Hi I just bought wheels off craigslist, amazing brand, great shape, great price.
They are OZ Ultraleggera 17" Wheels 4x100 16lbs. 37et

Im just thinking now though, that they are so big compared to my 15" if they will fit my mini? Im driving a 2005 r50 with no plans of lowering. The 37et is scaring me, can someone explain the difference between 37et and 44et?

As for tires what is the max size I could go.
Im thinking 205/40/R17 (Yokohama S-Drive)

Any help is much appreciated.

 

I don't even know what "et" for a tire is.

 

It is "offset", the relationship of where rim bolts to the hub space wise, aka, how far or close to the edge of the rim the center is width wise....a high or low offset rim will have the center of the bolts near the outer or inner edge of the rim....hard to explain without a diagram... But Wikipedia should have some info...
Not surrcon 17" rim tire combo's...I'll let the next person figure out...
Also the mini is "hub-centric" so you will like need hubcentric rings to match the rims to the car...

 

205/45/17 is the tire size on oem wheels, so normally, it will work fine. The only thing that you'll have to check is the difference in offsets. You might need a spacer since the offset is lower on the 17'' and might be too close to the stuts. I can't tell for sure, but I know there's a couple of people on here running these rims, so they'll be able to tell you.

 

The OEM 17x7 wheels have an et of +50 or +52.
A +37 wheel is pushed out from the strut and car further by 13 or 15 mm compared with stock.

Putting a 5 mm spacer on that wheel would change the effective offset to +32,
even further out, which would not be good.

Tire Rack lists the 17x7 +37 OZ Ultraleggara as an application for the gen 1 MINI with the following caveat:

"May require minimal trimming of rear plastic liner when using an ET42 or lower wheel.
This involves trimming the small lip where the liner meets up with the rear bumper fascia inside the wheel well.
MAY REQUIRE MODIFICATION TO THE REAR PLASTIC FENDER LINER. Use 205/45-17 for best fit."



205/45/17 should be fine, but I wouldn't go out any further (less positive) than +37 mm.
An et of +42 or +45 would be better, especially if you don't want to do some trimming of the back liner,
or if your car is lowered any, or if you want to go to 215/45/17, which many folks use.

 

Don't panic. You'll be ok w/ et 37 & 205/45/17. In case you'd rub, get a pair of rear adjustable LCAs to tuck the tires in.

 

^+1, will fit aok. even if dropped on a JCW suspension.

Consider going to 215/40/17 and get a little more tire meat to protect those wheels.....doesn't take much to ding those Oz's.

 

i have ultra leggera with im preety sure off the top of my head a 45 offset, amd im running with 215/45/17's nothing touches

 

So I got the tires.

Like I said Im running 17x7 et37 wheels and so I picked up:
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 - 205/45/17.

And there is no rubbing. In terms of height. The wheels are far from touching even with my stock rims in the trunk. Might have to lower it :P
Haven't looked at wheel thickness though given the et37 might make 215 wheels interesting.

Ill post picks tomorrow, I think they look great

 

Here are some pics. I replaced 15" hollies. Which are "cute" but not my cup of tea. I wanted bigger and better. I still have them though, probably going to throw snow tires on them and use them as steelies.

I have since got ultraleggeras from a guy on craigslist. Was a great deal, and immaculate condition. Not one scratch, just some brake dust.
Was pretty scared about the matte grey, was a little dark but was hoping it looked good. I think it does. Brings out the white roof more.

Im debating on taking on my stripes

 

Against the old ones