Rims - Yummy!

So i was reading on the forums and there was a topic "WOW Mambas are back!!"

It grabbed my eye pretty quick, so i had to check it out. What they were referring to were the Mini limited Mamba rims. These were quite a rare rim that from my knowledge only came in 10". Following the links, it seemed that Minispares and Midland Wheels were making replicas of these. And the best part is they made a 12" by 6" wide rim, Black with a polished lip.

I had been looking at rims since my project started. My options were plenty but my decision was either Minilites or Starmags, both being the 12" size. I didnt really like the look of 13" on some minis and from some peoples opinions the Mini doesnt drive the same. The best part also, was that the 12" had a nice offset making them hang out a few inches without looking like a boy racer, although they did put the track out a little bit. Not a good thing since i was upgrading my brakes to 8.4" Vented discs, which again would put the track out further.

In Australia, the legal limit you can take the track out is 25mm. From reading on forums if you were to upgrade to vented brakes this would be close to its limit, then if you were to get some wider rims, this would push the track beyond the legal limit. But what most people have done, is because the vented discs are coming from the Metro Turbo vehicle, which uses the same engine, subframe and similar brake components, is use the slimmer drive flange.

Since i was purchasing the rims from Minispares, whom also made a replica Metro Turbo drive flange. It was obvious i would purchase these at the same time. Stuffing the drive flanges in the rim boxes, no worries!!

I got the Black Mambas in almost record time. They were sent out Monday and i received them Thursday morning. Quicker than if i were to purchase anything interstate. I did have a problem with tyres though, Minispares didn't do these in a package so i was forced to buy the tyres separate, but in doing so would incur a installation fee of the tyres onto the rims, and this would void the warranty if i wanted to send them back. I backed out of purchasing the tyres as they weren't a necessity, and i remember i did have some 12"x5.5" rims with tyres sitting on my 'beat around the bush' Mini in the garage. It was sorted!! Once receiving the rims, i took all 8 and asked Bob Jane to swap the tyres and balance them. $64 later i had some sleek wheels.

Here are the rims trail fitted on the garage Mini.

I also received my drive flanges that i later put side by side. It isnt obvious in the image unless i post more, but the main difference is that the main face is slimmer and you can tell this by the bolts that bolt to the disc. If you look closely the Metro Turbo flanges have less of a recess for the bolts. Another but obvious difference is that the back side of the flange which goes through the disc is longer so that it sits against the CV joint. This is to allow the extra width of the vented disc to sit and spin. And lastly the longer wheel stud bolts.