R53 with stock suspension, currently running 15x6.5" wheels.
225/15 - will these rub?
205/15 - "out for the season" these seem like a great choice. When are they likely to become available?
225/16 - will these rub with something like the TRM C1 16x7?
215/17 - is this the widest tire that will fit a 17x7 without rubbing? Is there really going to be any advantage over the 205/15?

I'm using these for DD, autox, and HPDE. My car is not prepped for any specific classes, so I am not concerned by any rule restrictions pertaining to wheel & tire size. I will likely add camber plates, but will never lower the car beyond 1" if at all.

 

The 15s are a bit smaller than stock, the 16 and 17s are a bit larger than stock. I couldn't tell you if they'd fit an R53, I've only tried on an R56.

My question would be do you want shorter gearing or higher top speed in each gear. A shorter tire gives you better acceleration until you run out of top speed in the gear, having to change up slows you down again. I run the 225/45-15 on the R56 JustaCooper for autocross, I'm looking for the better gearing and hope the course isn't fast enough to need 3rd. In a Cooper-S I'd expect to be hitting third a lot more often. I'm planning on testing whether the 16s are faster than the 15s, but it may depend on the exact course you're running.

On the track I've found a slightly larger wheels than stock gave me advantagous gearing in the R56 JCW, there are several places I don't have to change up to 4th or 5th. I use Bridgestone RE-11A in 215/45-17.

 

I certainly wouldn't mind shorter gearing, but my main consideration is fitment. At the 225 width, the /17 is 25" diameter, the /16 is 24.9, and the /15 goes down to 23", which means an inch further from the fender, and about 5mph earlier 2-3 shift. But which of these are actually options that will work?

 

For BF Goodrich Rival tires-
225/45-15 fits rims 7-8.5" wide, your 6.5" rims are narrow but will work. 23" tire diameter is very small, ok for autocross and HPDE but not really good for street use. Lowered gearing is good for autocross. It won't rub.
225/50-16 fits rims 6-8" wide. 16x7" is fine but tire diam. is larger than OEM at 24.9". With stock suspension this is OK but not for lowered suspension. Taller than OEM tire diameter is not good for autocross. If you have early year MCS the manual gearing was lower so it might work. I would opt for OEM tire diam. or smaller.
215/45-17 fits rims 7-8" wide, 17x7" is fine and won't rub with stock suspension, it likely will rub if you lower it.

225mm wide tire of any diameter is best used with rims of 8" or wider size to get full use of the wide tread. If you are going to use a narrow rim then you won't get full use of the wider tire. A 7" wide rim will work with tires of 205-215mm wide just fine.

Note that using stock suspension and a lack of front negative camber will seriously handicap full use of the front tire tread width. You need negative camber of -2.0 to -2.5 degrees if you want avoid overworking your front tires.

So since 205/50-15 is sold out for the season on tirerack.com
Next best size is 225/45-16 at $121 each and weighs the least at 20 lbs. It's wide enough and gives you lowered gearing so 2nd gear is very usable and you can use your 15x6.5" wheels and upgrade to 15x8" later on. You can also drop your suspension 1" and it will work fine.

 

I run a 215/45/17 rival and I am about 1.75 lower than stock with minimal rubbing . Rim width is 8 inches.

Randy

 

Which MINI? R50/R53/R56?

What is your alignment/ how much negative camber?

I have a 2003 R53, H-sport springs, 1 " drop, 215/45-17 tires on 17x7" et42 rims and it rubbed in the rears under load and over dips.
I changed to Bilstein PSS9 coilovers dropped to 1.5" and rubbed in the rear with 215/45-17, ran -2.4 degrees negative camber in front with adjustable front camber plates. After that I just stuck with 205/45-17 tires.

 

2002. R53

M7 coilovers

1.5 neg front street push to 3.0 neg for spirited cyn and track with adj plates .

Rears 1.5 neg .

If I am in a tight left hand turn and incur a dip I will slightly rub the outside edge of the right rear . Been the same way for 10 years now so I can live with it

It does the same thing with my other street wheels which are 17/8 Hammans with a 42 off set and 215/45 BFG KDW/2 tires.

I can post a pic or two tomorrow .

Randy

 

Maxmini,

Your setup is "just right".

I think which coilovers are used may be a factor, as well as alignment.

The rear inner plastic wheel arches can be dremmeled for clearance.

I have also found which tire makes a difference as some have more square shoulder tread blocks. If you use a wider rim you can get a 215mm wide tire to round it's shoulder a little and that helps.

As the tire wears down which is common when using Extreme Summer tires you get less and less rubbing.

If your coilovers are stiffly rated you can get less body lean/roll which helps reduce rubbing.

215/45-17 can work, but there is more risk. 225/45-17 is too wide and too tall for a lowered suspension.

 

Thanks

After 11 years with the same car you begin to figure things out . You are correct about the plastic liner sections . You can get under there with a small grinder or let nature take its course . Rubber beats plastic eventually
As the rivals are new I don't have any decent photos as yet but these two are with same wheels as are currently on the car but with a set of Falken RT 615's which have the exact same minor contact issue so I think the profile must be quite close .

I agree on the 225's , there is no way I could swing those and still be able to drive where and and in the manner I am accustomed to .

Randy

 

It seems like the consensus is 215/17 will fit, particularly with something wider than 17x7, and 225/15 will fit.