I recently bought some SSR GT1's from Tire Rack. I ended up getting 18x7.5s and outfitted them with the reccommended 235/35-18.

I came out to my car today and found my Rear Fendor arch was completely gone. As I started looking closer, I realized it appears the rear tires are rubbing. My car is completely stock so I was surprised to have any problems.

Any one had similair experiences?

I have an email to Tire Rack in to see what they will do.

 

235/35-18? That's at least one size too wide It also doesn't matter that your car is otherwise stock...

Tire rubbing is NOT a function of ride height, but wheel offset, tire size, and camber setting!

 

is the first picture on the driver or passenger side????

if its on the driver side, even your tire rotation direction isnt right!

 

I've always been wondering why Tire Rack recommends 215/35-18 tires (or even 225 or 235) for 18" wheels, and JCW 18" wheels are equipped with 205/40-18 tires.

I have been struggling back & forth between the SSR Integral GT-1 18" wheels and the JCW 18" wheels. Both look fantastic. The GT-1's are much lighter, and about $800 cheaper if equipped with 215.

However, if equipped with the same tires as JCW wheels (205/40-18) the only tire option in that size seems to be the ones on the JCW wheels: Dunlop runflats. That brings the price up much closer to the JCW wheel price, and the weight difference doesn't become all that significant.

All in all, I had just about talked myself out of the SSR GT-1's and into the JCW wheels. This post clenches it for me.

 

Please don't mention clench in another post...it sums up all the wrong kind of images, lol

I think that the word you were looking for was 'clinch'

Cheers,

Henry

 

The 205/40-18 didn't exist until JCW contacted Dunlop and had them make a tire for their 18x7" wheel for the MINI. Before then, 215 was the narrowest size for an 18" performance tire. The reason JCW wanted a 205 was to keep the same width as the 17" tires, to keep rolling resistance down [to keep fuel economy up] while resisting hydroplaning that tends to happen with to too wide a tire.

215/35-18 and 225/35-18 are appropriate sizes for the MINI because they are about the same diameter as stock. The 225 will present more rubbing issues, being almost an inch wider than a 205 wide stock tire.

 

Michelin and Toyo also make a 205/40-18. Michelin is the Pilot Sport and the Toyo is the Proxes 4. I'm running the Proxes 4 and have no problems with rubbing. I have H-Sport springs and have the rear camber set at -1.5 degrees. Rims are Centerline RPM 18 x 7 with a +42 offset. Hope this helps!


P.S. Haven't updated my sig yet. :smile:

 

I have no problems with rubbing, my MCS are running with 18" Evo (18" x 8" X 42 offset) with 215-35-18 and I had an Alta spring install last week. Can't wait to take some pic to show you all...

 

First Picture was on the Passenger side. The rotation is definitely correct.

Tarzan - To make it a little easier for you, Tire Rack has stopped carrying the SSR GT1s which is what put me into the 18's. I actually wanted 17s. I'm not sure if it is because SSR is going to stop making them or Tire Rack just stopped carrying them.

I was personally avoiding the JCW's because of weight and I didn't want to have use a steering limiter. I like my turning radiuses as they are.

So theoretically a 215/35-18 should work with the Rim and not have the rub? Im a little novice in what Tire sizes will fit on which rim widths. I thought the width would be equal?

 

SSR must have stopped making them. According to their website, these are the only sizes available for the GT1:

http://www.speedstar.co.jp/collection/ssr_gt1/spec.htm

No four lug bigger than 16x7.

 

I just visited tire rack and when I selected a SSR wheel 18x7.5 for a MINI, and then put them in my cart to select tires, the site suggested 215's, not 235's

Best thing to do is to call Alex@tirerack since he is our sponsor and tire/wheel advisor here.

 

dang 235's on a MINI..should look pretty good though if it was lowered, tucked inside the wheel well using control arms (lots of neg camber). :smile:

 

Couple of Updates
1) I mistyped my tire size.. Is actully 215 NOT 235

2) After talking with Tire Rack went by a local performance shop to have them expect the tires for what the rub was.

Their opinion is that there has actually been a measurement change in the rear for the 05's. They had another 05 in the shop a couple of weeks ago and noticed you could adjust camber now. So what is happening is that when the suspension compresses, the tire rubs against the front of the Fendor, around the 2 o'clock position. So looks like I'll need to get something slimmer.

 

Front of the fender at 2 o'clock.... from the passenger side? I thought

it hits at the rear top area about 2 o clock if looked at from the driver's
side.

anyway, why not just get the camber adjusted since you have
adjustability? I'd trim the fender a little bit but go -1.8 or -2 on
the rear for street. :smile: will look very good (imo).

 

Alex will caution you that almost any 215 tire on a MINI could rub in the back, so this has nothing to do with the SSR wheel.

I am very surprised, though, that you're getting enough rubbing to A: see it on the tire, and B: have it rip parts off the car. My 215/50R16 Avons rub when the suspension loads up, and we have a guy in our club who just got 215/35R18's, and another with 215/40R17's. None of us can see any evidence of damage, either to our tires or to the insides of the wheel-wells. We've looked extensively.

In fact, the guy with the 18's is driving an '05. I think you might be looking at a fairly unique situation here. It could be that your camber is 0, or maybe even a little positive. That would certainly cause some more damage during the rubs. But honestly, you should only be getting the rubs when accelerating very hard with someone in the back seat or when hitting big dips.

Of course, if you really don't want to keep those wheels, I'd be more than willing to make you an offer.

 

[QUOTE=MacGuruTX]Couple of Updates
They had another 05 in the shop a couple of weeks ago and noticed you could adjust camber now.QUOTE]

Just have a question on this. 2005 MCS stock can be able to adjust the camber now with out an upgrade camber plats??

 

There are no camber plates for the rear; this is effected by adjusting the control arms.

 

How many degrees? (Limit)

 

Stock? No clue. Mine is a 2004. But the H-Sports, which allow for a ton of adjustment, go from 0 to -4.

Almost all stock set-ups vary, but I've seen anywhere from 0 to -2 degrees. All of this on "non-adjustable" control arms, too.

I renew my offer to take those dreaded GT1's... PM me, MacGuruTX, if you're interested in moving to another wheel.

 

What offset are the wheels?

From the 3rd pic, it seems that the wheels stick too far out. I dont know..maybe because of the angle.

I have 18x7.5 offset +40 and I had the same wheel size with offset +42 and had (still having) only a tiny little bit of rubbing problem. Only happens when the car is under full load (4 passengers)

so, it's best to check your offset. I think the best offset for mini is +42

 

The best offset is the one that doesn't rub.

For a stock suspension MINI the offset range is about +37mm to +48mm in general. This assumes wheel width up to about 7 or 7.5"

Once you lower your MINI you have less room. The range shrinks to about +42mm to +48 with +45mm being relatively safe for rims up to 7.5" and in 16 to 18" diameter.

I have 17x7 rims with offset +42mm and do rub (under load and on corners) with H-sport springs.