It turns out the A539s on 13 x 5s are within two tenths of an inch of the overall height of the most popular 165/70-10 A008s or Falkens. They probably do weigh marginally more, but I'll bet those tall sidewalls on the 10 inch tires aren't light either.  So IMO it does come down to looks and one other very important thing... the 13s ride harsh!  Not much can be done, the only readily available tire that fits has barely two inches of sidewall.  With a light car it's gonna be harsh!

Here are 13 x 5s on my car with no flares! Yes I modified the front arches and reformed and strengthened the seam at the top (a PO had installed the hideous 6 inch flares and cut out the seam with a skill-saw).  Yes I like the look of big wheels and low profile tires. I'm not alone. You don't see new Vettes with 70 series tires "to improve the ride"! I also like big brakes.  Careful, I'm NOT saying that you just bolt these in place of your 10s and be on your merry way! But my Mark I is lower than many with 10 inch wheels and makes no contact with the body during steering or "normal" driving. Would I hammer it on a bumpy road with dips? Nope!

I try not to be militant about my opinion. I think your Mini looks great in whatever combination you prefer. 

I think Mr. Issigonis and his employers wanted CHEAP! and SMALL! They had no inkling that we would be arguing the merits of their choices nearly 60 years later!

If you drive your Mini a couple of hundred miles a year and are in it for the "look" go with the 13".

Having had all 3 sizes myself, I think 12's are best of both worlds for looks and handling. I personally like wood and picket arches on 12's as it gives a sportpack'ish look without being over the top.

10" wheels were mainly chosen to reduce wheel/tire impingment with the interior space. I wouldn't go too far invoking the opinions of Issigonis, brillant man though he was. He didn't think Minis should have seat belts or be particularly comfortable, either. Nor did he think styling and looks had much value.

And John Cooper did put his name on 13" wheeled Minis, a whole lot of them at the end of the Mini production run.

 

I have a car with 13s, one with 12s, and one with 10s. In almost every situation, I invariably choose to drive the ones with either 10s or 12s. There is absolutely NO COMPARISON!!

Compared to the other two cars, the steering on the one with the 13s is heavier, not as nimble, and on top of that, the 13 inch tires seem to be the hardest to find and the most expensive. Originally, like you, I liked the look of the 13s. But if you plan on DRIVING the car, I think you will regret going with 13s EVERY TIME YOU HOP IN THE CAR!!!

There is a reason Alec Issigonis and John Cooper chose 10s and 12s for minis!! THAT should be enough of an answer for you.

AHHHH!!!!! My eyes! My eyes, yo.

The Mini we have on 12's has a new set of 10's waiting along with the brake conversion kit... I just bought a 2000 Mini (staying in UK) with 12's as we are going to use it for cruising/trips. I refused to even consider buying a Mini with 13's for there are no positives (unless you like the look), just negatives. A good set up Mini on 12's can out perform one on 13's, just as a good set up on 10's can out perform one on 12's. At least that's the way I see it.... Save your money on big wheels/tires and get your suspension correct and buy some A539's.

Having had both, I recommend that you stick with the 12s for the best combination of ride, handling and price.

IMO 13s are out of proportion and look ugly.

What's your priority? Looks or performance (ride/handling?) It's most likely that going to 13" wheels will deteriorate ride and handling.

The vast majority of 13" wheels (including the OEM Rover Sportspack wheels) are much heavier than 12" wheels and the unsprung weight really delivers a blow to performance. It even reduces top speed (Sportspacks had 6mph trimmed off their rated top speed due to the drag of the wider tires and flares.)

MB 13" wheels are the only ones I know of that have weights approaching 12" wheel weights (none of the commonly available 13" models from the usual Mini vendors do.) 

 

an upgrade would be to stay on 12's and order some yokos 048

Check tire availability in both sizes first.

Terry

I think that would be a down grade.

 

I'm not positive...but I think 13" wheels need a little cutting of the fenders to fit

Hi everyone! The mini has been awesome so I haven't been on here forever. Anyway, I need new tires for my 12" rims on my '95 SPI and I was thinking of going to the sport pack 13" rims and wheel arches. I have coil springs and hi-lo's so I have some adjustability. I like the look of the wider wheels and flares. So I was just wanting your opinion on what I should do? Thanks!!!