I did a search but couldn't find anything on this particular tire size. I'm putting 215/45/17's on my R56S this week. Is it possible to lower this without rubbing?

 

I think it depends on how low you lower it. 215's are a little wider and a little taller. The bang for your buck is so slight I would stick with 205's.

Take a look at the below link and you can plug the sizes in and see the exact difference. Good luck...

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

 

My 215/45/17's are already here (arrived today). They are almost exactly the same rolling diameter as the 195/55/16's that came on the car (and therefore, the same wheel gap). I'm hoping the increase in width isn't going to cause a problem if I try to lower it using the Mach V or H&R springs (1.25 - 1.5" I think).

 

There are quite a few people who are running 215/45/17s on dropped R56s. Adam at Alta is one of them. PM him and ask him about rubbing issues. I don't think he has any.

I just dropped my MINI today with H&R springs, and still have a little gap with the stock 205/45/17s. I can't imagine that moving up to a 215/45/17 and adding 1/2 an inch in OD would make that big of a difference.

 

I have 225/35/18's with H&R's. A little rubbing on larger bumps and dips but nothing too bad.

 

215/45/17 is a much more common size and, therefore, you actually get more literal bang for the buck than the oddball MINI size of 205/45/17

although this is a useful tool and I use it often, keep in mind that not all 215/45/17's are created equal. You need to check out the specs of the actual tire you are buying. Example - I'm running 215/45/17 Bridgestone RE-01R. The 215/35/18 Yokohama Parada Spec-2 I had on the last set were almost a half inch narrower.

My RE01R's are sized like a 225. That said....although I have an R53, I'm lowered and don't have clearance issues. Camber plates and adjustable control arms help. The R56 has more room in the fenders than my car. Mach V Dan is running 235's on his R56.

 

Your right, the prices for 215/45/17's were MUCH better than the 205's.

I used the calculator, and even though it told me that the 215/45/17 was almost exactly the same diameter as the stock 195/55/16, the reality is that the new tires are around an inch bigger than the old ones. The originals were Goodyear Excellence and the new ones are Kumho Ecsta's.

 

I've run half a dozen sets in 215/45/17 in the last three years and there's little downside, so long as your wheels aren't a funky offset

 

Running stock 205/45/17s (sport suspension pkg) and Mach V springs on an R56. Lots of room. (one passenger no back seats)

 

I have 215/45/16s on H&Rs, no rubbing problems. Should be a little wider than the 17s ( a little less sidewall but whos counting) Hankook RS2s, they're pretty loud but grip well and aren't bad in the rain. I'm happy overall.

Have fun!
Josh

 

Im running 215/45/17s with Hankook ventus rs2, H&R coilovers, had rubbing issue cause i dropped the car too low, but once i found a good ride height all was good. true test on this Sat. at Limerock.

 

Good luck at LRP. I was just there Friday and had a great time.

It was cold! I'm sure it will be again this weekend. Take your time warming up the tires. Even 5 laps into the first session people were spinning at big bend and left hander

Have fun!

 

215/45's on "s"-lites, Lowered about 1.5 inches, no rubbing unless I do a big costco run (big car won't hold as much as the MINI"

 

That's definitely a consideration. We make Costco runs all the time. And you're right, we can pack nearly as much into the MINI as we can in our Dodge Ram pickup.

 

Did you even read the OP's 1st post???

 

Yes.

 

Thanks everyone for the great input. So it looks like lowering it won't be a problem for clearance. But, how much will I sacrifice in ride quality if I just swap out springs on the standard non-sport suspension? Would I need to add camber plates also? I'm really enjoying the improvement in ride and noise now that I've gotten rid of the runflats and I'd hate to go right back to the same rough ride by lowering.

 

It will be rough. You cannot have good handling without the sacrifice. I have had H&R on my prev. car and it handled like dream but the ride was non of my concern and it was rough. And the front end scraped alot but it was a minor cosmetic damage. Looks like I might be lowering my car this weekend.

 

anyone know where I can get lowering springs from in the UK?

 

http://www.minimaniauk.co.uk/

 

Thanks! will check it out!