Going with these wheels .....

http://www.wheelmax.com/product.asp?ProdId=15477

but am unsure about what size tire to go with. I was pretty set on getting 215-35-18 General Exclaim UHP tires but now i'm thinking i should get something with a little more sidewall seeing as how that size actually has a little smaller overall diameter than the stock wheels, and i want to reduce wheel gap, not increase it. The next bigger size General offers in that tire is a 225-40-18, do you think these would work? I dont think the car is going to be lowered any time soon.

Any help?

 

215/40/18

 

Not available with the General Exclaim tires. Next biggest size is 225x40x18.

 

Nice wheels! Big price
They will look great.

 

lol $138 is big price for an 18?? I dont think so

In terms of tire size....the 225/40 will raise your car .25 inches off the ground compared to the size kenchan reccomended and may be more likely to rub.

225/35 would be .25 inches lower than the size mentioned

wake just posted this picture of a car with 215/35/18 on an 18x7.5: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=115904

 

The only thing about that picture is that he is lowered on aftermarket springs (forgot the brand and exact amount of drop). I dont plan on lowering the car anytime soon. But it does let me know that that size tire fits fine.

Do you think a 225x40x18 on a 18x7.5 wheel would rub?

The only thing that is attracting me more toward the 225x40's compared to the 215-35's is that i will have a little bit softer ride, and the tire would be a hair taller than OEM instead of a hair smaller (less wheel gap). Also they are ever so slightly cheaper.

So esentially what it comes down to is if it will rub or not? The larger size is only 10mm (1cm) wider......

What do you guys think?

 

well its not only 10mm wider, but the sidewall would be about a full half inch bigger.....and the overall diameter would be a full inch larger. From a "looks" standpoint i think it would be pretty unattractive.....but it may also cause issues with rubbing as well (i dont know)

 

For 18s, that's inexpensive. They do look nice though, they'll look very nice I think if he drops the car the right amount.

I'm with Rally on this one. You'll have your car looking like a 4x4. IMO just save up another $400 and get some m7 springs (drop about 1.3inches) and go with 215/40/18 tires if you can't afford coils but want the car to look good. You could even run H-Sports and you'd have just about no wheel gap with that tire size.

As for 18s on stock height

 

shop somewhere else...

 

Falken Ziex 912 are good and affordable... Speculation as I have the 512's lol...

 

I'm running Falken FK452's on my 19's on my personal car. Good tire so far. No real complaints.

But the reason i am looking at the general exclaim tires is because they seem to be the best "affordable" tire. And this set is going on my g/f's MC, not mine, so i'm trying to get something relatively inexpensive, yet a good performer as well.

I highly doubt the car will be dropped anytime soon, so i want to reduce the wheel gap if i get the oppurtunity, not increase it.

lol.... you guys are worrying me now, though. Will it really look that bad with 18's and no drop? Pics?

 

Your proposed Nex-O TS-10 rim is 18x7.5 +45 offset and with that reasonable price is very likely to weigh about 25+ pounds each. This would be felt when driving an MC. If you drive speed limit and in urban areas that will minimize the performance difference (loss). Generally the basic strategy for the MC is to get the lightest possible rim- usually 16" works well and still looks good with stock suspension and 205/50-16 tires. General exclaim UHP in that size is $66 each 19 lbs. 24.1" tire diameter. However you have to judge your own priorities when making your wheel and tire selection.

215/35-18 would be a good size but is a little shorter than stock tire diameter at 23.9" but it is OK. No rubbing issues based on 215mm width and smaller diameter overall.

225/40-18 has problems. Tire diameter is 25.1" compared to about 24.4" for stock. Rubbing is possible with a heavy load or over road dips (with or without rear passengers) and the tire will look oversized. Tire gap will be less but the proportions will be off. Speedo and odometer will be in error as well. Actual speed will be about 3.3% faster than when using stock sized tires.

Price of the General Exclaim UHP in those sizes are $85 and $81 respectively. 380 treadwear. While those ARE good prices I think we might be able to get close and use a better tire size.

Looking at 225/35-18 (24.4" tire diameter) for a reasonable price-
Ultra High Performance Summer tires:
Avon Tech M500 $107 each 280 treadwear 23 lbs 24.2" tire diameter
Ultra High Performance All Season tires:
Sumitomo HTR+ $109 each 360 treadwear 21 lbs 24.4" tire diameter

For the Falken Ziex Ze-912 (Ultra High Performance All Season tire)
in 215/35-18 at $94 each 360 treadwear 22.7 lbs, 24" tire diameter.

 

Shop around more...215/40 are the optimum size for 18's.

 

For the MINI seems 205/40-18 is more ideal from a fitment point of view.

215/40-18 and 205/40-18 are possible sizes. Lets examine each for value such as that found in the General Exclaim UHP mentioned by the OP.

In 215/40-18 a tirerack search finds matches but most are $120 or higher.
In Ultra High Performance Summer tires-
Kumho Ecsta SPT $109 each 320 treadwear 23 lbs 24.8" tire diameter (a little taller than stock but OK).
And in Ultra High Performance All Season tires
Falken Ziex Ze-912 $112 each 360 treadwear 21.7 lbs, 24.8" tire diameter.
Toyo Proxes 4 $118 each 300 treadwear 20.9 lbs 24.8" tire diameter.

In 205/40-18 the tire selection is very limited
In Ultra High Performance Summer tires-
Yokohama S Drive $138 300 treadwear 21 lbs 24.4" tire diameter
or in Ultra High Performance All Season
Toyo Proxes 4 $114 each 300 treadwear 20.5 lbs 24.5" tire diameter

 

Sorry but your incorrect.
A 205 tyre is too narrow for a 7.5" rim, which is what the width of the rims are the OP is interested in.
A 205 width tyres come standard on the Mini because the rims are only 6.5" wide.
OP.... go with a 215/40/18 tyre & you wont go wrong.

 

A quick glimpse at the reccomended wheel width for the size he was reccomending (205/40/18) is MIN/MAX 7-8 inches according to the manufacturer specs. So actually you, sir, are the one that is wrong. A 205 is not too narrow for a 7.5" wide wheel at all.

I'm getting pretty tired of people who know very little about a subject coming into NAM threads and pretending that they have the authority to correct people. Do your research before correcting someone

 

Hey Rally, why be so hard on someone who was only trying to help?? Did ya get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning my friend?

 

yah i probably did......but it's hard to watch someone tell minihune that he is flatout incorrect when A. he was completely correct and B. he is nothing but a help to this community and specifically wheel/tire forum. I just think people need to pay more respect to others...especially when it's not their field of knowledge. If that takes calling him out on his misinformation....than so be it. But, was he really trying to help by simply knocking down the reccomendation for the 205 size with misinformation?

But i digress......if i came off hard scott....I'm sorry. I just feel that before you begin to call people incorrect, you should make sure of your facts.

 

Not a problem for me. Did make me go back and look. I do make errors and want to be accurate (and precise) see the other thread on that one regarding speedo error. Hah!

Best way to approach tire fitment-
I like talking to Alex@tirerack.com, he's experienced with pushing the limits and making good selections for the MINI which is much more than you can say for many tire vendors.

Study the charts about what can fit or not from any tire vendor or manufacturer but there can be little differences and your own actual tires may vary from the specs.

Don't rely only on the charts but think of them as guides to assist you in picking something that is likely to work well.

MINI OEM rims are 15x5.5 for the MC with upgrade to 16x6.5 and MCS with the 16", 17x7 or even 18x7. Try to pick tires that are perfect fits but you really aren't just limited to that as we sometimes will stretch our limits both using too narrow a tire for a rim (stretch fit) or too narrow a rim for a tire (shoehorn). They can work but only if the final result is what you want and safe for your intended use. If in doubt talk to Alex and he can tell you if you are crazy or not.

Back to the subject. Fitment.

205/40-18 fits rims 7-8" wide, perfect fit for 7.5" rim, 24.4" tire diameter

215/35-18 fits rims 7-8.5" wide, perfect fit for 7.5" rim, 23.9" tire diameter
215/40-18 fits rims 7-8.5" wide, perfect fit for 7.5" rim, 24.7" tire diameter

225/35-18 fits rims 7.5-9" wide, perfect fit for 8" rim, 24.2" tire diameter
225/40-18 fits rims 7.5-9" wide, perfect fit for 8" rim, 25.1" tire diameter

So 205/40-18 is a workable size for the MINI using stock 18x7 rims or rims up to 8" wide. Biggest advantage is probably lower weight, stock tire diameter for speedo accuracy, less wide for more clearance, and in the case of Toyo Proxes 4 (all season) is narrower to cut through snow.

225mm wide sizes do best with rims at least 7.5" wide and will work well with an 18x8 rim (watch the weight before you buy- you can get the 18" using a nice 18x7 but save some weight or go wide (on purpose). As you get wider rims and tires you have to worry about fitment and clearance so offset becomes crucial and usually you have to use rims that have less offset so the tires will stick out the sides of the MINI. Given that you need tire clearance from the stock wheel arch plastic trim of the wheel wells which will usually scrape and rub unless the tire diameter is less than stock or about 24.4" as a rough limit. As the tire diameter is increased then rubbing increases and you'd likely need to cut the wheel arch plastic, trim it or get a wide fender kit.

Realize that some of us actually have multiple sets of wheels for different driving chores so wheel fitment is important for each set of wheels use, something meant to work well with stock wheels might look funny or not work well with a different set of wheels. I run wheels that are 15", 16" and 17" on a regular basis.

Also before picking 18" wheel, note that the sidewalls need to be lower profile and stiff like 35 and 40 series which usually means a little less comfort for daily use and a little more bumpy ride on anything but smooth roads. Potholes and road debris will damage a tire, rim or suspension more easily. And the 18" rim and tire combo will usually weight more (unless you get really expensive wheels) than your average and less costly 16" wheel combo.

Finally, anyone can make errors so lets all be respectful of the fact we are human. And of course typos do occur. (now and then)

 

I really don't want to get into a pissing match with you, but if minihune was offended I think he'd say so.

I'm not saying this fellow was right about what he posted. Just that his intentions were to be helpful.

If you don't like misinformation, best turn the old computer off now. The internet is full of well meaning people giving good & not so good information.

I have learned a lot buy reading the many posts here & elsewhere on the net. If I got upset every time I read something I knew was wrong, well I'd waste a lot of time being upset. Anyone taking advice off the net does so at his own peril. Best verify what you read on the net as fact.

Rally I know you are a good guy. You showed that when you apologized.

That's enough energy spent on this....

Motor On....

 

You were right......definitely a wrong side of the bed morning. I didn't mean any hard feelings.

In terms of the tires, 205 might also offer a little more clearance if rubbing is ever a concern (on wide 18's the fitment can be tight).

I was actually talking about the aesthetics concerning the sidewall. on the 225/40, the sidewall will be a bit bigger and may appear to be a bit oversized for the car. The pic below is the General Exlcam 225/40 tires you were talking about on an 18x8. It's on a different car, but you can see that its a fairly beefy sidewall.

 

Correct. The information posted is not gospel.

While we try to do our best we are always bias by our own experiences and what we think will work.

We offer opinions which you the reader will have to ponder over, consider and reject or accept for yourself. This goes for every thread in every forum on the internet.

I will try to offer some info and help you with this process. If you have further questions please feel free to PM me as many members do and we take the discussion offline.

As far as being offended, no one is more concerned about providing reasonably correct information than I, if and when I am wrong I would be the first one to make amends.

Thank you for your comments and lively discussion about new wheels for the MC 18" (and what tire sizes may work).

 

I've been reading this post and others in the forum as I'm also debating between putting 17" or 18" wheels on my MCS. Everyone mentions the dire need for a drop with 18's but do any of you guys have pictures to better explain this? I doubt I'll be modifying the suspension on my MINI for quite awhile, so this is a major concern for me. The combo I'm looking at is 18x7.5" rims on 215/35 tires. Each weighs 23.5lbs which really isn't that bad given that the 17" factory crown-spokes on my first MINI weigh 22.7 per.

 

The "concern" is stock tire diameter is 24.4" and the 215/35-18 tire has a 23.9" tire diameter so you'd be increasing wheel gap by 0.5" which for some owners isn't desirable.

From Post #15
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=115904

Looks darn good to me, dontcha think????

 

Oh okay; thanks for the clarification, makes sense now. That MINI with the drop and 18's really is gorgeous I'm still really curious to see one with 18's which doesn't have a drop though; it can't look THAT bad can it!?! Come on, I know someone on here has one, don't be ashamed.