Hi Guys

I have a 2004 mini Cooper with chilli pack, i have just purchased the S lite 17 Cooper S Mag set.

I need to know the following.

1.Will I need to drop the suspension, in order to maintain the distance from tyre to arch and not have a huge gap?

2.I have been told by fitters that i cannot fit standard 205/45/R17 tyres to these mags and they have to be run flat tyres only! I feel they are trying their luck?

Please help

 

Yes the gap will be significant so I would recommend lowering springs or a coilover system. As far as what tyres you can mount they can be ANY compatible tire regardless if it is a runflat or not.

 

Cool , thanks for the help

 

Why is this the case on r50s with 17s?

 

As long as the outer diameter (O.D.) of the new tires is the same as the O.D. of the old ones the wheel gap would be the same. Changing the wheel diameter might make it appear to be more or less of a gap, the the actual measurement would be the same.

You probably were told the run-flat thing because only MCS came with the 17s and they only came in run-flat variety from the factoy. The MC came with a spare, so if you're comfortable with possibly needing to change a flat tire on the side of the road then keep the spare and use non run flats.