After the success of the primary era MINI R53, 2006 noticed the launch of the automobile that has arguably gone on to develop into probably the most ‘moddable’ of all of them: the second-generation MINI R56.
Obtainable new up till 2013, the Cooper and Cooper S (together with the world-beating John Cooper Works and restricted version JCW GP mannequin) have proved their price not simply on the highway, but in addition on nearly each circuit on the planet.
It’s simple to see why these MINI automobiles stay so standard; the R56 supplied an entire lot more room than the earlier mannequin, together with a brand new 175bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre ‘Prince’ N14 engine (able to 0-62 in 7.1 seconds) for the Cooper S. What we’re taking a look at, then, is a hard-hitting package deal for probably the most avid efficiency followers, in addition to for these hankering after a classy, economical and well-equipped Cooper-badged mannequin with a energetic, naturally aspirated 120bhp and a 0-62 time of 9.1 seconds.
Nearly inevitably, the R56 facelift got here alongside in 2010, seeing an entire load of upgrades throughout the vary – not least a brand new 1.6-litre BMW N18 engine for the Cooper S, offering 184bhp, a 142mph high pace, and a 0-62 time of 7-seconds useless.
And naturally, that’s not the entire story both. Let’s not overlook the base-model 1.4-litre MINI One, the collection of 1.6 and 2-litre diesel variants (together with the Cooper D and Cooper SD), the finances MINI First, and even an ‘environmentally pleasant’ model – the MINI One Minimalism.
However, what does this imply for the modified automobile fanatics on the market? Effectively, it merely means you will have way more alternative – and the power to buy round when in search of your good accomplice. From a modification standpoint a minimum of, the reality in regards to the second era MINI is that they’re all very related. In reality, other than the heavy tuning stuff, you’re not merely restricted to the Cooper S if you wish to construct your self one thing actually particular. With second-hand costs ranging between £600 for an early MINI One to £20,000 for a late John Cooper Works GP, there actually is one thing on the market for everybody.
So, regardless of which mannequin you select, right here’s our information to getting the very best out of your second era MINI with our decide of the ten biggest MINI mods of all time that you are able to do your self or get achieved from a spread of tuning and modification specialists within the UK.
Earlier than you dive into modifying your R56, be sure you learn our article on how standard modifications have an effect on your automobile insurance coverage and which automobile modifications are authorized so that you’re conscious of what to anticipate.
1. Air filter upgrades
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It’s not simply the MINI vary – an air filter improve is probably the most well-liked tuning mod for any automobile, so there will definitely be loads of efficiency filters and consumption kits out there for yours.
At its most elementary degree, tuning is all about airflow. The extra air – or, extra particularly, oxygen – you possibly can cram into the cylinders, the extra gas that may be burned. This leads to a much bigger bang and finally extra energy.
Fashionable fuel-injected automobiles utilise a panel filter contained inside the usual airbox. Because the engine sucks in air from the ambiance, this filter catches particulates to forestall them from getting into the cylinders and inflicting harm. Commonplace filters are constituted of paper and designed to get replaced at each service interval, however whereas paper is reasonable and supreme for filtration, it tends to limit airflow greater than different supplies.
What’s additionally vital right here is that, because the clear, filtered air exits the airbox (earlier than it enters the engine), the amount is monitored by the mass airflow (MAF) sensor, which tells the ECU how a lot gas needs to be delivered. Primarily, that is straight proportional to how a lot energy the engine can produce.
Apart from filtering out the particulates, the job of a efficiency air filter is solely to permit extra air to movement via. As you’d anticipate, this elevated quantity of cleaned air is monitored by the MAF and matched with elevated fuelling to provide extra energy. In essence, a efficiency filter (which is able to sometimes be constituted of foam or cotton gauze) permits your engine to breathe extra freely.
Direct-fit panel filters
Direct-fit panel filters are often the primary port of name, just because they are often put in into the usual airbox in a matter of seconds. These can be found from respected manufacturers, similar to Pipercross and Ok&N, and sometimes see beneficial properties of 3-4bhp. Not like paper filters they need to by no means want changing. In reality, as they’re priced at round £40, technically they pay for themselves over a automobile’s lifetime.
Upgrading the airbox
By nature, the usual airbox additionally creates a restriction, however it is a trade-off between airflow and defending the filter from under-bonnet warmth. Scorching air accommodates much less oxygen by quantity, and which means it’ll truly lose you energy. For that reason, a well-liked authentic tools producer (OEM) improve for the Cooper S is putting in a second-hand airbox from the John Cooper Works (JCW) mannequin, just because it permits larger airflow. Mixed with a efficiency panel filter, it’s an efficient and comparatively low-cost improve.
Turbocharging MINI Cooper efficiency fashions
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The final word resolution for the turbocharged efficiency fashions – particularly the place airflow turns into the precedence to permit for additional tuning similar to turbo upgrades – is a specifically designed chilly air consumption. These assist the engine produce a number of extra horsepower and, though they differ in design, the essential thought is to utilise a bigger cone-type filter reasonably than a flat panel. The form permits for a better efficient floor space, which in flip will increase the potential for higher airflow.
There’s a spread of top-quality chilly consumption kits out there, however maybe probably the most famend by Cooper S and JCW fans comes from tuning specialists AEM. Their all-in-one consumption system not solely utilises a big cone filter contained inside its personal high-flow airbox, but it surely additionally bolts on to the bonnet scoop to choose up the utmost quantity of chilly, oxygen-dense air. At round £600 it’s not the most cost effective choice on the market, however it’s dyno confirmed for beneficial properties of round 20bhp.
2. Efficiency exhausts and sports activities cats
In case your air filter limits your MINI inhaling, consider your exhaust system as controlling the speed at which your MINI is ready to breathe out. In tuning phrases, it’s simply as vital to get the waste gases out of the cylinders as rapidly and effectively as potential as it’s to cram the air in.
The science behind exhausts is lengthy and complicated, however the primary level right here is that customary exhausts supply all kinds of restrictions to the optimum gasoline movement, sometimes via the bends, silencer containers, resonators, and the comparatively small diameter bore. Being constructed from delicate metal, they’re additionally significantly prone to failure introduced on by corrosion.
Technically talking, for max efficiency beneficial properties, a freer flowing exhaust of a bigger bore that’s optimised for movement will inevitably release extra horsepower. In a super tuning world, in fact (a minimum of on a turbocharged automobile just like the Cooper S), you’d have a straight pipe with no bends, silencers or resonators… however clearly that’s not potential, partly due to the route that the exhaust has to take below the automobile, and principally as a result of it might be horrendously noisy. As an alternative, all exhaust techniques – customary or in any other case – are designed with a trade-off between energy potential, noise, and producer prices.
The reality is that, as OEM objects go, the usual MINI Cooper S exhaust is nicely designed and the JCW unit is even higher in terms of optimising gasoline movement. For a begin, it’s straighter than the system on most different automobiles due to the centre exit configuration. However this doesn’t imply that the setup can’t be additional improved for higher movement and longevity by going aftermarket. There are barely extra bends within the structure of the naturally aspirated fashions in fact, however that solely makes these much more ripe for enhancements.
Stainless-steel ‘cat-back’ replacements
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Stainless-steel ‘cat-back’ replacements from high-end producers similar to Scorpion Exhausts and Milltek are extraordinarily standard. These are optimised over customary with a smaller, high-flow rear silencer (often called the again field) and a bigger diameter bore, and so they dispose of the centre resonator altogether for higher movement and to provide a far throatier tone. For a lot of MINI house owners, the efficiency ‘grumble’ these efficiency techniques supply is simply as vital as a gentle horsepower hike. In reality, if there’s just one mod you’re contemplating, it’s most likely this one.
As with most fashionable petrol automobiles although, the true sticking level is the catalytic converter, extra generally often called the catalyst, or cat. That is the half that converts the toxic exhaust gasses into much less dangerous C02. Of all of your exhaust system elements, this would be the most restrictive as a result of the cat accommodates an enormous variety of particular cells that the exhaust gasoline has to weave its approach via on the best way out. The cross-section just isn’t not like a bit of honeycomb and, as you possibly can think about, that serves up fairly the restriction. So, in a super efficiency world a minimum of, you’d merely exchange the cat with an unrestricted pipe, or a ‘de-cat’. Extra gasoline movement equals drawback solved, proper? Effectively, sure, until you truly wish to drive on the highway…
Sadly, UK MOT laws require a catalytic converter to be in place and it’s inspected each visually and thru the dreaded emissions take a look at. Which means that, whereas it’s completely authorized to purchase and match a de-cat for observe use (the costs for which begin at round £150), the one road-legal resolution when it comes to efficiency is to improve to a sports activities cat.
Improve to a sports activities catalytic converter
A sports activities cat is a high-flow catalyst designed with a restricted variety of cells (sometimes 200 or generally 100). These nonetheless promote the response to create CO2 and are developed to cut back emissions to MOT requirements, however additionally they serve up a lot much less of a restriction to the general gasoline movement. You’ll additionally discover that these are usually way more standard over efficiency exhaust techniques for critical tuners, and so they’re usually included within the package deal by firms providing complete Stage 2 tuning bundles.
Specifically developed by the larger producers – similar to Scorpion Exhausts, Cobra Sport Exhausts, and Akrapovic – sports activities cat costs vary from round £350 to £1,000 relying on design and movement charges.
3. Stage 1 remaps
Historically, any automobile with BMW DNA – of which the R56 MINI actually suits into that class – responds nicely to remapping. A lot so {that a} primary Stage 1 map on a Cooper S or Cooper D will yield as a lot as 30-40bhp, with no different mods. And let’s not neglect that it’s a fast and easy plug-in job via the OBD2 (diagnostic) port. There’s additionally – albeit lesser – beneficial properties available throughout the remainder of the R56 MINI vary.
There’s a very good purpose that MINIs love a remap – it comes all the way down to their intensive distribution and, in lots of instances, worldwide recognition. Remapping is all about optimisation for the given circumstances. Commonplace software program is designed to compensate for a lot of variables, to maintain the engine secure in probably the most excessive circumstances.
In different phrases, your MINI has to function simply as reliably at -40°C within the Arctic Circle because it does at 40°C within the Center Jap desert. There are additionally different safeguards for altitude (much less oxygen within the air signifies that gas doesn’t burn fairly so keenly) together with poor high quality low octane gas and a scarcity of excellent high quality elements for primary servicing. Principally, all the issues that we’re unlikely to return up in opposition to right here within the UK.
A stage 1 remap is designed to optimise the engine parameters, similar to timing, fuelling, ignition, and turbo enhance (when relevant), to profit from the driving circumstances in that individual space. That is the place you see the additional energy launched. In some instances, chances are you’ll even get extra MPG because of the cleaner gas burn… that’s assuming you don’t change your driving fashion since you’ve simply bagged an entire load of additional horsepower!
Can a stage 1 remap harm the car?
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As for whether or not a software program mod like a stage 1 remap will harm your engine, the reply is that it’s extremely unlikely. Assuming the service schedule is stored to and the engine is in good situation with out one million miles on the clock, a stage 1 map is a gentle software program tweak designed to stay nicely inside engine tolerances. You simply have to keep in mind that the remainder of the drivetrain elements should be as much as the job too.
Drivetrain issues on the MINI are uncommon as a result of they’re barely overengineered from the manufacturing facility to have the ability to stand as much as important energy will increase over customary. That stated, there are circumstances for any automobile the place the drivetrain can develop into the weakest hyperlink. If, for instance, your clutch is worn and already on its approach out, any important torque improve may tip it over the sting. For probably the most half, although, a stage 1 remap is an effective way to securely improve energy and torque with minimal effort.
4. Stage 2 tuning packages
If a stage 1 remap is about optimising the engine parameters from the manufacturing facility, additional mapping is a solution to optimise the settings for different bolt-on modifications. In reality, previous the primary stage of mapping, the software program is written to regulate engine settings to date that they really require these {hardware} modifications to make the claimed energy. It’s a symbiotic relationship between {hardware} and software program, and once more, a lot of the method is down to securely matching elevated airflow with the optimum quantity of gas.
Whereas it’s true that bolt-ons – similar to a freer-flowing efficiency exhaust – sports activities cats and high-flow filters will yield a small energy hike on their very own, the ECU can solely modify to date when it’s solely counting on the usual car sensors. To profit from the additional airflow via the engine, a stage 2 remap is designed to optimise the fuelling and timing to yield the optimum energy output. However there are security considerations for probably the most extremely tuned engines.
What to think about earlier than you get a stage 2 remap
Engines working more durable get hotter, so whereas a stage 2 remap on a Cooper S mannequin will yield considerably extra energy because of the improve in turbo enhance, it’ll additionally require an uprated intercooler to maintain the cost temperatures at a suitable degree. Uprated high-flow intercoolers designed for extra environment friendly cooling can be found from efficiency elements specialists similar to Forge Motorsport and AIRTEC. Costs begin at round £500.
You should purchase all these bolt-ons individually in fact, however you’ll additionally discover that many firms supply full stage 2 tuning packages that comprise all of the {hardware} required, together with the software program to optimise their efficiency. A stage 2 setup with MINI specialist A Reeve Efficiency can yield 250-270bhp with 340-360Nm of torque on earlier Cooper S fashions fitted with the N14 engine, and 260-280bhp with 350Nm on later automobiles with the N18 engine. In each instances, the software program is designed to cap the torque determine so it isn’t an excessive amount of for the usual clutch to deal with.
5. Stage 3 turbo upgrades
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On the turbocharged variants a minimum of, that’s not the place the {hardware} tuning has to finish. When a automobile comes with pressured induction, there’s at all times the chance to wind up the enhance past the bounds of the unique turbo. Let’s say you’re seeking to improve your Cooper S to round 300 horsepower, you’ll be heading rapidly in direction of a Stage 3 tune, which is able to throw an uprated turbocharger into the combo.
There are numerous approaches geared toward totally different budgets right here: a hybrid turbo, aftermarket bolt-on kits that comprise a bigger turbocharger, or, in some instances, upgrading the usual Cooper S turbo to the higher-boosting unit discovered within the JCW mannequin. However the aim is at all times to put in a turbocharger able to producing extra enhance than customary, or, extra particularly, a turbocharger able to forcing extra pressurised air into the engine.
Once more, when becoming a better boosting turbo, the software program have to be upgraded to profit from the additional airflow, so a stage 3 (or larger) map can be required to regulate the fuelling and different parameters.
Besides, the ultimate energy output will at all times rely upon the quantity of enhance that the turbo is bodily capable of produce, and this may at all times differ between the totally different improve sorts. A JCW turbocharger might not create as a lot enhance stress as a hybrid turbo, and a hybrid might run out of puff earlier than a package with a bigger turbo, and this all comes with a big trade-off in prices.
In the event you’re in search of the best energy figures, MINI specialist Lohen gives a well-liked bolt-on Stage 3 Huge Turbo Package able to making round 320bhp and near 400Nm of torque. This package is round £1,650, however you’ll additionally should finances £600 for the stage 3 software program… and it solely works with an AEM Chilly Air Consumption.
What to think about earlier than you get a stage 3 improve
All the time keep in mind that, because the enhance goes up, so does the facility – and so does the chance of failure from the usual engine internals. It goes with out saying that any upgrades needs to be carried out on a wholesome engine however even then, most specialists advocate rebuilding the engine with stronger, fully-forged internals when taking enhance past the 20-21 PSI mark (the usual turbo on the inventory map solely boosts to round 12 PSI). Becoming cast pistons and rods isn’t an affordable course of although, and also you’ll have to discover a specialist. It might hold your engine secure at larger energy ranges, however you’re taking a look at a invoice nicely into the hundreds to place all of it collectively.
At this stage, there’s additionally the query of the clutch. By most accounts, customary Cooper S clutches are good for as much as 400Nm of torque (and round 450Nm on the JCW fashions), however by now many MINI house owners will already be taking a look at an improve, particularly for more durable pushed automobiles. A few of the finest efficiency clutches for the MINI will be discovered at Helix Autosport and Sachs Efficiency, with costs ranging from round £350.
The final query right here is, if you happen to haven’t received a turbocharged MINI, is an engine swap a viable choice? Effectively, we’ve seen many engines transplanted into R56 MINIs over time – every little thing from Honda VTECs to BMW V8s – however there’s no doubting that it’s a pricey affair. Upgrading to a Cooper S engine in a Cooper or One mannequin can be potential, however then once more, the truth that you should buy an entire Cooper S for below £2,000 these days, makes all that expense and energy fairly redundant.
6. Suspension upgrades: coilovers
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Let’s not neglect that it’s not all about energy although. The MINI is famend for its go-kart dealing with and there are various, many suspension upgrades out there to make it drive even higher – or a minimum of present the improved seems related to a drop in experience top.
These chassis mods aren’t restricted to the Cooper S and JCW fashions both; they cowl the complete vary. In reality, with every little thing from high-quality 25mm decreasing springs out there from Eibach to air suspension kits from the likes of Air Raise Efficiency, it’s tough to know the place to start out.
The important thing questions are:
- What are you in search of as regards to dealing with or seems?
- How a lot would you prefer to spend?
A set of springs will begin at round £150 and air experience kits round £4,000. Simply don’t neglect that the final word efficiency isn’t the primary aim for a lot of when deciding on suspension for his or her MINI.
When dealing with efficiency is the precedence, nonetheless, maybe the most well-liked suspension improve is a set of coilovers. Derived from racing suspension techniques, these bolt-on upgrades supply the sought-after top adjustability that many MINI house owners crave, together with the power to tweak the damping settings for a lower in physique roll via the corners and fewer dipping and ducking throughout acceleration and braking.
Bear in mind to do your analysis
The important thing with coilovers is to do your analysis in terms of getting the fitting model on the proper value. Many kits can be found for the R56 MINI, and you will get one for as little as £250. That being stated, you get what you pay for. In the event you’re not frightened about cornering and also you solely wish to decrease your automobile as a lot as potential – and as cheaply as potential – for aesthetic functions, selecting a package with a low price ticket is ok. But it surely’s price noting that an affordable package most likely gained’t final all that lengthy both.
In the event you’re seeking to push the dealing with efficiency into the realms of the circuit racer, a set of coilovers from a good firm similar to ST Suspensions, Bilstein or BC Racing will begin at round £800. It’s notable that the GP mannequin got here with a set of Bilstein coilovers as customary. KW Suspensions are additionally infinitely standard with MINI house owners and so they inventory a full vary of uprated setups geared toward each area of interest of the market – every little thing from primary highway kits proper as much as these designed for observe days and membership motorsport.
7. Chassis upgrades: brakes and bushes
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Different supreme chassis upgrades for all fashions vary from uprated polyurethane bushes and strut braces to full-on roll cages, and all have their place in stiffening the chassis for higher dealing with.
A set of ‘polybushes’ from Powerflex or SuperPro is a well-documented improve for the R56 MINI, just because the inventory rubber bushes are recognized to perish and degrade over time, significantly on automobiles which might be often pushed laborious. Polyurethane bushes gained’t perish and are stiffer than rubber, serving to to carry the suspension geometry and eradicate flex via probably the most excessive cornering. A full set for the MINI will be had for below £250, and there’s varied stiffness choices to select from.
Extra excessive suspension stiffening options, similar to strut braces and roll cages, additional eradicate flex by triangulating and stiffening key chassis factors. The one query is: how far do you wish to go? Strut braces can be found from varied producers, similar to OMP, for round £140, and roll cage costs begin from round £500 for a bolt-in rear cage and might go as much as about £2,500 for a customized weld-in merchandise for racing.
It goes with out saying that these will be extraordinarily specialist, however there are various consultants, similar to SW Motorsports, who’re well-versed within the artwork of becoming and fabrication on R56 race automobiles.
All this stated, arguably an important chassis improve of all of them – and the one which makes our high 10 – is uprated brakes. In any case, higher brakes not solely make your MINI safer, however additionally they make it real-world quicker!
Think about investing in a set of quick highway brake pads
Many house owners have reported {that a} set of quick highway brake pads from EBC Brakes or TAROX Efficiency Brakes are a worthwhile improve to considerably improve the stopping energy, but it surely doesn’t have to finish there. Matching your uprated pads with a set of direct-fit, uprated discs will additional enhance your potential to drag up rapidly and safely.
Uprated discs are available all kinds of configurations, however maybe the most well-liked are these with a grooved friction floor. These are designed to deglaze pads and assist the gases that trigger brake fade escape extra effectively.
After all, becoming bigger diameter discs and multi-piston calipers at all times supplies the final word brake improve, and the aftermarket serves the R56 MINI extraordinarily nicely. All the large names, similar to AP Racing, KSport, TAROX Efficiency Brakes, and Yellow Velocity Europe, supply huge brake kits in varied sizes that begin at round £1,000. There are many different choices on the market, too. Simply ensure your wheels are large enough to accommodate them!
As soon as once more, there are additionally the OEM upgrades, the very best of the bunch being becoming the discs and Brembo-made calipers from the JCW MINI to the Cooper or Cooper S – a straight-swap that’s proved infinitely standard over time. Proper now, you could find a set of JCW calipers on the second-hand marketplace for round £500.
8. Inside upgrades: alternative seats
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There’s no denying that the funky R56 automobile inside is likely one of the features that made it extraordinarily standard. Once more, one of the vital frequent upgrades within the MINI neighborhood is solely to profit from the wealth of OEM options on the second-hand market.
Taking the sports activities seats from a Cooper S or perhaps a JCW and becoming them to a base mannequin MINI will at all times be an amazing improve – in spite of everything, they bolt straight in and supply extra help proper out of the field.
Then once more, there’s final, after which there’s final, and maybe probably the most sought-after OEM improve is the £3,000 Recaro seat choice initially supplied within the JCW. It’s no shock that not many JCW consumers ticked that significantly costly field on the vendor, however that’s translated on to their availability now. In the event you can truly discover some, we hope you will have deep pockets!
The excellent news is that, with a set of direct-fit seat rails from round £200, aftermarket seats are extraordinarily simple to bolt in, and arguably supply the very best help for fast-road and observe use. Many MINI house owners look to producers similar to Cobra Seats, Recaro and Corbeau to seek out their good perches, and also you’ll discover a set of fixed-back bucket seats or adjustable recliners for nearly each finances.
9. Styling upgrades
For many MINI house owners, physique styling is stored with a level of subtlety in thoughts. With such good-looking seems from the manufacturing facility, it’s simple to see why. That stated, there are a number of low-cost and simple choices… together with some that may set you again an entire lot extra.
Once more, the OEM upgrades – extra particularly the MINI Aero Package initially fitted to JCW and the uncommon GP fashions – are a particularly standard alternative. The GP rear diffuser is especially revered within the MINI neighborhood and out there – brand-new – for £422 from Lohen. Additionally they supply the aerodynamic GP entrance undertray, giving your Cooper S some precise useable aero!
Elsewhere, different respected specialists, similar to RSI C6, manufacture an entire collection of elements, from spoilers and flared arches to carbon fibre door handles and bonnet scoops. However maybe the maddest within the enterprise is the well-known Stanceworks package from Liberty Stroll. We’re not suggesting that this loopy 8-piece widebody package is for everybody – beginning at £4,690, it’s actually priced on the unique aspect too. However, if you happen to’re seeking to construct the final word present automobile, it could be an choice.
10. Wheels and tyres
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It’s secure to say that, of all our high upgrades, altering alloy wheels needs to be the primary for recognition. The factor about wheels, although, is that they’re a deeply private alternative. There are actually lots of of designs and sizes on the market, some proving far more standard than others. So, with that in thoughts, we are able to’t make the selection for you right here – however we are able to actually provide help to alongside the best way with all of the related information.
All second-generation MINIs – together with the Cooper S and JCW fashions – use wheels with a 4×100 stud sample. Commonplace wheels vary in sizes between 5.5×15-inch and seven×18-inch, with offsets from round ET45 to ET52, and, principally talking, they’re all interchangeable. Which means that, if you happen to’d prefer to put a set of GP2 or JCW wheels in your MINI One, you possibly can. In reality, many individuals do.
Predictably, nonetheless, OEM choices aren’t the most well-liked within the MINI neighborhood – that’s the reserve of the aftermarket. That is just because there are various, many 4×100 wheels on the market – it’s truly one of many motoring world’s commonest stud patterns and covers every little thing from Vauxhalls and Datsuns to Hondas and VWs.
There are many choices in terms of wheels
In reality, over 850 totally different automobile fashions use 4×100 wheels, so that they’re not precisely laborious to seek out. Simply control these offsets, and keep in mind that the decrease the ET quantity, the extra they’re going to poke out and threat rubbing your arches. Offset is significant when selecting alloys in your MINI.
As they are saying within the wheel world, something is feasible, and we’ve seen every little thing from 8.5×15-inch wheels to 9×19-inch monsters fitted to R56 MINIs. The really useful vary by most producers and fans is as follows:
- diameters between 16 and 18 inches
- widths between 6.5 and eight.5 inches
- an offset vary of ET35-55
A few of the extra standard ‘sensible’ fitments embody:
- 8×17-inch (ET35) with 215/45×17 tyres
- 8×17-inch (ET40) with 195/40×17 tyres
- 7×18-inch (ET38) with 215/35×18 tyres
As with all ‘plus sizing’ workout routines, tyre dimension is essential and can differ in line with the wheel you select. Because the wheel diameter goes up, the tyre sidewall should have a decrease profile to bodily match below the arches. For probably the most aggressive fitments with wider wheels and tyres, suspension and arch modifications might also be needed. What’s extra, every little thing additionally will depend on you probably have lowered your automobile within the first place.
Briefly, it actually does pay to do your analysis earlier than making your wheel alternative, however the excellent news is that each one producers and their sellers will probably be blissful to assist with recommendation on what suits your automobile and – most significantly – what doesn’t.
Bear in mind to take out modified automobile insurance coverage in your MINI
Determined to make the leap on a number of of the modifications on this listing? Whichever modifications you select, be sure you take out modified automobile insurance coverage. At Adrian Flux, we cowl all forms of modifications and might do that on a like-for-like foundation or supply agreed worth cowl. We additionally supply tailor-made automobile insurance coverage for modified MINIs. Name us on 0800 081 0777 for a free, no-obligation quote.
