Hi guys, I have an 06 R53 that currently sits at stock ride height. Planning on dropping the car a bit (did this in past on coilovers but blew a damper so went back to stock setup). I’m not exactly sure what the offset of the wheels (Enkie RPF1s) is as I write this but what I do know is things sit too far inboard. Need suggestions on what size spacers in mm (and brand) to go F/R and interested to know if new lugs would be required. Running continentals in 215s if that matters. Pix of your setup if you have any would be a great help. Thanks

 

What are you using your MINI for? Only street driving? Any cold weather under 40 degrees?

Keeping your current Continentals?

RPF1 come in 17x7" et 35 or 43mm
43 is closer to stock only 5mm more outward, 35 is more aggressive, you may not need to use a spacer.

With anything but a thin 3mm spacer you may need a longer wheel bolt or change to longer wheel studs and add nuts. You need enough threads on the bolt to secure the wheel.

Dropped suspension gives less clearance for a taller diameter tire like 215/45-17. 205/45-17 would fit better. A wider wheel width and more aggressive offset would make clearance even less.

 

Street use in so cal. I think I have et43. Keeping contis. Mistake not going with et35 but I let shop where I purchased car on consignment decide and was in a rush to get it done so left it up to them. Never again on something like that. I think car uses wheel bolts not lug nuts so maybe 5mm spacer + longer bolt will do? Just put 5mm and 7mm on my Porsche 993 and was amazed at the increase in steering response. Assuming same result with the mini once it’s done. Any decent sources for a good quality hub-centric design?

 

It's really up to you and how much clearance you need or the look you want.

we offer both 5mm
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-5m...l-spacers.html

and 15mm
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-15...l-spacers.html

 

OK, Your choice on spacer width. Just look at your current wheels and decide how much poke you want. Longer wheel bolts always a good idea with spacers, no need to go too extreme.

 

Revisiting this thread since I put off replacing rear tires that are cupped (alignment prob? been told this is common problem with R53MCS's). Want to put the spacers on when I get some new rear rubber. I see the 5mm and 15mm on offer by WMW but is there nothing in between? It appears that the rears on my car (visually) are inboard more than the front wheels meaning that putting 5mm in front (or nothing at all) and 15mm may work but 15 may be a bit much without adjusting my camber. Fortunately I have aftermarket parts in rear that will allow for that but I may need to throw on my fixed camber plates up front if I push the wheels out with a 5mm spacer. I removed the fixed camber plates up front because my one of my coil overs was blown (KW's ST line -total crap and way too harsh anyway). Went back to stock. Which brings me to the question of what might offer a better ride (stock is pretty harsh too but just sitting higher up).