After install of new Michelin 205 / 50 / 16 tires on my '09 Clubman the wheel gap is uneven. While I didn't measure the gap with the OEM run flats to the naked eye it's a noticeable difference between driver/passenger side. On even ground it's approx. 1/2" but on my gravel driveway it's like 2". I didn't inspect the car after they put the new tires, just noticed it a couple of weeks later [like I said the gap varies depending on surface]. I also installed 10mm spacers after the fact. Performance/ride seem unaffected, it's a cosmetic issue. I understand there can a be a settling period but it should have settled by now. Any ideas? TIA.

 

I think maybe you're not getting answers because guys don't know exactly to what "gap" you are referring ... I know I don't. Gap between top of tire and wheel well? I'm not sure what you're talking about.

 

Yes, the gap between the top of the tire and the bottom of the wheel well trim.

 

Did you have the wheel trim replaced or any body work ? Might have a saggy spring or trailing arm bushing is shot or it will need alignment. Have you changed out the suspension at any time.

 

I'm with ECS. That gap really has nothing to do with new tires unless the shop really screwed something up, and in that case I would think you'd have alignment-style drivability issues: pulling, etc.

 

No mods or body work. It just seems ironic a suspension part would go out ATST I replaced tires. They used a floor jack if that makes a difference.

 

Check for a cracked or saggy spring, compare the springs. Also the drive the car, then come back and compare the suspension has to settle once its lifted on a side.

 

Yea, unless they put two different size tires

 

LOL yeah but that would be a MAJOR f-up and the car would be noticeably "crooked." Maybe even get an ABS CEL if the diameter/rev per mile was different enough.

OP: try parking your car backed in the same spot on your gravel driveway where you say the gap is 2" and see if it changes.

 

If that needed clarified - four (4) NEW 205/50/16 Michelin.

 

I think ECS was mostly joking about the shop screwing up and mistakenly installing different sizes, not you requesting them...

 

Taking it back to Tire Discounters today. FYI there are no driveability issues. I'll have my MINI mechanic look at it when I bring it in for an oil change in 2 weeks.

 

ok, sounds like a plan, you dont want to chew up the tires.

 

TD jacked it up and didn't find anything suspect with the suspension. I'll have my ace MINI mechanic check it.

 

I also installed 10mm spacers after the fact.

if you jacked it up to install spacers after the tire place jacked it .... I'd say you're SOL trying to hang anything on them . . . if there IS anything wrong

 

The assistant manager couldn't find anything suspect. At this point I don't know what / if anything is "wrong". It just seems the wheel gap is about 1/2" greater on the left rear than the right [which he concurred]. All I'm trying to do at this point is determine if something is incorrect. *

The guy said he doesn't know jack about MINIs so I'll get my mechanic put it on the lift and check it.


* It's also possible that going from 195/55/16 to 205/50/16 the descripency [if present before] became more noticable due to the slightly shorter tire.

 

Yes, it is possible that when switching to a new tire with less than OEM tire diameter you can sense/notice the wheel gap more. At the same time, if your OEM 16" tires were very worn then they also were less than OEM tire diameter.

Odds are you had the larger wheel gap all along but did not notice it.

There can be a little sag on the opposite side rear suspension, perhaps due to heavy loads placed on that side of the car at some point. Have you hauled any construction materials in the rear?

It's worth the effort to inspect the rear suspension thoroughly for any damage, leaks or differences.

 

Pictures would help and so would some measurements. Go around and write down the measurements from the center of the hub to the wheel lip and let us know.

 

Nix on hauling heavy loads. Here's some pixs.

 

Yes, it's a little off.

You can also check the tire tread wear pattern on the old rear tires, if they wore the same then it's not something badly wrong with the suspension.

What about bouncing the rear suspension? Same stiffness on both right and left rear?

 

In the two years I drove on the run flats there was little wear, let alone uneven. The suspension is quite stiff, little travel and seems even on both sides.

 

Have you owned the car since new? If not maybe the past owners passenger weighed quite a bit more then the driver, or they hauled something in the back alot and on that side.. We've all seen older cars going down the road and it leans to one side. Usually the driver side though.. and with the way MINI specs are you may just have a slightly different spring rate on one side then the other and just now noticed it as other mentioned above..