I have the opportunity to buy some lightweight wheels/ tires CHEAP. Problem is they are 17x7 +54 offset with 225 45 17. Is this even do-able? How much of the wheel arch would need to be removed? Currently I have the stock springs on the car.

Don't everyone laugh at once at my question. :smile:

Now who is going to say "body kit"?

 

Actually depending upon the wheel center you might be able to have them machined down some. That's pretty much how the manufacture does it, it's not like they make different ones from different molds. You just need enough center to hold it to the hub. Call the manufacture and ask.

 

I'm looking at this picture and how would you have the wheel "machined down". Is that something you can get done away from the manufactuer?

This would be a private purchase, not from a manufactuer.
Thanks.

 

I think a good person to ask if Alex@tirerack.com. Normally for a stock suspension MINI we like to have offset from +37mm to about +48 or 50mm but most times we do not see rims that are +54mm. My gut feeling is that you will get rubbing if you use this wheel as is.

The 225/45-17 are a bit large and with a lowered MINI it would be inviting rubbing but in a stock MINI it would be OK but only if the offset was in the range above. With the offset at +54mm and with the wider tire you'd risk rubbing.

Please do confirm with Alex though to be sure. And double check that the wheels are 4x100 bolt pattern and indeed 17x7" +54mm offset.

What tires are we talking about here? What is the rim?

 

Yes, changing the distance in that arrow is what determines the offset.

A good machine shop can do it for you. Or as I suggested, you might check with the manufacture about doing it if in the country. And if I planned on doing the change I'd call them anyhow and ask if they offer it in the number you want to be sure it COULD be done. Save some head scrathing later.

 

My concern is that you have a higher than acceptable offset. The distance between the arrows is 54 mm. To get a 7 to fit I'd expect 35-45 mm offsets.

To decrease the distance between the arrows, you want to add well engineered spacers or additonal mass to the mounting flange (the later is impossible on a finnished wheel for many reasons), NOT decrease the flange size.

As far as macheneing a wheel to fit, aka taking and ultra low offset and raising it
(taking a 35 mm offset miata wheel and grinding 10 mm off) to get it to fit is not a process I or most wheel manufactures would endorse.

The flange is one of the highest stress points on a wheel.

Alex

 

Hey Alex, you're right on the numbers of course. I hate the offset thing, talk back space and I'm all over it. I was thinking of the 54 being reduced to 45 or so would be relative to how much material is on the hub face. Glad you're here to strighten me out.

I'm confused however. It is also stated above that tire will fit but over hang the body. With a clearer picture in my head now, won't that big offset now place the tire much to close to the strut?

I'll defer the comments pro and con on spacers to you. You da wheel man.

 

Yes, its very likely there would be an interior rub with such a high offset.

Alex

 

Thanks for the help, I guess CHEAP is not better. Looks like I'm better off saving my pennies and getting the proper size and offset.

What is an acceptable range of offset for the MINI S?

 

on a 7 inch width 37-50, depending on wheel design.

Alex