2015 Mini JCW lowered on AST springs 17x8 45mm offset wheels on 215/45/17 tires. Have a slight tire rub on the back driver tire. I cannot hear or feel any rubbing but can see it on my tire. Can anything be trimmed back there? What other options do I have? Suggestions would be appreciated...

Thanks

 

Get a 5mm spacer and you will be fine. Those tires wont last long if it keeps rubbing that way

 

wouldn't pushing the wheel out more make the running worse? The rubbing is on the outside of the tire.

 

Oh dang, Im sorry man. I thought I was looking at the inside of the tire. Yeah, totally scratch what I said.

How much did you drop it? I have the same size tires and rims and dont have any issues. Im at a 1.5 drop in the back

 

I am dropped on AST springs and it’s supposed to be just a 1inch drop in the back. But I did upsize my tire to 215/45/17 and I heard people say that the Michelin PSS tire is taller that other tires.

 

That's really weird. I am on Eibach springs, and have 215/45 r17 MPSS tires on, with zero rubbing or bottoming out. Are you on the stock wheels?

 

Flashlight, lie down under wheel area and look for what is hitting the tire. That would be my first diagnostic step.

 

I have 17x8 Enkei RPF1 45 mm offset. Maybe the offset difference plus the slight tire difference is the difference maker.

 

I put some blue painters tape on the inside of the wheel well, hopefully the part that rubs will scrape off the tape and I'll re access from there.

 

It's likely the width of the wheel pushing the sidewall out a bit as the tire seats in the bead. The contact patch would be close to the same as a 17x7.5 wheel, but the sidewall would be pushed out a bit due to the width. The F56 already has a limited amount of room under the fenders, and going wider or changing the offset can cause rubbing, even if there is a very minor change in the overall size and position.

 

I am running 225/45/17's on NM 17x7.5 wheels on stock suspension with 5mm spacers on all four tires...AutoXing, no rubbing but if I hit a bump in the road (like a big dip) I get a slight rub on drivers side from the plastic fender piece. It could be trimmed pretty easily just underneath but I think I will remove the 5mm rear spacers because I am installing Bilstien B14/16 adjustable coil overs which will drop the car slightly over 1 inch front and rear. In my SCCA Class I could go to 8" wide wheels but after many calculations I decided on the 7.5" wheels and 225/45/17 Bridgestone RE71Rs...I think it was the best way to go.
I'll post more with pics in a couple of weeks after I install the Bilstein Coil Overs,Wavetrac Limited Slip Differential, Powerflex adjustable camber bushings in the front and AutoX on the 19th if I get it all done in time.

 

Any reason you are running the spacers? I have the same wheels but with 215/45R17 tires. No rub at all and clears everything.

 

I have a '19 JCW I/O. Your car sure looks good with those wheels and tires. I wonder if 215s would still look pretty good.

 

I used to have an Acura Type R and it had a LSD. That will transform your car. My first MINI,an '08 S had a mechanical LSD and it was awesome. The current EDLC is a brake eater.
I read that the new GP will have a mechanical LSD

 

215/40/18s on stock 18x7's with 5mm spacers all the way around for a bit wider track...no rubbing whatsoever. 215/45

/17s would not rub wither IMO. I love the way these wheels look but I going to keep the stock Ferris Color Wheels for everyday driving. Selling these wheels and tires...$800 for the wheels and $250.00 for the tires after 2 AutoX uses. If I don't sell them I might just get some non run flats and use them for everyday use...and just save the originals with run flats...

 

Yep...I am doing the Bilsteins first because the time it will take to remove the tranny and install the Wavetrac LSD. It will make a HUGE DIFFERENCE in traction and getting the power to the ground!!!