Help! Advice on 17" wheel bolts needed

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I've just purchased a set of 17" S spokes with which to upgrade my standard 15" MINI alloys.

Are the wheel mounting bolts different for the 17" wheels (as the ones for the 15" wheels are obviously not meant to be visible)? Photo attached...

Do I need to go to the BMW dealer to buy the correct ones or are there better aftermarket ones to buy? Do the 17" wheels normally just come with plastic caps over their bolts?

Thanks in advance.

Tigger.

[Tio Barry]

You can get a set of plastic lug bolt caps from many sources (incl Ebay)

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tio Barry

You can get a set of plastic lug bolt caps from many sources (incl Ebay)

Does that mean that I have the correct bolts already and that the bolts usually just have plastic covers on them?

Tigger.

[Olly.]

Tigger,

The bolts are different on the S Spokes.

I changed from 16" 5 Stars to S Spokes on my old Cooper. A BMW Technician said the bolts were different on the S Spokes, apparantly they are a different size

Olly

[StevePSB]

They're black on 17"s, with no cap. Only the locking bolt has a cap.

[Andy @ The Pit Stop]

There are some important factors to take into consideration as I have seen many wrong fitments, some even perpetuated by so called technicians / tyre fitters.
!, determine if both wheels have the same seat for the bolts, IE conical or 60 deg taper.
2, check the length of thread showing through the back of the wheel, you need a minimum of 6 full turns on a 1.5mm thread pitch screwed into the hub / nuts on studs
3, if you buy after market you buy std bright bolts / nuts and locking wheel bolts / nuts
If you want to put plastic covers over these its up to you, but a trip to the local scrap yard will get a selection of covers from various cars. Wheel bolts are usually either 17, 19, or 21mm hex. Yours most likely will be 17mm hex.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Thanks for that.

In fact, I took one of the wheels of yesterday morning to double check points one and two! The bolts protruded from the inside of the wheel exactly the same amount as with the old wheels and the seat was the same, so I guess I should be ok?

Tigger.

[Andy @ The Pit Stop]

Yes , if whatyou say is the same on both wheels, you have correct items.
Ensure you tighten then to the correct torque with a torque wrench. if you don't have one, any reputable tyre depot will do that for you. Make sure you ask them to slacken them before torque wrenching up. They may be over tight in the first place !
Andy.H.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Andy @ The Pit Stop

Yes , if whatyou say is the same on both wheels, you have correct items.
Ensure you tighten then to the correct torque with a torque wrench. if you don't have one, any reputable tyre depot will do that for you. Make sure you ask them to slacken them before torque wrenching up. They may be over tight in the first place !
Andy.H.

Thanks for all the info. I have a torque wrench, but it's for lower torques than that.

I know which tyre depot I'll call in at.

Tigger.

[Andy @ The Pit Stop]

Your welcome

[Rayman]

Hi Andy,

Can you recommend a good make and type of torque wrench (perhaps a link) please as i will be changing my wheels soon for the summer ?

Cheers!

[Andy @ The Pit Stop]

Hello.
"Norbar" give good value, I have had one for the last 20 odd years and always calibrates good, I also use "snap on" , cost a fortune and doesn't do the job any better !
Andy.H.
PS The important thing is to use one, not guess with a big bar !.