Isn't it true that 215/45/17 tires can and will touch the wheel arches when in pressure? Guys the ones that have fitted 215/45/17 havent you noticed this?

 

What do you by "in pressure"

215x45-17s are a pretty standard upgrade. The offset of the wheel and/or use of spacers will affect whether they rub. I have run offsets of 48 to 38 mm and have had zero rubbing.

 

I've used 220/45/17 on 7" wheels with 20mm spacers all around (unlowered} on GEN1 & 235/40/17{yes 235} on 7.5" wheels with 12mm spacers {JCW big brakes} in front & none in the rear on a lowered 2" all around GEN 2.

ISAMIN

 

Im mean either if the car is loaded, or its pressed in some curve!


What exactly is the offset that i read from many users here?

 

Yes. My 215/45/17 on the 17x8.25 +25mm rub a bit on quick tight turns.

 

The lower the offset the more it sticks out. I'm running 17x7 37 offset... ... I sit flush

goneFXcrazy has 17x8.25 25 offset .... go to willtheyfit.com ... play around with the wheel size and offset and you'll see what I'm talking about

 

For the record, I really like the way these look, but wish they had about 10mm less offset. *sigh* I hate limited markets.

 

Interestingly I noticed in the new F-series Clubman a spare donut is offered as a $100 option, even with the standard run-flats. Perhaps someone at Mini USA is finally listening, sorta, to our complaints.

 

My 235/40 17's DO NOT RUB on hard or fast turns. You guys need to measure. As soon as I figure out how to work this computer (I'm old) I'll send pix of all my mods.
Also have a wheel-rite tool for sale if anyone may be interested.

ISAMIN

 

Wheel specs, size and offset please and year model too!

 

Careful...

About measuring, you have put a 235/40 tire on a 7.5 inch wide wheel. Looking at the measurements of a 235/40 tire it is 9.5 inches wide but that is measured on an 8.5 inch wide wheel (From TireRack for a Dunlop ZII). By putting that tire on a 7.5 wide wheel you are pinching the tire and making it only 8.5 inches wide, which is basically the same width as a 215/45 tire (8.4 inches). So it makes sense that it fits in your case.

But put on a proper size rim that is 8.5 inches wide, I doubt that it would fit, especially in the rear. I say that based on my experience with my 225/45 tires. These are Toyo R888s on a 7 inch wide rim and these rub in the rear with a 45 mm offset wheel. These tires are 9.1 inches wide on 7.5 inch rim. So on my 7" wide rims they are about 8.6" wide. Again, close to the same width as the 215/45, but they do rub.

Just be aware that there are a lot of factors that going into measuring to figure out if a tire will fit. There is, of course the width of the tire both at the tread and at its max cross section. Then the height of the tire; with a taller tire, the point of maximum width will be higher and will rub sooner. Camber also plays into this equations, as does the change in camber as the wheel goes up into the wheel well. You have your car lowered, but you haven't said what your camber is set at. Spring rates and the allowed amount of travel that suspension has both are factors in this equation. Mod'ed suspension may limit the suspension travel. Also different manufacturers tires will be slightly different in actual dimensions versus the quoted dimensions. For example the Toyo R888s in a 235/40 are 9.6" wide as compared to the 9.5" for the ZIIs and theirs tread widths are 9.2" vs 8.7", respectively. So the R888s will likely rub before the ZIIs will.

This is why most people just try out wheel/tire combinations. The 215/45x17 tires have been put on MINIs since the MINIs first came out. So, yes they fit, on stock wheels and likely most aftermarket wheels. But for larger sizes...I would say find a way to try them first.

 

In case you were wondering what 215/45/17 looks like on a 17x8.25" wheel