11 replies to this topic

[beardylondon]

You know when you start off researching something and end up down a rabbit hole, well…

So I was thinking of buying 3 x more 10” x 4.5” reverse rims, as I have 1, as I thought it would be handy to have a spare set of wheels, that fit over my S discs.

Looking on eBay and complete sets are £500 odd, and people are selling a knackered single wheel for £60!

Anyway I thought I’d look at on mini spares and to my
surprise they sell a replica brand new, and painted OEW!

https://www.minispar...wheel-rim-white

Then I found these on eBay in alloy, I had no idea someone was making these in alloy, good weight saving, but probably not for me, but interesting. Also doesn’t look like OEW.

https://www.ebay.co....m/333325369834?

My question is, are the mini spares ones a good copy, would they match my original one, and out of curiosity has anyone bought alloy version?

Edited by beardylondon, 26 January 2025 - 12:41 PM.

[mab01uk]

The 4.4" 'reverse' rims were never fitted as a factory option (made by Dunlop I think for the aftermarket), so check the exact offset of your Cooper S 4.5" rims. The factory fit 4.5" rim option has less depth to the outer rim if you look carefully at the Minispares image to compare it with a reverse rim. (ie. the rim is welded in position the reverse way round) The 3.5" standard fit Cooper S rim was not very popular back in the day but is often the choice of todays 'show cars' which prefer to feature total factory standard spec.

The reverse rims were also used on Mini Se7en race Minis for many years to keep down costs until alloy wheels were later allowed under the rules.

 

Personally I don't think the alloy versions look quite right with their slightly elongated vent holes compared to the original steel versions but it all depends how close you want to look like the genuine article.

Edited by mab01uk, 26 January 2025 - 12:59 PM.

[beardylondon]

Thanks, so mini spares website is incorrect?

“These wheels were a factory-fitted option on the Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 Cooper S”

The 4.4" reverse rims were never fitted as a factory option (made by Dunlop I think for the aftermarket), so check the exact offset of your Cooper S 4.5" rims. The factory fit 4.5" rim has less depth to the outer rim if you look carefully at the Minispares image to compare it with a reverse rim.
The reverse rims were also used on Mini Se7en race Minis to keep down costs until alloy wheels were later allowed.

[DeadSquare]

As far as I remember, but I have no evidence to back it up:-

 

"Dunlop Reverse Rims" wheels, like a "Downton Stage One" cylinderhead, could be purchased from a BMC dealership and carried the factory blessing, if not the MOWOG guarantee.

[MrBounce]

Thanks, so mini spares website is incorrect?

“These wheels were a factory-fitted option on the Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 Cooper S”
 

The 4.4" reverse rims were never fitted as a factory option (made by Dunlop I think for the aftermarket), so check the exact offset of your Cooper S 4.5" rims. The factory fit 4.5" rim has less depth to the outer rim if you look carefully at the Minispares image to compare it with a reverse rim.
The reverse rims were also used on Mini Se7en race Minis to keep down costs until alloy wheels were later allowed.

 

I think you're getting confused. S rims were available in 2x fitments - 3.5" and the more popular 4.5". The Reverse Rims were AFTERMARKET and due to their different offset, were often fitted to drum-braked Minis to make them look like Coopers and Ss. I had reverse rims fitted to 2 Minis I had. One was a drum braked Mini 1000 (needed no arches), and the other was a modified Mayfair with 7.5" discs. The Mayfair with Reverse Rims looked like this:

 

If it had the 4.5" S wheels (as advertised by Mini Spares), they would fit under the standard archless bodywork with no need for wheelarch extensions. Mini Spares don't sell Reverse Rims to my knowledge.

Edited by MrBounce, 26 January 2025 - 03:05 PM.

[Shooter63]

I'm not going to comment on the reverse rim bit, but the few photos I've seen of the alloy version, they all have the same problem, when fitted to the car the wheel studs do not protrude past the end of the wheel nut, which to me seems a bit on the iffy side, perhaps the owners didn't fit the correct nuts, but something to think about?

Shooter

[Spider]

The original 4.5"  Cooper S Wheels, as fitted by the factory, when compared to the Standard 3.5" Mini wheel have an off-set that's extended inwards. From the outside of the car, they appear to have the same offset coming out.

As mab01uk mentioned, the factory never had or offered 'revers off-set' wheels.

[mab01uk]

Thanks, so mini spares website is incorrect?

“These wheels were a factory-fitted option on the Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 Cooper S”
 

The 4.4" reverse rims were never fitted as a factory option (made by Dunlop I think for the aftermarket), so check the exact offset of your Cooper S 4.5" rims. The factory fit 4.5" rim has less depth to the outer rim if you look carefully at the Minispares image to compare it with a reverse rim.
The reverse rims were also used on Mini Se7en race Minis to keep down costs until alloy wheels were later allowed.

 

 

Minispares website is correct, 4.5" rims were a factory-fitted option but NOT 4.5" reverse rims. The aftermarket Dunlop reverse rims were the same width as the factory 4.5" rim but with the rim reversed to give more outward offset. As said they were commonly used on drum braked Minis without the extra track width of Cooper S disc brakes and the spacer type rear drums.

Edited by mab01uk, 26 January 2025 - 08:24 PM.

[beardylondon]

Perfect, thanks for confirming, it all makes sense now, it’s been a while since I looked into steelies!

Thanks, so mini spares website is incorrect?

“These wheels were a factory-fitted option on the Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 Cooper S”

The 4.4" reverse rims were never fitted as a factory option (made by Dunlop I think for the aftermarket), so check the exact offset of your Cooper S 4.5" rims. The factory fit 4.5" rim has less depth to the outer rim if you look carefully at the Minispares image to compare it with a reverse rim.
The reverse rims were also used on Mini Se7en race Minis to keep down costs until alloy wheels were later allowed.

Minispares website is correct, 4.5" rims were a factory-fitted option but NOT 4.5" reverse rims. The aftermarket Dunlop reverse rims were the same width as the factory 4.5" rim but with the rim reversed to give more outward offset. As said they were commonly used on drum braked Minis without the extra track width of Cooper S disc brakes and the spacer type rear drums.

[Cooperman]

If a wider 10" wheel is wanted for a 997 or 998 Cooper it was necessary to fit either spacers and 'S' wheels or get the 4.5" reverse rims, which went straight on with no need for horrible spacers.

The original 4.5 x 10 'S' wheels as supplied from the factory didn't require wheel arch extensions.

[timmy850]

LP882 is the 3.5” factory Cooper S wheel
LP883 is the 4.5” factory option Cooper S wheel
LP918 is the 4.5” “reverse” aftermarket wheel which has an offset that suits drum brakes

The LP882 and LP883 are readily available as new reproductions
The LP883 is available as an alloy version which is a slightly different style to the steel wheel
The LP918 is occasionally available new:
https://www.minispar...uding-hub-caps/

[beardylondon]

Thank you, that explains it!

LP882 is the 3.5” factory Cooper S wheel
LP883 is the 4.5” factory option Cooper S wheel
LP918 is the 4.5” “reverse” aftermarket wheel which has an offset that suits drum brakes

The LP882 and LP883 are readily available as new reproductions
The LP883 is available as an alloy version which is a slightly different style to the steel wheel
The LP918 is occasionally available new:
https://www.minispar...uding-hub-caps/