Anybody have any info or can possibly help me out?

I've purchased 15x7 Rota RB wheels with a 35mm offset that I thought would work on a standard non-modified Cooper. The rears fit fine, but the fronts hit the calipers. I've searched and searched and thought I had the solution in 5mm spacers. So, I ordered 5mm HR spacers. The wheels still lock onto the calipers!

I've already bought these wheels and purchased new tires for them as well.
Can these wheels fit or am I chasing an imposible solution? Will 8mm spacers clear the calipers?

Any and all help very much appreciated!

Thanks,
Wombat

 

What year is your car? Do you have stock brakes?

The 15" Rota RB's only need a 3mm spacer to clear the brakes. Your 5mm spacer should already cure the problem.

A friend of mine had the same problem. He went to install 15x7 et35 RB's on his 02 cooper and realized they hit the caliper. He got 3mm spacers and they cured the problem and he drove that way for quite a while. I'm not sure why 5mm spacers wouldn't help you.

 

That's what I thought too...

It's a 2002 Mini Cooper with stock brakes. I did just put on new pads and rotors. Could that make the caliper stick out that little extra causing me issues? The 5mm is just not enough unless I'm doing something wrong, but can't for the life of me figure it out. Tighten the lugs, and I have a nice stuck wheel on the caliper.

Thanks,
Wombat

 

I had the same wheel and the $8 quater inch (5mm) spacers from Pep Boys solved the problem. Mine was on an 06, but as far as I know they're the same as the 02.

 

Have you had new pads/rotors since adding the wheels and the spacer? I assume if you did they still fit fine. Hmm

 

Pads and rotors won't make a difference. I'm stumped.

It'd be hard to not put the spacer on properly since it just sits against the back of the wheel so that's probably not it.

Are you 100% sure you got the 35mm offset wheels? Sometimes you'll order that size and they will give you a different one. On the back of the wheel they should be stamped et35 somewhere (sometimes its on the front).

 

I'm stumped too... This shouldn't be this difficult. I'm 99% sure they were the right offset, but I will check them in the morning. I have to take them off anyway since it won't move right now with the wheels locked onto the calipers. It has been very frustrating as I thought I had researched every angle before heading down this path. The old wheels aren't looking that bad right now!

I will figure this out, the wheels look fantastic on the car, but it is a shame it isn't driveable. They are the Black RB's with polished lip. The Mini is Pepper White with Black roof and it just looks so right with these wheels.

Wombat

 

Thanks for all the help! I finally got the wheels fitted after several failed attempts. I hate to see a thread ended without resolution so I will post up what the final fix was.

The pep boy spacers would probably have done the trick, but none of the 3 local shops had them. What they carried is the 1/4 inch spacer (but were out of stock) which is just slightly thicker than the 5mm that I bought from H&R. The 5mm was just not enough to clear the calipers and would not work.

I ordered some 8mm universal spacers that fit, but leave very little hub to center the wheel on (with hub centering rings). There is just a slight bit of vibration in the steering wheel at low speeds, but it goes away above 45mph. If I can find the 1/4" spacers, I will likely switch so that more of the wheel will fit on the hub and hopefully the wheels will still clear the calipers.

Anyway, I'm happy. The wheels look great and I love my 02' Cooper even more!

Thanks,
Wombat

P.S. I just picked up a new 09' Cooper S (Lightning Blue / Black) so the old 02' wouldn't feel so lonely!!! I just couldn't give up the other one. Decided to keep it so the new S won't have to go out when the weather is nasty!

 

Make sure you get longer lug bolts or studs. With an 8MM spacer your stock lug bolts do not have many threads holding them on.

 

I´m just thinking to buy the same wheels, Rota RB 15x7 et35.
Someones knows if I´ll have problems with this size in my 05 Mini Cooper?
In Spain is not possible to use spacers...

 

Are the any other Rota Wheels that people have used besides the RB and Slip Stream? I am told that the Rota 15 inch wheels do not fit a 2008 base. The problem being the rear control arm. I have asked about using a lower offset say 40 mm or 38 mm (stock is 45mm), I have offered to use 195/60/15 tires to clear the inside fender. I like the circuit 8, circuit 10, scuderia, and torque amongst others but these are my favorites. Rota makes alot of offsets as they are listed on their website. With the lower offsets to move the wheels away from the control arms are spacers needed? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks to all.