I was wondering, what is the deepest wheel that I could run w/o rubbing in either the front or the back... is 7" the max? Or will 8" or 8.5" fit? My car seems to like to "follow the groves" on the freeway... anyone else have this problem? I was hoping wider tires/wheels would fix that (will it?) also, I wanted to get better traction to handle future mods...

Sorry if this is a repost, I didn't see any recent threads about it...

 

No one knows?

 

its not the "depth" as you put it but rather a combination of size (ie16"), width, offset, and tire choice. The wider you go, the more it will follow grooves.

That said, what wheel diameter are you considering? You mention handling, so I assume you what to lower the ride height as well? There is a trade off with the tires rubbing, ride height, and width/offset.

 

Wider is going to make following the grove worse? Really?

I'm actually looking to keep my rim diameter, I just wanted to deepen or widen the rim, from whatever it is to 8"+. In first gear at full throttle, I'm badly hopping the front tires stock... I can't imagine what would happen if I got any power mods.

 

yah wider, lower offset wheels are more likely to follow grooves....

My wheels are somewhat "deep".....15x8.5 in the rear 8 in the front

There is some rubbing....but only cause I'm lowered so far.

 

Wider tires will tramline more on a grooved road surface.

You did not mention what Mini variant you have or the mileage there may be other reasons you are experiencing hop.

What are the tire specs, size, brand, type?

Might also want to check pressures, an over inflated tire can hop and is prone to following grooves.

 

A bad alignment (toe) can give the feeling of tamlining as well....

 

Sorry, I have a 2007 (R56?) Mini Cooper S Auto, Sport and Hyper sport, all stock. Pretty sure the tires are fine pressure wise... Stock tires from the factory, it only has 1300 miles.