18 replies to this topic

[Bobbins]

I'm looking to buy a set of 12"x5" Minilite wheels but I've found 3 different suppliers advertising what appear to be quite different wheels, all listed as genuine Minilites. Some have parallel mounting holes, some have 60 deg taper. Some have plain edges, some have an additional small edge lip. So what's the score?

[Furyan]

If your buying new wheels then get them from a reliable supplier like Minispares. I notice you are a TMF+ member so you will also get a discount from them I believe.

 

Also I think that the genuine Minilite wheels that have been made in recent years has "Minilte" and "England" cast into the rim edge so hard to fake that on a large scale and go unnoticed I would think.

[nicklouse]

you can not buy new Genuine Minilite wheels but you can buy many versions of "Minilite" wheels all of which are legitimate as the trademark is expired and no longer valid.

 

so pick a style and go for it. 

[timmy850]

There is a list on their website of the dealers. As above, they should have minilite cast into them 

http://minilite.co.uk/contact.php

 

Minispares is a dealer on their list http://www.minispare.../C-21A1904.aspx

 

 

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[Bobbins]

So is the "Minilite" being sold by Minisport, obviously a different wheel to the Minispares version, not really a Minilite? I've found 3 suppliers, 2 have the original logo'd centre caps, all different wheels! Minispares don't show a centre cap on their site and the Minisport version has the same product code as listed on the "Minilite" site. Minispeed is the third supplier I've found. It's as clear as mud!

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[Bobbins]

Nick, some time back I read the court judgement following the Minilite/JBW case regarding the copyright issue, it's surprising though that suppliers (not all) happily include the word "genuine". It seems there's a similar confusion with the Rosepetal wheels as well.

Stu.

[mab01uk]

The Shopshire based Minilite company Tech-Del is the manufacturer of the original wheel today and I believe Minispares were involved in their company rescue from administration a few years back:-

http://minilite.co.uk/contact.php

 

The Minispares 'Minilife' wheel is thought by many to be closer in design to the original 1960's magnesium Tech-Del Minilite used by the BMC works Minis. However Minispares also sell the genuine modern version of the Minilite by Tech-Del and I believe they own or have an interest in the company today. All other advertised non Tech-Del Minilite 'style' wheels are using the name for that style of wheel in the same way that many people call vacuum cleaners 'Hoovers'......

 

I bought my Minilite wheels below direct from Tech-Del....(but also available from Minispares).

 

My Japanese export spec. Minilite Mk 11 6x10 alloys with deeper dish ET-15 offset and fitted with Japanese Dunlop R7 Road/Race 165/70x10 tyres with the classic 1960's Dunlop CR65 tread pattern.

Edited by mab01uk, 12 September 2018 - 06:38 AM.

[Readers14]

These are Tech Del 5x12” from Mini spares.
Lovely looking wheels!

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[MikeRotherham]

Very interesting thread.

 

So what make of 'Minilite' did Rover fit as standard on their cars?

[surfblue]

Rover made their own version of the classic Minilite design,12" as standard Cooper fitment and 13" Sportpack. 

I had 12" Minilife's before and 10" GB's, all varieties on a similar theme.

IMHO the only style of alloy that really suits a Mini - controversial? - wait for the big debate 

[timmy850]

So is the "Minilite" being sold by Minisport, obviously a different wheel to the Minispares version, not really a Minilite? I've found 3 suppliers, 2 have the original logo'd centre caps, all different wheels! Minispares don't show a centre cap on their site and the Minisport version has the same product code as listed on the "Minilite" site. Minispeed is the third supplier I've found. It's as clear as mud!

In your minisport photo you can see it’s stamped 10x6 or 10x5.. they don’t have the right photo for 12x5 !

Edited by timmy850, 12 September 2018 - 08:54 AM.

[Bobbins]

 

So is the "Minilite" being sold by Minisport, obviously a different wheel to the Minispares version, not really a Minilite? I've found 3 suppliers, 2 have the original logo'd centre caps, all different wheels! Minispares don't show a centre cap on their site and the Minisport version has the same product code as listed on the "Minilite" site. Minispeed is the third supplier I've found. It's as clear as mud!

In your minisport photo you can see it’s stamped 10x6 or 10x5.. they don’t have the right photo for 12x5 !

 

 

Well spotted that man!!!

[Screwdriver]

The question is - are they magnesium like the original Minilites were? 

[mab01uk]

The question is - are they magnesium like the original Minilites were? 

 

See 'timmy850 post' below, but you would only really use the lighter magnesium version for competition use......and when original 1960's magnesium Minilites turn up these days for sale at a high price it is recommended they are carefully checked for corrosion and crack tested /X-rayed as they do not age well under stress.....(very early Mini gearboxes were also magnesium castings).

 

The safe use of Magnesium castings:-

http://aimss.com.au/...esium-castings/

Edited by mab01uk, 12 September 2018 - 10:02 PM.

[timmy850]

Minilite website http://minilite.co.uk/products.htm

“Minilite Magnesium

We continue to manufacture limited runs of original wheels in magnesium, primarily for racing purposes due to their high strength and low weight (33% lighter than aluminium). These are the ultimate competition wheel for racing and rallying where unsprung weight reduction is required without compromising strength and safety.”