rustyboy155 thanks a lot for all the help! I really appreciate it!

 

NP

 

More often than not a 215 will have a wider tread than a 205. That was all I was saying . What really makes a difference is the rim width. Randy's car runs the same tire as mine does, but he as I belive, 17x8, I run, 17x7, and his tires look way wider than mine. Wish I would have gone with 17x7.5 .

 

my 205 width A048's are wider than 225 Toyo's. My 215 width RE-01R's are almost a 235 width. tread width has NOTHING to do with wheel width. Section width does however. Rusty and I are talking about treadwidth

 

I understand thats what you guys are talking about. Most layman will most always think a 215 is wider than a 205, and most of the time it is. There are exceptions to that tho. Here is what Tire Rack has to say:

The tread width is the distance between the outer edge and the inner edge of the tread of a new tire. However today's radial tires often feature tread designs that incorporate rounded shoulders and there is no industry standard pertaining to "how much" of the rounded shoulders should be included in the tread width measurement. Because of this, it is difficult to accurately compare the tread width differences of one tire brand to another.

 

Well, running wider wheels doesn't actually increase the contact patch to the ground, it just makes it LOOK different. 17x8 Ultraleggeras? I didn't know they made them that wide...

 

I didn't think they did either...

 

I found these on Google, click the link:


[FONT=verdana][SIZE=1]Price(per wheel): [FONT=verdana][SIZE=2]£192.00[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]manufacturer: O.Z Racing
name: Ultraleggera Crystal
size: 17x8

 

Hey rustyboy, would these Koni's be sufficient for what I need to get over my rubbing issues (camber adjustment...)

 

I'm reading through this and I'm about to order wheels and tires for my car.

right now I'm at stock ride height, and I'm looking at 17x7 wheels with a offset of 42. From what you guys are saying, I'll be okay with 215/45-17s with stock setup, but what about if I use a mild lowering spring like the Texas Speedworks or H-sports?

My first MINI rubbed with 215/45s and H Sport springs, but that was on Prodrive P1 wheels, and I don't remember the offset of those.

I don't know when I'll lower it, so I don't want to go with the 215/40s and make the wheel gap look even bigger (plus the slight reduction in diameter will make the speedo off further AND hurt mileage....)

 

I have a 2003 MCS. Using H sport springs and stock shocks, 17x7 aftermarket wheels with +42mm offset and 215/45-17 tires I had rubbing in the rear plastic wheel arches both sides with any dip in the road and any passengers in the rear even one person.

Be prepared to trim the plastic if needed with a dremmel tool.

The alternative is 205/45-17 tires. Taller than 215/40-17 and no risk of rubbing. More rear negative camber should help with clearance if needed.
If you have about -1.5 degrees camber in the rear you should be close to being OK.

Are your stock shocks worn out? Not so good if you add lowering springs.
How many miles on your MINI? Do you have heavy loads much- this can wear out shocks faster.

 

It will fit, depending on your camber settings you may need to dremel rear bumper brackets to alleviate rubbing.

Call me direcly - your NAM sponsor

Alex

 

majority of the customers dont know squat about wheels and tires
and the proper sizes. that's why tirerack is just making it
less painful for such customers.

if you can make it fit, go for it.

 

I'm at 19000 miles. 205/45 being the stock size, I'm sure they'd work. I was hoping to squeeze a little more width on, but I may just go with the 205s to be sure of no problems.

Most of my miles have been solo, but I do on occasion have my wife and two little girls with me.

My 03 rubbed whether it was loaded or not. Not a lot, just enough to be annoying.

Thanks for the help.

 

I've got an '06 MCS and just bought a set of OZ Superleggera's in ET37.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions that many of you have posted. I wanted to throw in another variable and see if anyone has any experience.

I'm on TSW springs which have a very mild drop. I saw an M7 spring datapoint, which is significantly lower than the TSW's.

Should I expect rubbing on 215/45-17's with TSW springs? Or would it be advisable to just skip it and go 215/40's? I'd like more sidewall, but not at the expense of rubbing. FWIW, these are just going to see street duty, I have a separate set of wheels for the track.

Anyone else have TSW's and Superleggera's?

 

I'd go 215/40 if you don't want to deal with rubbing. I had some rubbing with 215/45's after lowering with JCW and a heavy load.

 

After checking tire availability in the 215/40 fitment, that's likely the way I'll go. There are plenty of choices out there.

And with the weight of the MINI, the lower load rating shouldn't matter. It should still be well within a safe range.

 

I have a 04 MINI S, and in need of new tires. I am wondering if i can change from the stock size of 205/45/17 up to something a little bigger like a 215/45/17 without any issues? Its all stock not lowered or anything.

 

Depends?
215/40-17 will work!!

 

i ordered 215/45/17 from tirerack mid june. they had no issue with that when i ordered??? i have not put them on my vehicle yet, should i be worried? i dont want any rubbing or anything.

 

1st - Call me directly to order.

What wheels are you running these on?

Alex

 

I'm running 215/45s on a 17x8.5 with no issues on a stock suspension. I have previously run 215/45s on S-Lites (17x7) also with no issues (again with a stock suspension).

 

I just had my Bilstein PSS9 coilovers installed today. I'm running 215/45/17 Hankook Ventus V12 Evos on 17x7 Konigs with 40 offset, with -1.9 degrees camber all the way around. Completely slammed. And no rubbing after 4 hours of driving.. Pics to posted soon..

 

215/45 17 do fit the R56 w/o rubbing. In the last 2 years, I ordered 3 sets from Alex.