Hey guy I need some input on this.

I have stock ride hight on my R56. I like it that way. But I was thinking of closing the gap by putting on a taller tire. 215/50/17 vs 215/45/17

Has anyone done this? The tire guys are concerned that it will rub.

 

I recently read a thread with someone that put 205/55/17 on and was experiencing rubbing during hard turns, so you may. Your speedometer will also read lower speed than you are actually going. I did what that on my last car and was pulled over for going faster than I thought I was going. I'm not a big fan of increasing ride height. It throws off geometry and airflow and will reduce handling. Something like JCW springs (.4" drop) or soon to be released TSW springs (1" drop front / .75" drop rear) that lower the car a bit but not so much that you introduce other problems might be a better direction to go.

 

I highly doubt it'll rub...I'm running 215/45/17 lowered and have 5mm spacers and don't rub at all.

 

I talked to Todd and he said it sould be fine. the 215 is not the problem it's the hight that you get from making it 50 when it should be at 45.

Todd says it will add about an inch in hight to the side wall. I'm not so worried about the speed as may car already reads 3 MPH faster. Pluss I drive with the flow most of the time.

Anyway I'm going to do it and take a chance that it will work. I'm mainly looking to fill the gap a litte without lowering the car and the added wall will cushion the ride a little more too I think.

 

215/45 is perfect

 

Sure you'll "close the gap" with 215/50's but your mini will be higher up in the air than it was before. 215/45 looks good if you lower it

 

Mike, please shoot some before and after pictures if you can.

 

I have 215/45/17's with the car lowered about 1" (H&R Coilovers) and haven't had any rubbing issues. I won't think you would have to worry about rubbing going to the 50 series tires.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm heading down now to get my tires and will be putting a hundred miles on my car by the end of the day so I'll have some relative information by then.

I'll take some cell phone pics while I'm out too.

 

Keep in mind that bigger tires mean heavier tires (more un-sprung weight). This means slower acceleration, longer braking distance and fewer miles per gallon.

 

Well I took some before and after pictures but you can't tell that much of a difference and I took them with my I phone and still need to loads them.

I've been riving around on the new tires for a couple days. and here is my conclusion.

Ride hight is fine. it doesn't rub at all under normal driving conditions. It does rub a little when making a sharp uturn.

As for handling I can't tell eny difference in handling from what it was before. But I havn't taking the MINI through the twisties yet.

I did see that my MPH went down by 3. Now it runns the same speed as my Garmin. GPS. SO I think it is more accurate now.

So thanks for all the advice. I'm ok with these tires but I think I'll go back to 45s when I get another set.