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Total noob question. If you change wheel size then then you match it with a tire with either thicker or thinner sidewall. I thought this should keep the overall diameter the same. If it's the same overall diameter then how does it make the car ride higher or lower? What am I missing? Thanks
It would, absolutely. But my intention was to make the car lower, so I went with the smaller wheel and then matched it with a tire that kept the same aspect ratio as the 18's did (to help it look aesthetically right to my eyes) which let me then lower the car to get rid of the new excess wheel gap.
Original - 18x8 - 205/40/18
New - 17x8 - 205/40/17
I'm not sure exactly how much I was able to lower the car, I didn't measure. Low enough that I wouldn't want to go any lower. I can easily make it over speedbumps but have to watch out for debris in the road if it's taller than a couple of inches. I straddled a dead snapping turtle last week, my car smelled like a corpse for days :(.
Well, after much thought, discussion, number crunching (love spreadsheets) and soul searching, I've finally decided on a set of wheels and tires. Whew, didn't know it would be so difficult. They are Enkei RPF1 with Bridgestones RE-71R. I stayed with the 17" setup. Can't wait to get them mounted to the MINI.
Just live with it, it's such a minor difference. They're already naturally off by about 5 mph from the factory, so I just measure it with my GPS for a few days and then account for the difference on my own.
Just live with it, it's such a minor difference. They're already naturally off by about 5 mph from the factory, so I just measure it with my GPS for a few days and then account for the difference on my own.
I found with a 205/45-17 that the speedo is about 3% off at an indicated 74 MPH, and the OBDII output perfectly matches GPS [72 actual]. This is much more accurate than older gen MINIs and definitely more accurate than old school Bimmers.
Finally got the RPF1/RE-71s mounted. Here's a before and after shot. And for those interested I included a backside clearance shot to the front strut. Sorry about the after shot, it's sunny today.
Before - 205/45R17 500TW on factory wheels 17 X 7 et:54
After - 215/45R17 200TW on Enkei RPF1 17 X 7.5 et:48
Oh, and I'm coming clean. I did something I haven't done in 36 years, bought another tire brand other than Michelins.
Finally got the RPF1/RE-71s mounted. Here's a before and after shot. And for those interested I included a backside clearance shot to the front strut. Sorry about the after shot, it's sunny today.
Before - 205/45R17 500TW on factory wheels 17 X 7 et:54
After - 215/45R17 200TW on Enkei RPF1 17 X 7.5 et:48
Oh, and I'm coming clean. I did something I haven't done in 36 years, bought another tire brand other than Michelins.
I have a question about the TPMS. did you move the sensors from the old set? I want to buy a winter set with TPMS from Tirerack.com, there's a comment on there that they can be adapted to the car by following cars manual. I always though that only dealers can program/reset TPMs, or programming and resetting TPMS are different things? Thanks
I bought new TPMS sensors and had them delivered installed on the wheels with the tires. After mounting the new assemblies just go into the MINI connected system to vehicle info / vehicle status / reset (tire pressure system). While you drive the system will read the new sensors and reset the system. I started to do just that, take the existing sensors and move them to the new wheels but plan on exchanging them more than once a season.
I have a question about the TPMS. did you move the sensors from the old set? I want to buy a winter set with TPMS from Tirerack.com, there's a comment on there that they can be adapted to the car by following cars manual. I always though that only dealers can program/reset TPMs, or programming and resetting TPMS are different things? Thanks
As long as they are the correct sensor just go into the car menu in the stereo and reset them
As a wheel fitment noob, I have learned a lot from reading this thread on a regular basis. The only thing, is I may have not learned enough and I am not confident in my recent purchase. Some reassurance would be great! In hindsight, I probably should have verified my setup before actually buying it.
That should be just about perfect. You'll be cutting it close with your tire on the strut in the front depending on how low you go, but I don't think you could get a better sized wheel than that. I think the BC coils come with a small spacer (5mm maybe?) you can use in the front if it rubs.
Oh **** those wheels look awesome! I've never heard of that company before. The center bore on the wheels might be a slight issue, I can't remember what the F56 hub bore is.
