Minilite wheels

I love Minilites (and Superlites and Panasports) on just about anything.  Here's a picture of Panasports on a 356B (or C?) Coupe.  Love 'em!

 

X-2 what Lane said.  The U.S. Distributor passed away so you may need to find out who took his place.  If you want the real ones from the U.K. anyway. 

 

New Mini Coopers come with Minilite wheels - 6-8" wide 15-17" ET40 4-100mm bolt pattern (other years had 35 and 38 ET).

 

http://www.porsche-restoration...eels-for-porsche.php

 

 

The 4 bolt minilite wheels that were made years ago for the 914 were 6.5"x15" so ideal for wide body but not classic.

Here's another pic of 5-lug [dark] minilites on a 356 coupe / one of my favs ..........................

Yes, John Targett (British ex pat) was the US rep. I worked with him about 5 years ago  to get a set for a BMW. Minilite in England will make to your specs. Here's their link: http://www.minilite.co.uk

Are they still magnesium?

 

Oh- used the link and answered my own question- yes, you can still get them in magnesium. They do aluminum as well (I would guess cheaper).

Al, I "think" they only do aluminum now. But they are nicely done.

 

Web site says - Minilite wheels are ‘Low-Pressure’ die cast, in high grade aluminium alloy.  No mention of what's in alloy or weight saving advantages.  OEM Fuchs are advertised as forged alloy - wouldn't that be better than low pressure die cast?  

 

"The process of forging aluminum, which requires great heat and immense pressure--the presses Fuchs used exerted as much as 7,000 tons of force--realigns the grain structure of the material in the direction of the flow and creates a more homogeneous and less porous microstructure. Forging makes aluminum as strong as steel for less weight and gives the wheels a notably higher resistance to fatigue and corrosion."

2/3 down the "Products" page- minilite magnesium.

 

Greg, you are right; Fuchs forged wheels are stronger and almost as light. I was just curious, as I knew Minilites were magnesium at one time.

Here is what I was thinking ofhttp://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/1a/55/b1/1a55b15f3806ef6e8c0196392b537c44.jpg

I've spent a lot of time on the internet looking for a minilite style wheel that would fit my IM.

You can get a minilite styled wheel (cast) for a reasonable price, but they're a bit on the heavy side and usually have a low offset (14 to 25mm range).  On my car (185/65-15 tires) a 25mm offset would work in the front, but wouldn't clear the fenders in the rear.

Another option is a custom made minilite styled wheel (example:  Superlite in England).  They're lighter, and can be ordered with a 40mm+ offset, but they're very pricey.

 

Here's a link to the Minilite site:  http://www.minilitewheels.us/styles.html

 

They have a 15x5.5" wheel, but the offset is 20mm.

 

Here's some more photos of coupes with minilite styled wheels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mini Cooper Ronal (minilite look-a-like) 6x16" wheel has a +40 offset - wonder if that work? New they are $540 set though plus redrilled rotor/drum and new 16" tire - ah, the Madness of it all.  16.25# each.  I do see mini wheels on CL though all the time -shame they aren't 4x130mm!

 

 

Here's set with 195x16 tires for $475.

 

http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/pts/4718156719.html

 

 

 

Greg,  What is the bolt pattern on those?  is it the 5 x 120 mm BMW pattern (or close to Chevy 5 x 4.75 inch.)?

Ooops. Nevermind. Just read the ad.

I have a near new set of minilite style wheels sitting in my basement, but I can't put them on my IM.

At 7" wide and 40mm offset they're too wide for my car and the bolt pattern (4x100) is wrong.

 

 

If someone was willing to go with the Chevy rotors

I think you could open up the BMW 5 x 120mm bolt pattern choices as well.

Though they look pretty much exactly like Minilites and fit the existing bolt pattern without modification, 8-spoke Empis just get no love at all, huh?

They're beginning to look a whole lot better, actually.

Seems like doing minilites is going to be a challenge?    I've got a post to John Steele and I'll see what he has to say about this.   

I tried to look into it a year or so ago, and they didn't have anything.  The EMPI 8-spokes don't look bad, but aren't as well made - or as expensive.

What's the Minilite challenge? Send them an e-mail and find out if they have a new USA rep. When John Targett was alive he was quite quick to respond to my inquiry.

 

 John, do you have the stock Beetle bolt pattern (4x130)?

Ron,  I don't know.  Car has disc brakes front and back beyond that I don't know.   

John Steele has gotten back to me.  It would require considerable modifications to the front brakes and some to the back.  Wheels not cheap so the minilites will be off the table for me.  Too much money for small esthetic improvement.   Can't see'm while driving anyways. 

FWIW - here's a pic of (Aircooled) Bruce's car with Empi 8-spoke (I think). If this is close to what you're looking for, maybe contact Bruce for info (do search above on Members listing).