OK,
Here's an example using stock vs lowered and 17" wheels but it's close enough.

Stock ride height-



And lowered

Much nicer. Stock wheels too!

 

Wow, it really does make for quite the difference! But the thing is I know 18" wheels, or really any size for that matter, will look BETTER on a lowered MINI; I just want to prove to myself that they won't look BAD at the stock ride height. Why is it only with 18's that ride height must be lowered; is it only the 215/35-18 combo that results in a smaller tire diameter and consequently a large wheel gap?

Thanks minihune, your information has been invaluable.

 

It's not so much the tire size that makes for need for a drop. It's just that the bigger the wheel the more noticeable the gap looks. Even on 205/40/18, gap isn't bigger than stock, the gap just looks more noticeable. Tricks your mind plays on you cause the wheels are bigger. I would go as far as to say that a MINI on 18s without a drop looks BAD. There's pics around here someone, theres a couple people rolling around at stock height. Hopefully the pics will be posted so you can get a better idea of what we mean.

Good Luck!

 

Gotcha, that's what I was having trouble grasping. My main fear is that without a drop (which I simply do not have the time or money to do right now) it will in fact look bad, which is why I'm so anxious to see pictures. I've searched around here on NAM but can't find anything... It seems hard enough just to find MINI's with 18" wheels, let alone ones at stock ride height with them. Now I'm thinking I may just go for the 17's after all. My first MINI had the 17" crown-spokes on stock tires and especially on such a small car, they looked big enough to me. Not to mention I'd get a better ride, more protection, less money, I'm guessing less noise, and also I'd be able to get them in Gunmetal which I find amazing! Still just unsure how it'll look with my PW/B... Suggestions?

THANKS, you guys rock.

 

2007 MCSa Falken fk452 215/35/18 on enkei rpm2, stock suspension

 

THANKS, I knew someone had to have one! Awesome, definitely put my fears to rest aesthetics wise. I don't know about the rest of you guys but I don't think it looks bad at all. I mean I'm sure it'd look better with a drop, but I don't feel it's in any way necessary.

 

Great example. Now with a 0.7 to 1" drop it would be, well... awesome.
I guess my first impression is that the balance of MINI to wheels (or wheel position) looks off balance. The increased gap makes the smaller sidewall look even smaller like it is a 30 series tire.

Since it is still functional, it will boil down to driver/owner aesthetics. Your choice but at least you've done your homework.

Thanks for posting the pictures.
How does your MINI ride with stock suspension?

 

Agreed - while it definitely looks hot now, I know it'd be smoking with a drop. But won't this be the case with 17" wheels as well??? I've heard many complaints here on NAM that all stock R56's look as if they're 'on stilts'.

 

There is a "reason" to the madness.

Since stock shocks and springs are less stiff they can have more travel so with a full passenger load (read two grown adults in the back seat) and on uneven roads, MINI must make allowances for safety and comfort so clearance can be very generous indeed.

That's how I can tell if it is a full or empty Limo or minivan in front of me that is low riding and handling like a "wet noodle" and that I should be careful and move clear of them. If a tire blows or a hazard is encountered that vehicle would be at risk for loosing control.

And yes, whether it is 17" or 18" wheels and tires, the wheel gap is much much better looking when lowered even if for just a bit.

Tires that are about 24.7" in tire diameter cheat the gap and still function like stock without being too tall to risk rubbing or looking bigger than stock. A possible solution for those with stock suspension.

Opposite is possible for a lowered MINI where you'll want a bit more clearance with a slightly smaller tire diameter like 24" even or close to it.

The point is to get the right fitment for your case and avoid or minimize risk for rubbing but keep it functional with as little speedo and odometer error (or at least a level or error you can live with).

 

Dont worry i'm not offended Rally, i've noticed the tone of your posts previously.
As far as knowing little about the subject...you are making a huge assumption.
Have a look in my gallery at some of the cars i have built over the last 20 years.
Oh & i have been competing in tarmac rallies for the last 5 years along with the usual track days we all dabble in for many more years.
I am a qualified motor mechanic & was also involved in selling & fitting tyres for some years, so i do have some idea as to what i am talking about.
I still stand by what i said that a 215/40/18 tyre would work best on a 18 x 7.5 rim on a Mini.
Sorry if my opinion is different to yours but i was trying to offer some help to the OP which is what forums are supposed to be about, or so i thought.
I too am sick of people pretending they know more than others because of how much time they spend on some website, knowledge is gained through practical experience over many years not by how much time you waste on your pc.
By the way i am running 215/35/19 tyres on 19 x 8 rims on the street & 205/50/17 semi slicks on 17 x 7 rims on the track.

 

steve11,

You're going back to the old post, long after Rally has already apologized & toned down his response. Please don't stir it up again. Let's move on. Stick to the technical discussion, leave the personal commentary out... you can still disagree without it.

 

That makes sense. So I take it that when I do decide to lower my car I'll have to go for a stiffer suspension as well. Or do all 'lowering springs' (not sure what the exact term would be) come tuned pretty firmly out of the box? I considered simply going with a thicker tire in the meantime since I know I won't be able to lower my MINI anytime soon. However I really like the low profile look, even with its compromises on ride quality. But thanks again so much for all of the information. I'll be sure to make sure I get the correct fitment come purchasing day. The last thing I'd want is for my tires to rub. And using my GPS I've already found the speedometer off by as much as 5mph, so I wouldn't want to add to that in any way.

 

If you in fact decide to go with 18s, go with a 215/40/18 tire size. Road noise is relative to the tire itself and tire size, some are just noisier than others. To each their own about aesthetics, springs are easy to install, you could pick up a set of used H-Sports or m7's for $150 or less and do the install yourself in less than 3 hours taking your time.

I think you'll be much happier with the car lowered.

As for color, search Palo Uber 18 and theres a PW/B with gunmetal Sportmax 003. Color looks good to me!

 

Lowering your suspension can be done in many different ways- for different budgets, for different reasons, and with very different results.

Ride quality is not likely to get softer but generally can be kept to a fairly smooth level and give better overall handling but it's not going to come cheaply- good street coilovers are ride height adjustable, tunable for shock stiffness and cost about $2000 just for parts.

Many owners go the short route to lowering which is to buy lowering springs and make the stock shocks work harder in a partly compressed state. You do save money and it is lowered but ride quality for daily driving isn't comfortable for most of us- depends on which tires you choose. Stiff sidewalled tires and lowering springs usually means rough ride except on very smooth roads. Koni FSD are good shocks meant to use with stock springs and do well with street comfort and better handling.

Coilovers offer a variety of prices from about $1400 to $2800 a set of four with integrated Springs and shocks often with adjustments for ride height and shock rebound and dampening. The basic sets are less tunable. Some sets are meant for track only while others mostly for street use, and some are completely custom tunable- you pick the front and rear spring rates and shock setting ranges.

Suspension tuning can be very complicated. Go to the suspension forum for more details. Think of your wheels and tires as an extention of the suspension and plan everything together not as separate elements- brakes count too since they function with the wheel size.

 

For lowering your MINI with minimal drop see
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=116365

 

I don't understand your insistance that 215/40 is "the ideal size".

A 205/40-18 is closer to the stock overall tire diameter (of the factory size 205/45-17s or 195/55-16s) than the 215/40-18.

The only 205 width tires that are sold with MINIs are the 205/45-17s, and they are all mounted on 17x7 wheels. None of the 17 inch MINI wheels is 6.5" wide - they are all 7". No 205s are available on any of the 16x6.5 wheels.

A 205 width tire will fit fine on a 7.5" wide wheel, even in a 35,40 or 45 profile.

 

It has nothing to do with diameter, i am talking about width.
If as you state 205 width tyres are fitted as standard to 7" wide rims sold with Minis, Does it not therefore make sense that if you are increasing to a 7.5" width rim that you should increase the tyre width to 215 to accomodate the extra width.
I really can't understand why you can't get your head around this.
Im aware a 205 will fit a 7.5" rim but a 215 is a much better fitment.
I am not aware of what size tyres are readily available in the US & tbh i couldn't care less, i am simply stating what the optimum fitment size is for the benefit of the OP.

 

Sorry. It wasn't totally clear that you were only talking about width.

If a 205 is too narrow for a 7.5" wheel, then isn't a 215 too narrow for an 8" wheel, especially with only a 35 profile? If not, then why quibble about 205s on a 7.5" wheel?

Certainly it makes sense, but it's not a dire necessity, as you've made it sound. If the person wants to retain closer to the factory overall tire diameter, then it doesn't make sense to go for 215/40s when the 205/40s will work just as well.

I've got a set of 205/45-17 non-factory tires on factory 7" wide wheels, and the fit is very nice - like they were made for each other. I'm sure that a 215 on a 7.5" wheel would have a similar fit. But I also see a lot of BMWs with tire fitments that are more akin to putting a 205 on a 7.5" wheel - the sidewalls are stretched just a bit more than what you see with factory 17" MINI wheels and tires (and similar to your 215s on 8" wheels). If it's good enough for the Bimmers, then why not the MINIs?

 

Yes,

See also post #19 in this tread for manufacturer's general guidelines for wheel and tire fitment.

There are many choices. Choose wisely for your intended use.

 

I am aware that a 215 is too narrow for my 19 x 8 rims but you try fitting a 19/225/35 under a mini & see how you go.
This post is about trying to help the OP out & not about justifying what size you or i or anyone else has fitted.
Why you are talking about BMW i have no idea, the OP has a Mini.
I give up, kindly don't bother replying to me again as i am not interested in the petty bickering that goes on conitinually at NAM.
Every time you try to give someone some help you get some self proclaimed expert who wants to argue & justify their own purchases.
Too many big ego's on this site, im off to greener pastures.

 

While I agree with you about all the bickering. All 70spop, as well as myself, are trying to say is that you are making it seem as if though a 215 if the ONLY width that will work an a 7.5" wide wheel, which is certainly not the case. There are several people on this forum who have no clue about wheels and tires so you have to be careful with how you word things.

Now that we agree, at least judging by your post I think we do, that a 215/40/18 is not the ONLY tire that will work, all is good...

 

Exactly.

 

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Mr. Self Proclaimed Expert....

 

See what i meant about the small minded petty bickering that ruins this site, there's a prime example of it.
Luckily there's some quality Mini forum sites out there for enthusiasts.
Btw OP i hope you get your wheels sorted.

 

Oh boy!

I didn't know tire/wheel discussions could get this heated! lol

I have read everything you guys have said and I still haven't made up my mind!

I was set on getting the 215-35-18 size tires, but then I thought what a great idea the 215-40-18's would be. But unfortunately the tires I spent so much time researching on and deciding on (General Exclaim UHP) doesn't have that size. The two options are either 215-35-18 or 225-40-18.

Does anyone think a 225-40-18 tire would fit on a MC with OEM suspension without rubbing and such? Or should i just stick to the 215-25-18 (again, on OEM suspension)?