I just bought a set of used wheels (Advan RGIIs) in 17x7.5 and they have 215/45/17 tires mounted on them.

There seems to be a little stretch on the tire. I'm not sure if I should be concerned about it. What size are you guys running?

Thx!

 

On my other Mini I ran 215/45/17's on rims that were 17x7.5 and it was fine. The tire retailers recommend a 7 to 7.5 for a 215 series tire.

If you compare the stock wheels and tires that come with them you will see that for each half inch wider wheel the stock tire is four tenths of an inch wider as well.

In other words a 195/55/16 tire is mounted on a 16x6.5 rim and a 205/45/17 tire is mounted on a 17x7 rim so following that progression a 215/45/17 tire would be mounted on a 17x7.5 rim.

Hope this helps...

 

215/45 should fit fine on that rim (I run the same tire/wheel width combo) but the pic in your gallery does show quite a bit of stretch...

 

Thanks guys. The numbers sound right to me, it just didn't look right for some reason.

 

Not all tire manufacturers measure tire width the same. Some measure at the tread, and others further down on the sidewall. If you get a chance, look at a Falken Zeix 512, the sidewall is quite a bit wider than the tread. It looks like your picture in your gallery.

just my $.02

 

I run 225/50/16's on a 7" rim. They would be fine on a 7.5" and you've got some rubber baby... no rubs at stock height & a 35-40mm off set.

 

For a 17x7.5" rim
205/45-17 fits rims 6.5-7.5" wide 24.3" outer tire diameter
215/40-17 fits rims 7-8.5" wide 23.9" outer tire diameter
215/45-17 fits rims 7-8" wide 24.6" outer tire diameter
225/45-17 fits rims 7-8.5" wide 25" outer tire diameter

If you have stock suspension then you will have enough clearance to fit these sizes but if you have lowered your MINI then depending on your wheel offset the smaller outer tire diameter sizes would fit best.

 

As sorted by A&E Performance in Campbell, CA, (PSS9s, camber plates and adjustable rear arms) I run 235/40 ZR 17s, using Pilot Sport 2s on 17x7.5 SSR GT2s for street and Toyo RA1s on 17x7.5 SSR Comps for track. No problems, no rubbing. Big contact patch, pretty sticky.

Stephan

 

235/40-17 tires are designed to fit rims 8-9.5" wide. Using 17x8 rims or wider would be best. 17x7.5 is a narrow rim to use, you'll loose a little tire width as a result.

 

It is true that 235's are designed for 8" rims, and by mounting on a 7.5 you "lose" some of the tread, which wraps toward the tire sidewall. However, you "gain" more tread and have a bigger contact patch than you would have with a 225, with no decernable ill effects and a nice upside.

I'm not suggesting that this is for everyone; merely that it's a viable, if uncommon, alternative answer to the question "what size tires do you have on your 17x7.5 wheels?" It certainly requires detailed suspension set up to function correctly. That said, MINIs sorted by A&E have been running 235's successfully since 2003. Their owners appreciate the extra grip generated by the bigger contact patch.

Sephan

 

What about using the 235/40 with a 17x7 rim (too narrow or have you seen it done?) That would open things up for stock MINI rims.

What suspension adjustments are recommended when using 235/40-17 tires?

 

i run 225/40/17 hoosier r6's on my 17X7.5 ssr type c-rs track wheels. i'm lowered on coilovers, w/ TCE 13" bbk. it is tight everywhere, but it works!

 

I've never seen or heard of 235's on a stock width rim.

As to set up: beyond tightening nuts and bolts, I sadly don't do my own mechanical work. I can recite the basic pieces, but the art involved is all down to the experience of Al Megenity, the owner of A&E, who gets all the parts singing together. That's why I have my work done there. As stated, my car has Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, camberplates and adjustable rear arms. It's lowered about 3/4 inch, and camber is set F&R so that a consistent contact patch is maintained. That and the fact that it works great are the extend of my ignorance...

I'm travelling, so afraid can't attach any pics which might help clarify. However, if you run across a copy of the current issue of MC2 Magazine (Jan-Feb 07) there are pics of the car and wheel/tire set up on pages 26 and 30, which will at least show you what it looks like.

I'll be at AMVIV in March; if by chance you are attending you are more than welcome to look the car over then. Sorry not to be of more help.

Stephan

 

so in other words what does it really take to run the 235/40/17's without rubbing issues?

e.g. what offset and what wheels?

say 17x7's in et40 and 17x7.5's in et 45's?

i KNOW 235's work with x7 rim sizes, though you do lose a bit of contact patch area but if you try the setup you'll see its not much

so, know wheel offsets anyone?

and also, is there an offset that won't make you cut anything or dremel anything with the 235's?

thanks for the time



_

 

My car is not cut, dremelled or otherwise physically changed to allow clearance for the 235's on 17x7.5 rims.

Stephan

 

BUMP!!

This has been an interesting discussion!

For some time now I've liked the notion of 235/40R17. I knew that Webb used them for racing, but beyond that it was really sketchy & discussion of such was dismissive & often it seemed frowned upon. Lets hear it for open minded folks

How much must we change out to make this work? Exactly what modification are neccessary? Aside from the all important offset, what MUST we do? Are coilovers manditory? Springs, Camber? Who's products will allow enough adjustment? The no dremel things sound FABULOUS! And the 3/4" drop sounds perfect. I don't care for the slammed thing. The car's already low enough to create issues on certain roads/driveways.

DAMN! I was pretty close to going with a 215/40 tire, but now I'm on the fence again.

At this point I'm trying to consider total outlay... work + parts. Going to 235 rubber also punches up the tire bill by 1/2 again in some instances.

Pro's - stiff sidewall AND (unlike 215/40) increased tire volume to deal with the crappy roads - oh yeah baby

Of course you realize that I'll want more power & increased braking performance with all that tire. Oh... I can FEEL the $ slipping through my hand.

Thanks for sharing

 

Wouldn't it be nice if someone made 225/40-17 (besides Hoosiers slicks) for 7" wheels?

 

I'm running Nitto 555's in 225/40-17 on my Rota 17x7.5 inch wheels. I got them at Discount Tire. No problems with rubbing at stock height. I like them fine, they stick to the road really well, but I don't drive on the track.
Steve

 

Yes, I noticed they are the only one making this size but I'm not satisfied that it's in the Drag Radial specs...something with street/track treads...

 

No, mine is the 555, not the 555R drag tire. It is a street summer ultra high performance tire. They have gone to a bad flash based website design, but here (I think) is the link:

http://www.nittotire.com/index.html#...2Etire%2Ent555

Description from the site:

The NT555 is a summer-oriented ultra high-performance street tire designed with the performance driver in mind. With one of the largest contact patches available, the NT555 provides superior traction and reliable handling - without sacrificing tread life. Both the tread pattern and the compound were optimized for dry performance. The highly rigid tread blocks provide stability while prolonging tire life. The NT555 will get you off the line quicker in the straights and provide confidence in the corners.
Performance Rating: W
UTQG Treadwear: 300
Traction: A
Temperature: A

Steve

 

Thanks Steve...I'll look into this...

Sid

 

So in most cases, the 215/45's diameter is going to be larger than a factory tire. That throws off the speedo, mileage and hurts off-the-line acceration...but probably contributes to much better ride.

I too thought 215/40 was the way to go, but now I'm still thinking the 215/45 is the better choice. I think it weights roughly 1 lb more.

Now what about a 17x7.5" rim with a +45 offset? Will a 215/45 still clear with stock suspension (or H-sports)?

 

I've done both extensively...215/40 Kumho at actual 80mph is 78.5, 215/45 Kumho is around 81.5...not as much as you might think...

I stayed with 45 because as you suspected, the ride and handling behavior is much better...

 

Excellent, and thanks! I was really leaning towards the 215/45....also I'm helping my friend pick out wheels/tires...so this help goes to him as well.

So what about the offset? What is the highest offset you can have on a 17x7.5" w/o rubbing with both stock or H-sports? If anyone knows?

 

I have 17x7 TDR 45ET with -2.2 front, -1.6 rear camber and substantially lowered...that said, front has never rubbed even with 225/45 tires and 5mm spacers...the rears will rub slightly against the metal flanges if I install the 5mm spacers so I do without there...