bolts was changed from M12x1.5 to M14x1.25. There exists a misconception that this change in wheel bolt size precludes fitting early OEM wheels on later model cars. This is simply not true as all OEM wheels have holes large enough for either size wheel bolt.
thus they have holes that can accomodate both 12mm and 14mm regardless of year ..
 
  #13  
Old 10-28-2009, 09:03 AM
levosgien's Avatar
levosgien
levosgien is offline
Neutral
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Miami
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by iwashmycar
EDIT: just try em.
Ok I will it sounds about right. I don't want to buy them and figure that they're no good later (or they'll cost me an arm and a leg to fit).

Thanks again for the help
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MrBlah
SCCA Solo and ProSolo
7
02-01-2020 07:43 PM
shadtree
Cooper (non S)
1
09-08-2016 12:02 PM
ryGuyMCS
MINIs & Minis for Sale
3
10-06-2015 12:04 PM
B1mm3r101
1st Gear
3
10-01-2015 06:22 AM
DTIREY
R55 :: Clubman Talk (2008+)
1
09-29-2015 01:00 PM



Quick Reply: Can I swap my 15" steelies for S-Lites?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:43 PM.