Just wondering if the Toyo Proxes 4 215/45/17 will scrape on an H-sport lowered CVT Cooper?

 

I think you will be OK. For that size it is just with a heavy load (4 persons) there could be slight rubbing in the rear but with two people it is no problem.

You can contact edgeracing.com and ask them about the shoulders of the Proxes 4 vs the Yokohama ES100 and see if the ES100 has a wider shoulder or if they are about the same. Some tires have a more rounded shoulder.

 

Or am I better off with 215/40/17s?

 

If you use that size the problem is that they will be rated for a lower load than what a normal MCS should have but you have an MC which is lighter so you might be fine,

This means that for two people it is fine but when you go fully loaded it is not as good and in fact not recommended for the heavier MCS. You just have to be careful and aware.

Most people that do go with 215/40-17 do OK and use their MINIs for autocross and performance driving so one or two people most of the time.

The smaller sidewall is a little rougher riding but there is no chance for rubbing.

I have the 215/45-17 and do OK. I just don't load up the MINI too much. On race days I have myself, racing jack and helmet, drink/cooler, extra tools and gear, race harnesses, and four racing wheels loaded up and I do OK with no rubbing.

 

Yeah, I think I may just go with th 215/45s. I want avoid a rougher ride as it is. Also, it's just for day-to-day driving and no auto-xing.

 

I've been running Proxes 4's 215/40's since the middle of March. Maybe the ride is a little rough, but does not matter to me as I really like the handling that the smaller side wall gives. 90% of the time, I'm by myself, commuter car. I have not lowered my MINI so I cannot speak to that side of it. I don't see how a CVT transmission would make any difference.