16 replies to this topic

[ghostleader101]

Getting new tyres tomorow and the place I'm getting them at have a really good deal on 155/70/12 tyres
my wheels size are 145/70/12's so I was wondering if the bigger tyre size will fit?
It's only an extra 10mm :L

thanks
rob

[Cooperman]

I think you mean your existing tyres are 145/70 x 12, which possibly means you have 4.5" wide x 12" wheels.
The 155/70 x 12 will go on, but they will hit the inner front wheel arches on full lock and will make your speedo under-read.
They are not ideal for a Mini, but will fit and work.
Better to get 165/60 x 12 for a Mini.

[ghostleader101]

Ohh :/ yeah I have 4.5" wheels sorry

what I meant was will the slightly wider tyres go on the 4.5" wheels?
So 155/70 x 12 tyres on 4.5" wheels?

It's only because having 155/70 x 12 tyres are cheaper than 145/70 x 12 tyres :S

thanks
rob

[Kam]

Like Cooperman said your 4.5" rim can take anything upto a 165 width tyre, I'm running 165's on my 4.5" wheels

I'm not sure why the 155 tyre is cheaper than the 145, but when it comes to tyres cheap can sometimes not be a good thing, if its a reputable make then thats fine

If you run a 155 as mentioned above you will need to make the same changes as if you were getting a 165 as on full lock it will rub on the front lower wing and rears may catch on you shocks, especially if you got the earlier non spacered drums

Few places to try for tyres

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/

http://www.camskill.co.uk/

http://www.blackcircles.com/

Hth

[1984mini25]

They will fit, but they will look far too big and chunky too look right on a mini.

I’ve just recently bought a set of 145/70 r12 falkens for £28.50 each and £122 delivered off blackcircles.

[ghostleader101]

Ohh riht that's what he meant :L
it's only the front ones I need so having wider front tyres would look weird
the tyres I must admit are part worn ones, £40 for 4 tyres fitted and balanced :L there falklans too, I only will get them because I might be getting alloys soon. If I get them all done what will I need to change?
I currently have no arches but might be getting some sportpacks or something like that

I'm getting my engine tuned on Friday so shall I get them to re tune my speedo if I get them?
what would be the difference between 155 and 165's?

Rob

[Cooperman]

I built a 1990 Cooper to compete in Endurance Rallying and the regulations stated that we had to run on Colway Tyres. The only 12" size was a 155/70 x 12 and the problems were:

1. The tyres rubbed on the inner front wings at full lock.
2. I had to cut away and re-form the lips at the front of the front wings and re-paint locally.
3. The speedometer was under-reading.
4. It was difficult to get the spare wheel to sit in the spare wheel recess in the boot.
5. The road-holding was very inferior to the Falkens I used for non-Endurance events on the same car.

Also, the tyres are not of a size recommended or homologated for the car, so in the event of an accident there could be some issues. I didn't care, as I has special 3rd party rally insurance so it was not a problem for me.

If a 155/70 x 12 is significantly cheaper than a 145/70 x 12 or a 165/60 x 12 there has to be a catch, maybe in terms of quality or the length of time the tyre shop have had them in stock (= de-graded rubber maybe). You tend to get what you pay for in this life.

[1984mini25]

Ohh riht that's what he meant :L
it's only the front ones I need so having wider front tyres would look weird

If you only get a pair of the 155’s fitted they would have to go on the rear regardless, as they are the widest currently fitted to the vehicle. Witch wouldn’t be too bad on a rwd car, but on a mini being fwd it will just screw up the handling completely.

Plus if you thinking on getting sportpack arches you need at least a 12x5.5 or 13’s to be able to fill them.

[ghostleader101]

ohh right :/

was the change difficult?
when i mean cheaper they have them in stock the 155's and the 145's they have to bring in so cost a bit more
the company only get part worn tyres mostly so thats why its £40 for 4 fitted as they only want to get rid of them

they are only main brands and i wont have them for long.
ive been told if you go for 5" wheels you dont need to do any body mods? if so why would the tyres rub if there the size used (i think)
i probably would leave the spare tyre and only use it if i must, so that can be slightly smaller as that wont be on for long

Rob

[ghostleader101]

yeah thats why i might get all 4 done

the arches ive seen are slightly smaller than the sportpack suitable for 6x12's which is what i want to get soon

[Cooperman]

Ohh riht that's what he meant :L
it's only the front ones I need so having wider front tyres would look weird
the tyres I must admit are part worn ones, £40 for 4 tyres fitted and balanced :L there falklans too, I only will get them because I might be getting alloys soon. If I get them all done what will I need to change?
I currently have no arches but might be getting some sportpacks or something like that

I'm getting my engine tuned on Friday so shall I get them to re tune my speedo if I get them?
what would be the difference between 155 and 165's?

Rob

You really don't want to get 155/70 x 12 for a Mini as you'll end up with all sorts of issues.
Never buy part-worn tyres as you don't know their history.
You can't just 're-tune' a speedo, there is a lot more to it than that.
The difference between 155/70 and 165/60 is huge. the 165/60 is an approved size for the Mini, the 155/70 is not - simple as that.
It's not a question of looks, it's compatibility with the vehicle and 155/70 x 12 is not compatible.

[1984mini25]

Hold on 2 secs and I’ll did out the picks I have of the wheels I bought for the project mini, some 12x5” wellers fitted with 155/70 tyres and then after they were repainted and fitted with better 165/60 yokos.

[ghostleader101]

what will i have to do to the speedo?

with the 165/60 tyres would the car be lower as thats a smaller profile?

if i get the 165's would i still have the problem of rubbing, speedo etc?

Rob

[1984mini25]

Before with the 155’s


And one after with the wider, stick like **** to a bed sheet, 165 yokos.

Edited by 1984mini25, 06 June 2011 - 10:16 PM.

[Hooky]

I bought a mini with 12x5 wheels and had 155/70 tyres fitted, under full lock (just before infact) they rub on the arches. Get some 165/60 tyres, you have better brands available and they won't rub, the speedo will technically read different to if they were 145 but the difference is a lot less than with the 155 as they have such a large profile.

Or go for 145/70 as they will not have the possibility of needing spacers and your speedo will be as spot on as a mini speedo ever is.. Which I found never quite reliable..

And as for the height, I believe it's just over 2mm drop when using 165/60 opposed to 145/70. 155/70 actually increases the sidewall by like 7mm (14mm to the overall diameter). Which is why they rub and put your speedo out.