How much trimming will I need (and where) on the fender wells to fit a 225/40-16 Kuhmo 712 tire on 16x7.5" Kosei K1 wheels on the Mini? I'm due for new rubber soon and I'd like to squeeze a little more meat under there this time if possible (currently I have streeeetched 205's on there). I'm not afraid of breaking out the dremel to do some trimming if it's not TOO drastic. Any help would be great!

Thanks!

 

Personally when I have had to do stuff like this before...and didn't have a shop or major tools....I put the tires/wheels on first....then went aroudn a corner or two...and saw where they were rubbing....of course that was my cossie....and i had to go over 100 to get it to run on a sweeper...but then I was able to locate to problem and adjusted the fener wall from there...(me shrugs) that's one way if you don't have a lift etc

 

check your offset, and really really reconsider the 712. I, and a buddy, had the 215/40 r16 and they we dangerous at the limit. With a third buddy following both of the 712 equipped cars through the mountains, he was amazed at how much sliding the two 712 equipped cars were doing. This is not a high performance tire, if you drive near the limit, you will overdrive these tires in a heart beat.

I came from s03's to these tires and talked my local shop into allowing me to return the 712's and put on some t1-s's.

If you are not a serious driver, then you wouldn't be getting 225/40 tires, my 205/50 t1-s's have more grip, and a better ride than the 712's.

I would take a look at the Avon's. I have the Tech R and it rocks on track, I would have gotten the m500 if I knew how good the Tech R was.

Just my two cents.

The numbers you are looking for to fit a tire are:
Section width
Rim offset
0.5 * section width (remember to add .2 for each 1/2 inch your rim is over the measured rim)
now add the offset
and you will have the "keep out" to the inside of the rim

Hence, the higher the offset the closer the rim is to the suspension bits, so you can fit less tire.

Good luck, the two points to look for are the front strut and the rear trailing arms.

 

ubercooper -

Thanks for the reply. I've had the 712's before, and I agree - they are not the best tire out there. I've looked for a better tire in the size I want, and think I may keep searching rather than settle for the 712's again.

These are just my daily driver tires for summer. I have dedicated race tires for when I need to drive the car in anger.