I have a 17x7 wheel with 38 offset and am wanting to find a tire for this spring. Does a 215-45-17 rub at all with stock suspension. I have no intention of ever lowering this car.

What about 215-40-17?

Thanks,
k

 

I have wheels with a 42 offset and run 215/40-17 without a problem.
I am moving to 45 profile after bending two wheels on pot-holes. The 45s are not mounted yet but from the space I have with the 40s they should not be a problem.

 

Anyone on here running 38 offset with these size tires and stock suspension?

 

With stock suspension you won't have any rubbing problems with either tire size at that offset, I believe. That said, I'd prefer a 215/40-17 because it's slightly shorter and will provide a less insulated ride and shorter gearing for slightly better acceleration. You may want the 215/45-17 if you don't want to be always on the lookout for potholes or want a little more comfortable ride.

 

I am running 37mm offset Kosei K1s, 215/40/17 RT-615s and pretty lowered--no rubbing. Certainly cant be rubbing with stock suspension.

 

Dr. phil,

do you have any concerns with the change in handling or other changes to the car with the 37mm offset? It sounds like 215-45 with 38 offset should fit fine then on a stock suspension.

 

I never noticed any changes when moving to 37mm offset. However I have pretty aggressive "street-track" alignment, and every part of the suspension/brakes/wheels is not stock, so my setup is not a good comparison. Still, I doubt you'll have problems with those wheels/tires on stock suspension.
Good luck!

 

Just picked up a set Kosei K1's with a 37mm offset and they came wrapped with 225/45/17 r-compounds. I bought them used on eBay, mainly wanting the rims only. I'll be test fitting them this weekend to see if there is any rubbing on my lowered 1.2" frt/ 1" rear Mini.....

Wish me luck....

 

You might get a little rubbing on the rear inner wheel arch plastic. Just trim it away with a dremmel tool.

Why? Because the 225/45-17 is taller and wider than stock and the +38mm offset is 10mm more to the outside of the car which is where the wheel arch plastic is closest.

225/45-17 has been known to rub even with stock suspension under a full load, 4 people in your MINI or over dips and on hard cornering. It's not a size that is often used or recommended.

You can also try to increase rear negative camber a little to get some clearance.

R compound tires are not for street use, mainly for track and can be used for autocross if the rubber is very soft. Which R Compound tires are they and how used are they? Usually the best R compound tires are worn out after about 6 to 10 autocrosses or about 1-2 track days. They might look OK but the rubber has gone through enough heat cycles to have become hard and less useful for performance driving (still you can drive on them a little) at the highest level. Don't drive them on the street if wet, you'll get no traction and lots of hydroplaning.

 

I think there might be more than a little rubbing with these tires mounted on a +35 offset rim (17 x 7.5).....

They are Kumho V700's, treadwear is 50, and seller stated they were used by him for three autoX's after he got them from somebody else. Tread depth is 5mm in the outside two grooves and about 3 1/2mm in the center. Tread depth is not an issue but as you stated about heat cycles, that could be the issue. I'm thinking about using these at Watkins Glen Raceway in May for a DE I signed up for with a bunch of other Mini owners. In April when the car goes back on the road (dropped insurance for winter) I'll mount all four and take it for a spin to check how much rubbing there is. Or maybe I should just swap them over to my other Kosei's that have a +45 offset....

I also have a set of 17 x 7 BSA rims but I'm not sure these would fit a 7" rim..

By the pic of the rear tire, I don't think rear camber can be adj enough to prevent rubbing...

But I do like the look though...