So last week i bought an 05' cooper S. I was so excited when i went to look at it that i guess i missed this when looking it over, or it is a new problem (within one week). Either way, today when looking over the car, i noticed that the left rear tire looked as though it had been scraping against a sharp piece of metal along the top of the sidewall. It seems as though the tire is getting scraped along the wheel well because when i reached up in the well it seemed tattered up quite a bit. Anyone know what could cause my tire to it the wheel well enough to wear it completely around?

The wheels are the 16 inch

 

Front wheel, or rear? Not much instance of scrape-age either way, with the stock size tires (195/55-16), anyway.
Variables include the car being lowered, wider tires, bad shocks which are allowing the wheels to retract too far (not likely, with the OEM bump stops), or a REALLY HEAVY load.
You say it seems the wheel well is tattered, but that the tire looks like it's been cut by sharp metal - does it look like the wear could be from the wheel well? If so, then back to lowering/shocks.

 

I scrape on the rear with my TSW springs, 215/45-17 tires and 5mm wheel spacers hitting a compression in the road at speed but usually only with a heavy passenger. It just seems to be only plastic transfer at this point..havent seen/felt any metal to tire contact. And dont see any tire damage

 

Eric, The tire im having a problem with is the real Drivers side tire. Seems as though the metal edge of the quarter panel is actually cutting into the tire. The wheels that are on here are some 16 inch idk what brand with 205/50 R16 91V Toyo Tires. Clearly not the run-flats i was told they were, but regardless of that they are sliced by metal. The wheels that are on here look like they have a bit of offset that could possibly be sticking farther out than the factory wheels would which might be adding to the issue? im not positive on that though

 

i am having the same problem on my 05s- i bought new shocks because i am very confident that is what it is. indeed my started scraping after i my new tires but they were the same make and size. i have noticed when stomping on the gas pedal they rub some too. my ride is getting a little rough- and there is a squeak coming from the rear when i get out of the car. i am changing my shocks this weekend- i will let u know if it fixes.

 

my tire is not damaged either and it is not metal rubbing it is the plastic of the wheel well. stick ur finger up in the corner u will prob notice some plastic gone off the well. no damage to tire just a god aweful sound. when i hit a bump too it makes a rubbing sound as well.

 

you never said if your car was lowered or not. Soundsto me like it is and you need to some adjustable control arems so you can set the camber.