Hey guys - The standard 18" wheel offering from MINI for the Countryman is 18 x 7.5 ET52 (according to other threads I believe).

If I was interested in an aftermarket 18 x 8.0 wheel, what compensation should be made for the offset? ET40? ET 38?

Looking for advice. Thanks in advance!!

 

Offset is a compromise between handling, torque steer and clearances. Handling improves but torque steer increases with less offset. If you go to a wider wheel and keep the same offset the tire will be 1/4" closer to the strut. That may not sound like much, but there is probably less than 1/2" clearance there now. Something that you may want to check. 1/4" is about 6mm. You say the stock ET is 52; 46 would give you the same clearance and not much change in torque steer. 40 or 38 might produce noticable torque steer...maybe someone else can chime in as I have not gone down this low. I have gone from 48 to 43 and that is OK.

 

Thanks for the reply Eddie! I was just throwing numbers out - nothing I was actually thinking of trying.

Though having said that now, 0.5" would be about 12mm, so then 52 - 12 would be about 40mm.

 

0.5 is about 12 mm but remember that with the offset you split the difference between both sides of the wheel. Offset is measured to about the center of the wheel whereas the 0.5 is the whole wheel width, with 0.25" on each side of the center (or to the offset point). That is, if you want to keep the clearance with your strut the same as your stock wheels, then you only need to make up the 0.25" difference or a 6 mm offset change. Not saying you could not go with even less offset, you just might have more torque steer.

 

plus you can usually get a better looking setup and not run into clearance issues by going about 10mm lower. For example, on all the Mini coupes/Clubmans, going from the stock 48mm to 38 really helps flush them up a tad and still clear well.

food for thought

but like eddie above said, if the offset were the same on the 1/2" wider wheels you would get 1/4" each side... so you need to push them out 1/4" to break even (on the inside)... roughly 6mm. You could easily go the full 12mm and gain a 1/4" clearance inside, but then theyll stick out an extra 3/4" or so outside.

 

Eddie and iwashmycar - thanks guys! I'm definitely learning something here... I appreciate you taking the time to respond and explain!

NAM rocks!

 

Wider the wheel the greater the offset to remain clear of the wheel well flair.