Greetings.

I have done the "search thing" and have read through a lot of posts here on NAM in relation to this subject. I am hoping someone on here has specific advice or information for me.

I want to increase the footprint/widen the track of my MINI. I have not yet decided if I will use spacers (and stud/lug conversion) or new rims (which is my current preference) with an reduced offset. I know I want to stay with 16' wheels if I change the rims.

I want to put my wheels out flush as far as possible with the fender edge. I do not want to see any tread when looking down from above. I do not want it to look like a "HotWheels" toy with the tires sticking out of the fenders (thank you very much).

I have a 2011 "Straight Cooper" (term credit: Albiecrazy), I am on 205/50(s), OEM 16 rims/factory +48 mm offset. Once the wheels are out, the fender clearance height is not important, I can adjust my coil-overs if needed.

From measuring on my car, it appears 1/2" (13mm) is a good average front/back goal, but honestly it is hard to get it exact, despite using various methods.

So, has anybody pushed out your wheels flush and are happy (or unhappy) with the look, set-up? 10mm spacer or a +38 rim? 15mm spacer? +38, +35,+30 offset rim? A picture would be great also if able.

Thanks very much y'all.

Pete

 

8" et30/35 is about a flush as it gets.

17x8 et30

 

Creve:
Thanks for the info and pic. Nice car. That's what I'm looking for, f-l-u-s-h.
I wonder how the 8' rim (vs. my 7") and what, 225/45 series? (vs. my 205/50 series) affect the overall width in addition to the offset...
And... Is my imagination or are you "tucked" bit?

 

There is a member with a new 2012 JCW modified hatch on this forum using spacers that looks quite good.

 

And this member with the new 2012 JCW modified hatch on this forum using spacers that look quite good, might you know what the spacer width and the offset of their rims could possibly be, perchance? Hmmmmm?

 

Molly is on 16x8 Enkei T-Fork +38 Offset...I love the look!! I've been told that it looks like she's got 17" Wheels??!!



This is an Old Pic., she's now got Chrome Mirror Caps and just last Monday I had an OEM Roof Rack installed, hadn't had good enough weather to give her a bath and take her pic. I took this one when I picked her up from MINI of Portland...

 

I've got 12mm spacers on stock 17 S-Lites on my R53, with 205/45R17 Hankook Ventus V12 - pretty much flush.

 

Thanks for the information RJKimbell and Noonzio,
I appreciate your input.
Take care.

 

I think NAM users "Bigprfed22" and "Phx JCW" are using spacers.

 

Thanks walk0080...
I'll check it out...
Take care.
Pete

 

I'm on the factory R98's. I would like my wheels as flush as the pic Creeve posted. Anyone know the size i would need to run?

 

laforze:

It appears from my research here on NAM, including what is in this thread, is that the best option for getting that "flush" fender look is to achieve an offset of 30mm rear and 35mm front. (As suggested also by Creeve.) This can be done by changing your wheels to those with this offset or a combo of wheels and spacers. (This is what I am doing next week, changing to 35mm offset rims, and most probably adding a 5mm spacer in the rear.) Or you can use just spacers alone and any wheels. You need to know the offset of those wheels though.

If you are talking about utilizing stock wheels like mine (R119), and I would guess the R98 are the same, the factory offset is 48mm. You must use 13mm spacers (48-13=35) front, and 18mm spacers rear (48-18=30) rear to achieve optimal "flush". Odd sized spacers are hard to find. You can get close with 10, 12, 15mm, etc. Visually it will still look good, but it is not optimum. Keep in mind if you use large spacers (>5mm), you get involved with longer lug bolts (and difficulty finding lock bolts) or stud conversions, etc,. which will be another whole issue of choice and additional expense. (For me this was another journey through information and a decision in and of itself...)

Just remember as the offset decreases, the width increases, the wheel is pushed out further toward the fender. (Google "wheel offset", I read a couple of good references there that explain this well...)

If you need more or more specific information, you are welcome to PM me and I will share what I have learned with you.

Take care and good luck. And enjoy your car, that's what they are for...

Pete

 

Also keep in mind that factory wheels are narrower.

A 7" wheel would need an offset 12mm lower then an 8" wheel in order to have the same relationship to the fender.

Great tool: http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

 

Great feedback! Thank you both S&CL and Creeve.

 

So which is represented in this pic?

 

Disregard. I re-read your post and realized you specify as et30

 

So would i have issues with this setup?
17 x 7.5 +4

 

+4? Is that a typo? Use the link I posted it makes it pretty easy to figure this out.

A 7.5" wheel with an offset of 4 would have the outer edge of the wheel sitting 20mm farther out then my setup.

An offset of 40, which is maybe what you meant, on the other hand would sit 16mm farther in then mine.

 

This is off of the Rota website
17 x 7.5 4 x 100 +4
17 x 7.5 4 x 100 +45

I don't think it's a typo because they have multiple sizes with the +4 offset.

 

Ok, well thats a pretty low offset.
Personally I don't think +4 would look good, but in the end its up to you.

 

After hours of exhaustive research on TireRack, I just this evening bolted on a new set of wheels/tires.
17x7 MOTEGI RACING SP10 , 205/45ZR -17 General G-MAX AS-03 XL
these wheels have a stated offset of 40mm, and the stock 16 rims I had 48mm, so with the increase from 195 to 205, the net result will be 13 mm, just over 1/2".
As soon as I get a chance I will take some pix in the daylight and post. If you want, PM me w/ your email and I can send them direct.
good luck.

 

I wonder what the off-set is for the stock MINI Challenge 17" wheels? Are they also 48mm?

Because I had a look, and my Enkei Imola 17" winter wheels are 40mm offset... Now that I have my MINI Challenge wheels back on they just don't look right - not wide enough in the wheel wells. The Imola's have spokes that stick out so I thought maybe that is it... but wondering if I need 10mm spacers to clean up the look?

Will do some searching and try out that Tire Rack calculator.


EDIT:
R112 Challenge-spoke ET48 23.1lb (10.5kg) ... i.e. off-set of 48mm. hmmmm

So the Tire Rack Wheel Offset Calculator indicates that my winter wheel setup will be 14mm wider:
R112 wheels are 7" wide with offset 48mm
Enkei Imola wheels are 7.5" wide with offset 40mm

 

Lots of pics of sp10s on both r56 and r53s out on the net.

 

As far as obtaining research information on achieving the best stance "look", I also PM'd a half dozen or so members here on NAM after admiring the pictures of their MINIs with "that desirable stance" to find out what their set-up was... (And I must say what a great group of people responded forthcoming with good information. Thank you to all.)

And, all-in-all it appears that the 35F/30R offset is the best in general, and of course that varies a bit with rim width (as mentioned by Creeve).

But keep in mind that we are talking millimeters difference. I would imagine the human eye, from maybe 6 feet away, cannot preceive less than 5mm change.

Also, consider, a little over 6mm is only a quarter of an inch... (This big: holding my fingers just a little apart...)

I guess I'm going to find out next week when I put 35mm offset wheels on my MINI, and consider the addition of 5mm spacers in the back if it looks a little narrower in relationship to the fender edges in the rear.

Enjoy your cars people... That's what they are for.

Pete

 

Remember, in widening the stance you're also changing the steering geometry. Even with the subtle changes you're considering, you'll get slightly more "tramlining" and possible a "more twitchy" steering feel once stanced. You'll also want to be extremely careful to get the "toe" correct when you align the car - and you should, as many Minis come from the factory with the rears misaligned (you can adjust the top mounts of the rear trailing arm to adjust).

Most folks who stance the cars don't mind this, but some do, just be aware. You'll get increased lateral grip and a great "look", but there's a slight penalty in steering feel.

Note: Please do not take this as criticism, simply information. Many mods come with tradeoffs.

Creeve, that's a great shot, and a fine stance. Well done, sir.