Im lookin at buying team dynamic racing pro race 1 wheels for my 2004 mini. The size was 17x7. The offset i was looking at is 45mm, but what about spacers?? I see some people have 50mm offset, 35.... what does all that mean?? What about spacers?? Reccomed tires??

Thanks

 

Stock size is 17x7" 4x100 bolt pattern +48mm offset (et 48)
Stock size tires are 205/45-17 but you can also use 215/45-17.

With stock suspension you can use different offsets from about +37mm to +45mm and it will fit. 45mm offset will place the wheel closer to the inside of the wheel well while +35mm offset will be further to the outside of the car.

If offset is less like +35mm then you need to limit the size of the tire diameter to stock which is about 24.4" or you can risk rubbing the inside plastic liner on the wheel arches. If you lower your supension you will have even less clearance and a slightly smaller diameter tire may work a bit better like 215/40-17 or 205/40-17.

Spacers can be used but in your case you don't need them. The spacer is between the wheel hub and the wheel itself. This would mean that a 5mm spacer would change offset from +45mm to +40mm and place the wheel further outside the wheel well.

Thin spacers like 3mm help with clearance and don't usually require longer lug bolts or longer studs. MINI has wheel bolts but you can change them to studs of the correct length to fit your spacers or wheels using lug nuts (can be closed or open ended).

Thick spacers push out the wheels quite far like 20mm to 90mm. You sometimes need a wide fender kit to go along with ultra wide rims (9") and wide tires. See
http://www.performancealloys.com/all...el_spacers.asp

 

I have the PR1.2s and use 8mm spacers in front with 215/45s. You should be good for 15mm front and 5mm rear with oem size rubber.

 

What should my offset be?? I plan on lowering it a bit, and adding a big break kit soon. I would like to have a wide stance not narrower. What about 5mm spacer all around? If the stock offset is +48 but the wheels only come in +45, does this mean I have to purchase other items?? What abouth the stock oem lugs, will they fit??

Thanks for your help

 

While you can add spacers they would be basically for looks in your case and keep in mind that wider stance can mean more stress on your wheel bearings, they can wear out faster as a result.

Anytime you can run a wheel with no spacers it would be preferable.

Wide stance will not help you on the street in most cases. Often spacers can be helpful to for clearance so the wheels don't rub against suspension parts, however in your case there is little risk of that.

+45mm offset is fine as is. If you add 15mm spacer in the front you will need to add longer bolts or go look at the link I gave earlier about various spacers. +30 offset as a result of a 15mm spacer is quite aggressive, your rim will be slightly wider out than the outermost edge of the wheel arch plastic. If you choose a wide tire your tire will be out even further.

Why do you think you need a big brake kit? For looks or are you going on the track. Most times you can pick a brake kit that doesn't require any spacers but sometimes they are needed for clearance. Each rim and each brake kit will vary. A good source for brake kits would be-
http://www.tceperformanceproducts.co...s.pl?record=13
He has good brake kits for even 15" wheels so something will easily fit the Team Dynamics 17" rim, just email Todd for the details.

If you don't add spacers you can use OEM wheel bolts. If you add 5mm spacers you can use the stock bolt. If you go any wider on the spacers you'll need longer bolts.

If you are still confused talk to Alex@tirerack.com about wheels.

 

Thanks for all the help, I finally understand it! As for the brakes, right now it'll be for looks, eventually she'll only be meant for the track. Every year on her B-Day she needs some kind of gift!