Widest tire on r53
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
Do you want the tire to fit the 17x7" wheel or does it matter.
215 is the right size to use either 215/40-17 or 215/45-17.
When you use tire that are wider you won't make full use of the tire as it becomes pinched in to fit the narrow wheel width. It's a poor fit.
Imagine you have a fast big football player that wears a certain size shoe. Now make him play in shoes that are two sizes too small or too large. Does that work? No. You get subpar performance even if you could make it fit. The tire was not designed for that rim width.
225 to 245mm wide tire sizes tend to be 25" tire diameter or taller, a lowered suspension will give you much less clearance.
Tire selection is another problem once you leave 205 or 215 mm wide tires. Even 215/40-17 doesn't give you enough selection.
what is the tire being used for? car shows? On any bad roads? Daily driving? Any wet weather?
215 is the right size to use either 215/40-17 or 215/45-17.
When you use tire that are wider you won't make full use of the tire as it becomes pinched in to fit the narrow wheel width. It's a poor fit.
Imagine you have a fast big football player that wears a certain size shoe. Now make him play in shoes that are two sizes too small or too large. Does that work? No. You get subpar performance even if you could make it fit. The tire was not designed for that rim width.
225 to 245mm wide tire sizes tend to be 25" tire diameter or taller, a lowered suspension will give you much less clearance.
Tire selection is another problem once you leave 205 or 215 mm wide tires. Even 215/40-17 doesn't give you enough selection.
what is the tire being used for? car shows? On any bad roads? Daily driving? Any wet weather?
^^ 2nd that ^^
If for handling purposes, wider is not better with the MINI due to weight and size of the car....
If for looks, I think you can put up to a 9 inch rear wheel on w/o having to trim the rear trailing arms. But will have to accommodate an appropriate stance to prevent rubbing, and remove part of the wheel well liner as well....
IF, a daily driver. May just be a bag of worms left alone and perform other
mods to enhance handling characteristics, like a Hotchkis 25.5 mm hollow rear sway bar.....
If for handling purposes, wider is not better with the MINI due to weight and size of the car....
If for looks, I think you can put up to a 9 inch rear wheel on w/o having to trim the rear trailing arms. But will have to accommodate an appropriate stance to prevent rubbing, and remove part of the wheel well liner as well....
IF, a daily driver. May just be a bag of worms left alone and perform other
mods to enhance handling characteristics, like a Hotchkis 25.5 mm hollow rear sway bar.....