Hi All,
I've been searching online for months for this answer & need your advice.

My 2011 R55 Clubman JCW came with 18" Cross Spoke R113 rims (7Jx18 ET52) & 215/40/18 tires. The ride is awful, very harsh but doesn't rub at all.
I don't want to buy new rims so Im wondering if I can add more sidewall for more comfort without rubbing? I realize I'm close to the limits in terms of clearance but wonder if a 215/45/18 would rub at all?

Quick specs:
215/40/18215/45/18Thanks in advance.

 

I don’t think you’ll get the ride quality you want with those 18” wheels. Weight and tire side wall are both factors that contribute to ride quality, and 18” wheels on a Mini get hit with both. For the best ride, a light weight 17 rim with a 215/45 Grand Touring style tire is going to be best.

If you really can’t get new wheels, I wouldn’t go any bigger than 215/40-18 for tires. There just isn’t much clearance in the fenders for anything bigger. Plus, a bigger tire is going to add more weight, which will make the ride worse.

Where are you located? Maybe find a local Mini club member that would trade wheels with you?

 

Saw this old thread and couldn’t resist adding that I’ve had good luck with 225/40R18 on stock suspension, but 225/45R18 started to kiss the liners on big dips. Curious if anyone has tried 215/45R18 lately? Seems like it might be the sweet spot for a taller sidewall without getting into constant rubbing.

 

I’ve run 225/40R18 on my R56 JCW with no real drama, just a light kiss on the liners at full lock. Anything taller, like 45-series, started rubbing on bigger hits. Wheel offset and ride height make a big difference. Funny enough, sorting out my own setup was easier than dealing with a heavy truck tire repair Montreal job I once had, but the idea is similar: small changes matter a lot.