I'm getting ready for winter (I know it sounds insane, but here in the Rockies it's only three months away) and I want 15" wheels to mount snow tires on. I have a 2007 mcs and I understand that because of the size of the front brakes 15" wheels are problematic. Reading the threads here, however, leads me to believe there are some possibilities. I want a wheel under $100 each. Any insights?

 

I too wanted to put some 15" wheels on my 07 MCS. I ordered some 15x7.5, 40 offset Slipstreams from 18 racing. They apparently thought that I wanted them for an R53. Interestingly they fit fine around the brakes on the front just fine. On the rear they ran into the big aluminum arm that holds the wheels. It would have taken a very large spacer to clear the arm. With 16 inch and larger wheels the arm has room to tuck inside the wheel, i.e. the stock 16 has a 48 offset and it of course works fine. I put dowels in the wheel bolt holes and then put washers on them to see what offset would clear. Unfortunately I don't have the numbers anymore, but I did determine that 15x7 40 or 35 offset would not clear and that 15x6.5 40 would not clear. The 15x6.5 35 may just clear. It was too close to call. That being said the tire rack has some 15x7 and 15x6.5 with 38 and 37 offset that they say will clear. To find them just search a 2006 MCS with the lastest build date. If they are correct then the Rota Slipstreams 15x6.5 with a 35 offset will fit too. 18 racing also thought that their Grid and RB models would work as well and they may come in 35 offsets as well. I decided just to go with 16 Slipstreams with a 45 offset rather than risking the 15's again and having to send back a 2nd set. I live in the Rockies as well and I ordered the all season runflats so I'll use those as my winter tires. Good luck.

Mark

 

Go to tirerack.com list your car as 2007 MCS and search for wheels for winter packages.

You'll find in 15" wheels:
Motegi Racing SX5 $99 each Black or Silver with machined lip 15x6.5"
Kosei K1 TS $149 each Silver, Light Grey, or Orange 15x7"
O.Z. Chrono HT $185 each Silver, Matte Graphite, Black 15x7"
O.Z. Ultraleggera $185 Matte Silver 15x7"
Motegi Track Traklite
15x6.5" $224 each Flat Black or Anthracite with Machined lip
15x7" $232 each Flat Black or Anthracite with Machined lip
Motegi Track Traklite 2.0
15x7" $232 each Flat Black or Silver with Machined lip

Contact Alex@tirerack.com for more info.

 

I wouldn't think that 15 inch wheels would be all that problematic for the MCS because the brake diamter is not all that much different. Check some other guys in the mini 5280 club to see how they feel about the idea of putting 15s on in the winter time.

 

Stock 15" wheels from the new MC won't fit the R56 MCS- the front calipers are just too big to clear.

Therefore there are aftermarket rims that don't clear as well and unless you are dealing with a vendor that knows this, it's potentially problematic.

Shopping at tirerack and using that list mention gives you a bit of safety for fitment.

 

Does that also mean that the spare from an R56 MC will not fit on the front of an R56 MCS? Just curious because I'm looking for a temporary spare for when I run my non-runflat tires.