If you have problem with rubbing, what was the offset and size of your wheels? What tires were you using? How much trimming did you do?

I currently have 17x7 wheel with a +36mm offset on stock height and with 215/40/17s I have way too much space between the fender and the tire..
So I just order a set of H-sport springs and would like to know how serious the rubbing is going to be.

 

I think it will depend on what brand & type of tires you run but wheels with an offset of 36 is pushing it. From what I have read between 40 and 45 is best. But what do I know, my car isn't lowered, yet :smile:

 

well I'm expecting to do some trimming..
How much, I'll have to see.

 

I had MCS with H-sport springs and 17x7 rim with +42mm offset and 215/45-17 tire that rubbed in the rear wheels only with four people in the car or over rough bumps. I didn't trim because with one or two people it was OK.

With +36mm offset you will likely rub in the rear so trim the inside upper rear edges of the inner wheel well with a dremmel. Probably it will only be slight rubbing since you have 215/40-17 tires which are not as large as stock tires.

 

I have Kosei K-1 TS wheels 205/45-17 with a +42mm offset and H-sport springs. I get slight rubbing on the driver's side rear wheel on hard cornering and large road dips.

 

Running H-Sports +42mm SSR Comps16x7.5 205/50/16 GS-D3's
no rubbing...

 

h-sport springs falken 215/35/18 45 offset

no issues.
doug

 

Just a little update to a thread I started.
Got H-Sport springs installed yesterday.
Rear looks like it is already settled and no rubbing so far.
How long for them to settle fully?
Currently the front still has the wheel gap, but the rear is gone
Wheels are 17x7 +36mm offset.
Tires are 215/40/17

 

I got H-Sport spings installed yesterday too VOID . I got that extra set Randy had.

I hope I don't get any rubbing once the springs settle.
R99 17x7
OEM Goodyear Runflats

 

you won't rub on factory wheels unless you get some 225 width tires mounted or something.

 

Thats good to know. Since the springs were an impulse buy I never thought about rubbing.

 

I'm curious, why do some of you good kind folk run 215/45s? This is not a correct size for the Mini if you are following pure plus sizing. I could predict rubbing problems with this tire size when paired with a lowered car. This is a taller tire - hurts acceleration, it is potentially heavier, hurts acceleration and braking.

Again, just curious, not passing judgement.

 

So far this is what I observed.

205/45 -> Not many choices

215/40 -> Not many meet the minimum load rating for the Mini

 

Kumho (712), Yokohoma(ES100) and Michelin Pilot (Exalto) have Ultra Performance tires available in the size 205/45/17.

I've used all three, the latter is currently on the Mini. I've driven 230,000 miles on the first two - 100K +/- on each, and 1,000 miles on the Exalto. All three are perfect for daily driving and occasionaly DE events. These are not Max performance tires, nor are these snow worthy. The first two are extremely economical but become noisy and distorted after 30K miles or so becasue of their un-directional pattern; they can only be rotated front to back. I chose the Michelin hoping to avoid this problem. The Michelins are better in some areas and not so good in others...but I'll give these another 1,000 miles before making a black and white comparison.

Your car won't rub using a 205/45/17 unless you drop the ride height too far...duh!

 

meb- you forgot to list that they are too "meaty" looking. :smile:

 

The main reason for most of us is-
205/45-17 is the OEM size but few tires are easy to get depending on where you live. In my area this size is not being stocked by any retail sources for non runflats. The dealership is willing and able to sell runflats at retail prices.

So we can then choose for 205/45-17 via mail order but still the selection is much more limited than if we use 215/40-17 or 215/45-17. Doesn't mean there are not some good tires in 205/45-17 but much less to choose from.

215/45-17 is slightly tall (more chance for rubbing if you lower your car) and 215/40-17 is slightly shorter than stock which means harder riding (40 series) and less load rating than stock.

Some lowered MINIs will not rub with 215/45-17 or at least minimally so. H-sport offer a 1" drop so there is risk for rubbing. More lowered and you'd get more chance for rubbing. With a coilover suspension you can adjust to just the right level to avoid rubbing.

Hopefully more and more tires will be available in 205/45-17. It's actually quite a good size for normal street use.

 

Thanks minhune.