I have a set of 215/35/18's ordered with a new set of wheels ordered as well. Wheel has a 45 offset and the wheel dealer is telling me I need 10mm spacers and new lug nuts. No real surprise from what I've read here and also I want to get the new wheels flush with the fender.

In making arrangements with local tire shop the GM of the shop is telling me every time he does a spacer addition the customer more often than not comes back complaining of vibration. This is in general not just Mini's

Anybody else run up against this?

Thanks!

 

10mm spacers don't work on a R53, maybe on a 56 but I don't think so either. Leaves no flange left for the wheel and it's not enough over to get a spacer with a flange...

 

It's a R56. Whether they fit or not is not the question (at least I hope it's not a issue!) According to wheel dealer it should

What I'm asking for is feedback on if spacers on Mini's cause allot of vibrations. Have not read it here and hearing from tire installer today was the first. As I said his experience was in general, not Mini's in particular

 

I've been running 5mm spacers with 225/40/18 for some time now and haven't noticed any vibrations.For 10mm spacers longer lugs are a definitely needed.

 

If you get quality hubcentric spacers such as H&R you will not have a problem, cheap ones like at Autozone, yep you will have vibration. Have a set residing in the bottom of my tool box for that very reason. Do a search on 10 mm spacers for a Mini...

 

I have longer lugs coming with the spacers

Thanks for the feedback

Any other experiences are certainly welcome

 

minimarks,

Looks like we hit "send" at the same time.

I'm getting the "system 4" spacers
http://www.tunershop.com/Wheel_Space...48&modell=3207

with set of appropriate lugs

 

why are you getting longer lugs?
the system 4 is a wheel spacer that uses your old lug positions to hold the spacer in and provides you with new lug positions for the wheel to bolt up to. so you wouldnt need longer lugs unless they recommended you get longer ones?

if you got the system 2 or system 5 i could see the need for longer lug bolts

 

Thanks GLNR13, I'll get that cleared up

 

I'm not so sure that your wheel dealer didn't BS you into buying something you didn't need.

I see your MINI is an R56. Mine is an R53, but I've been running 215/40/18 tires with 18 x 7.5 wheels, a 45mm offset for over a year. No rubbing, NO SPACERS.

Maybe the 56 is different, but I'm not so sure about that.

 

My thoughts exactly... There are PLENTY of wheel choices that you don't need that type of spacer conglomeration with....

 

I am surprised they suggested spacers as well. BUT they will make the car look much better and the fenders will have a more "filled" look.

We carry the H&R and I would recommend them if you want a quality hubcentric spacer. Bolts are available as well.

Most importantly though, post up some pics once you have the wheels on the car!

Good luck!

 

thanks. I think the piece I didn't share was the wheels are 18 X 8.5

Figure take the suggestion and if they are not needed return em'

And oh yeah i'll post pic's!

Thanks again for all the help guys

 

Wait 8.5" wide!? I don't think that is going to work regardless of offset. But don't hold me to that.

can anyone else confirm an 8.5 45ET will work on the R56?

 

no way!

 

8.5 aint gonna work. I'm pushing it with 7.5" rim with 225/35/18 and 5mm spacers. For custom spacers go to www.wheeladapter.com and for studs go to Texas Speedwerks

 

^^^^ I am glad you guys officially burst the bubble ^^^^^ I didn't have the heart to do it!

tgs91: If any of us can help with finding a suitable wheel, just let us know!

 

Sometimes ya just gotta find out for yourself..... Good luck..

 

Actually this combo may work. I'm running a 17x8" ET45, 235/40-17, and the wheel bolts right on. Given there will be about 6mm less inner clearance, you may be able to get a 8mm spacer to work. What allows my fitment to bolt on is the factory "clearance dent" in the front struts. I'm not sure if the 18" wheels will push the wheel and tire out of this dent. If there are aftermarket struts, they maybe larger in diameter or have a spring perch in the way.

If anyone wants to play around with wheel sizes, try this:
http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

Or Tire Sizes:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Rob

 

thanks for all the feedback guys.

All my research and question asking comes down to that this *should* work

I got turned onto these wheels seeing them on a Mini here on the forums. Also on the Schmidt Wheels site they have several pic's with Mini's with these wheels installed.

On the site that I found the wheels for sale in the US they offer a tire/wheel combo with these wheels using 215/35/18 tires. I read somewhere that 215/35/18 tires will support a 8.5 width wheel

Think minimark hit it on the head that I gotta give it a shot

 

Well good luck and let us know the outcome! I'm always up for running a wider wheel.

 

heres the pics from Schmidt Wheels' site

 

The website link for the "System 4" shows the smallest spacer at 20mm. That will not work. You said you were getting 10mm, are you getting one of the other systems?

 

yes, I clarified with dealer, it is the System 2

 

So many of you are quick to say "it won't work" yet have any of you tried fitting wide wheels or searched around?

18x8.5 ET35 will work from a clearance standpoint, you may rub like hell though (depending on how slammed you are) without some nice camber. Gonna look sweet.

Check out m|u for the wide/low stance MINIs.