I am currently in the market for some new 17's which will be mounted on the factory flame spoke rims. I am looking a either 215-45-17 or 215-40-17, in a Hankook RS2 Z212. I am running Texas Speedwerks springs and camber plates, and I don't want any rubbing issues. Any opinions would be a big help!

 

If you don't mind a bit of wheel gap and your roads are halfway decent go for the 215/40's.

 

I'd do 215/40

 

What tires do you have now? Z212? What size now- any rubbing now?

Any particular reason you choosing Hankook RS2 Z212?
Are you doing track work? Autocrossing? Street driving only?
Are you on a specific budget for tires?

Are you interested in a better tire?

Consider Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R in
205/45-17
215/45-17

Does cost more but you get very good dry and wet handling and very good street manners (good noise and comfort).

Downside is very soft rubber treadwear 180 but Z212 is treadwear 200 anyway and not as good for daily use.

 

I am currently running the stock run-flats, without issue, but would like a slightly wider tire. I am daily driving and auto xing the car, and my reasoning for the hankooks was they are affordable and highly recommended from a tire wholesaler. (They also carry the Falken Azenis Rt 615 ) I am very interested in the Bridgestones as well, but only if I'll have no issues with rubbing.

 

I've been running the RS2 Z212's in 215/40/17 with M7 springs and have had no issues with rubbing or bottoming out with only 1 or 2 passengers aboard. If she's fully loaded with people and full tank o' petrol, I have had a minor scraping, in the rear only, on BIG DIPS taken at speed (50 mph). I love the combo.

 

Would go with a 215/45/17 since they will mount to a 7" wide rim such as your Flame Spoke's. A 215/40/17 requires a 7.5" width rim.

 

205/40-17 fits rims 7-8" wide, perfect fit for 7.5" rim, 23.4" tire diam
205/45-17 fits rims 6.5-7.5" wide, perfect fit for 7" rim, 24.3" tire diam
215/40-17 fits rims 7-8.5" wide, perfect fit for 7.5" rim, 23.8" tire diam
215/45-17 fits rims 7-8" wide, perfect fit for 7" rim, 24.6" tire diam

While a perfect fit would be good any of these four tire sizes will work for a MINI using 17x7 or 17x7.5" rims. It's your choice.

Wider is not always better but it is only 10mm difference and will not be as good if mounted on a rim that is more narrow than a perfect fit.

So using stock 17x7 rims a 215/45-17 tire will mount to it's full treadwidth as designed but on the same rim a 215/40-17 will have slightly less tread width due to the more narrow rim after mounting. The 40 series tire gives more tread width before mounting so after mounting it's very close given the 7" stock rim. The 45 series sidewall is more comfortable for daily use.

The RE-01R is a better tire and comes in the stock 205/45017 which you know will fit. 215/45-17 will fit as well but these do cost more than the Hankooks but you do get what you pay for.

If you are wondering, 205/40-17 is still ok as long as the load rating is 84. It's smaller than stock tire diameter but will work. It's lighter in weight more likely.

 

Thanks for all the info!