Hi, I have read a lot of good post about wheels and tires here. I want to put 18x8 wheels and tires on my R56.
Is there anyone one running 18"x8" wheels with 215-40-18 tires? What type off offset would I use? What about rubbing if any? Any input would be appreciated.

 

Do a search for 18" wheels and 215/40-18 or 215/35-18 tires.
There are many threads and discussion in the past.

18x8 rims is OK about +42 to +45mm offset is fine.
With stock suspension you can use 215/40-18 and there is good tire selection in that size. Tire diameter is slightly taller than stock at 24.8" or about 0.5" taller.

If you lower your suspension then 18x7 or 18x7.5 rims with +45 offset is a bit better for clearance and 215/35-18 tires are slightly smaller than stock tire diameter at 24" and that works.

Go to tirerack.com and enter you MINI model and year and you will see a selection of 18" wheels to choose from with offsets that should fit a stock suspension. 215/35-18 is likely the recommended size tire for best clearance.

Note that 18" wheels are heavy and lower profile sidewalls are stiff and more prone to damage if you hit any potholes. You can damage the tire, the rim, and your suspension.

Edgeracing.com also has a selection of 18" wheels and tires.

 

Thanks minihune, Thats great info! I'll post pictures when I get them on the car.

 

Some tires.

In Max Performance Summer tires-

215/40-18
Pirelli PZero Nero $167 each 220 treadwear
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=43

Same size in UHP summer tires-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true

And in 215/40-18 more UHP tires to choose from-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true
Including
General Exclaim UHP $85 each, 18 lbs 380 treadwear a good value and comfortable for street use but does give up some handling.

In UHP All Season tires (longer lasting, works with colder weather and some snow, lasts longer)

In 215/35-18
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true
BF Goodrich g-Force SuperSport A/S $139 each 400 treadwear
Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season $134 each 420 treadwear, handles well, a little stiffer sidewall, a little less comfort for street use.

In 215/40-18
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $153 each 400 treadwear
Yokohama Avid W4S $123 each 400 treadwear

 

After reading this post (among many from minihune and others), I think I've got this; but I want to be SURE!

Motegi SP10s (18X8, et40), with 215/40X18 tires under stock
suspension. It sits just outside minihune's suggestion above. Any
clearance problem anyone's experienced, or can imagine, with these
parameters?

Thanks for your input!

 

Should be fine for stock suspension (that's key).
215/40-18 is taller than stock by about 1/2".
Speedo-
When speedometer reads 60mph (96.6km/h) actual speed will be 61.3mph (98.7km/h): 2.2% faster.

Which tire are you going to use.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! There's obviously an enormous number of variations to this same question; and I think it must get tiresome addressing so many of them ------ so, I appreciate it.
As to tires: like many owners I'm going to have a set of stock 16" rims, which I plan to mount with winter tires and wait for the onslaught(Chicago style)! In the meantime I haven't quite made up my mind whether to run all-season or summer tires. If the former, I'm thinking of Yoko. Avid W4s or, possibly, Toyo Proxes 4. If the latter, Sumitomo HTR Z III or Yoko. S.drive look like reasonable, balanced choices.
That's my story, and unless somebody feels really strongly about another idea, I'm stickin' to it!

 

If you are pretty good about switching over to winter tires at a certain time of year or don't mind not driving your MINI with a surprise snow storm (you have a spare car with 4x4 traction) then you could go either way.

Summer tires will handle much better all year long- then switch out with first snow or if temperature drops to under 40 degrees.

All Season tires give you more leeway to switch out tires during colder season and allow for some use in light snow- so more flexible and doesn't require a back up vehicle in case you get caught with a snow storm very early or very late.

Some All Season tires are quite good on traction and do wear longer than summer tires but prices can be fairly high to get all that in one tire.