So stock offset on mini wheels is 48. What's a safe range plus or minus that for shopping for new wheels? I wanna go aftermarket but 48 offset is rare. Just want to make sure I'm good with clearance all around. I'll be looking at 17's or maybe going up 1 to 18. Thanks

 

Or should I also look into doing spacers and getting longer lug studs if I can't find wheels with a big enough offset?

 

Should be ok with offsets between +40 and +50.
Under +40 there may be some rub against the outer wheel well, especially if lowered.
+35 to +40 may be ok of not lowered.


Spacers will reduce a positive offset. For example, a
5 mm spacer on a +48 mm offset will yield an offset of +43 mm.

 

Offset works in conjunction with wheel width. Are you staying with a 7" width? I agree with Cristo, that on a 7" wheel anything north of +40 should be safe. Tire width can affect the rubbing too.

 

Larger offset wheels can be centered back with spacers.
Lower offset wheels will stick out, rub on the outside of the wheel well.

The point when they start rubbing will depend on the target wheel and tire width, as well as how much you lower the suspension. It won't take much to start rubbing. Stick your fingers between the edge of the tire and the fender, and you will see how much extra room you have to play width. From memory, it's about an inch (~25mm).

More info on offsets here:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...jsp?techid=101

Before you start shopping for 18" or bigger wheels, investigate if there are any desirable tires available in that size for you to run.
Also note that the larger the wheel, the heavier it is, the more it degrades performance (but looks better to some).

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Just wanted to mention, i have +25 offset and it fits perfect, no rub, and i am lowered so there is no wheel gap, the wheels are 15x8

 

One other thing to consider.
If you're going to autocross in a stock class, the offset has to be within
1/4" (6.35mm) of the stock offset.

 

Wow thanks for all the replies. I'm looking at a few options. I'm going to slap some Falken azenis rt-615's on my stock wheels for auto-cross but I will be far from a stock class by the time race season starts. Also looking at 18" wheels. 7.5" wide with a 42mm offset. Going to put 215/40's on them (some crappy all seasons lol). Those will be for cruising around and show. Also to match the 18's I found 2 15" wheels of the same design I'm going to put mickey Thompson drag radials (205/50's) on for the drag strip. The 15's are a 40mm offset and are 7" wide. Sounds like a lot of extra spent but I wanna be able to do things properly when it comes to looks and race so I don't mind spending the extra bucks on different applications. I'm not much for street racing so I don't mind having crappy tires on the 18's since I'm not looking to hook up from a dig much if at all while driving with them on.

 

If you go too low and wide, you'll rub. The consensus seems to be anything from 40-50 on a 7" wide wheel you'll be golden (with sane camber settings). I'm running 16x7 with 38 and 205/50 tires.

And if you're looking at running 18" wheels, look for a more rough ride. Remember, less sidewall = more bumpy/hard/harsh ride. I recently switched from 17 to 16s and the ride improved greatly. You may not care too much, but just be aware.

Sheesh, I'm starting to sound old, LOL.

 

lol Dont worry, i know the "getting old" feeling lol. Im not worried about ride comfort anyway, because the suspension is getting a complete rebuild.
Megan coilovers with the adjustable damper. Eibach sway bars (19mm rear and 26mm front i believe), poly bushings and end links all around, front and rear upper strut bars, and Cabrio bars. Also Timkin wheels bearings and new halfshafts (just cuz I like new stuff on my 178K mile car lol)
With all that im expecting a very stiff ride regardless of wheels and tires. Like i said though. the 18's will just be for cruising, so based of the information Ive gotten from everyone i dont think fitment will be an issue for them. Ill have the sticky tires on my 17's for auto-X. and the spare set of 15" wheels with drag tires for the strip.

 

Sounds like a fun project and a VERY firm ride. My bones are getting too old for that kind of stuff. I am running ST coilovers and the ride is quite firm. I couldn't imagine using poly bushings.

 

I'd probably ignore the front sway bar if you plan on getting a 19mm rear bar. You'd just be cancelling out the sought after decrease in understeer that comes with a bigger rear sway bar. If you must get a front sway bar, I'd probably go with a 22mm solid or 25mm hollow rear sway bar. Both have a roughly similar rate, but the latter is lighter.

 

In my shopping around for suspension parts I found the eibach kit (front and rear with bushings) for a decent price, i also found an Alta 22mm adjustable rear that included poly bushings. Would you suggest just going with that and leaving the front stock? I ask because funny thing. The price for just the rear eibach bar is barely lower than the price for both. So i almost feel like i should spend the extra 20 bucks (literally i think thats all it is) for the full kit. but if it isnt going to be effective, or possibly take away from the handling then its not something i want lol

 

- Just go with a rear sway bar. If you go with a larger front bar than you need an even larger rear bar to make up for the front bar.
- I would stick with 17" wheels and not go up to 18" wheels. I had 17" on my 2003 R53 and have 18" on my 2006 R53. There are no advantages going to 18x7 and limited tire size options.
- As others have said, about 40mm offset with no rear rubbing but it depends on wheel/tire and amount of lowering. 17x7 wheel with 215/40 tire works with no rubbing even if lowered an inch.
- On 2003 R53 I had 17x7 with 38 offset wheels with 215/40-17 tires and lowered about an inch with H&R springs. If not lowered the 38 offset would have been fine.
- On 2006 R53 I have 18x7 with 52 offset wheels, 15mm Spaces (equivalent to 37 offset), 215/40-18 tires, and lowered about 5/8 inch with JCW springs. I had slight rubbing on the rear arch and wheel well that I had to clearance.

 

cool thanks for the info. the advantage to the 18's though is the look. Which is literally all Im going for when I put them on the car. I wont be hitting the corners with them. Ill leave the stock 17's for that. Thanks again everyone, been a tremendous help! and saved me 150 bucks on a sway bar as well!

 

That rule has been updated. It's just 7mm now.

Please don't buy Azenis. They were a great tires like 10 years ago. Now there are significantly faster/better options out there. Dunlop ZII SS, RS-3, Toyo R1R, BFG Rival, etc.

 

Lol well its been 5 years since I went tire shopping for autoX.

 

A lot has happened in 5 years.

Using OEM 17x7" wheels and a lowered suspension-

205/45-17 or 215/40-17 are likely tire sizes for Street tires "Extreme Summer tires).

Extreme Summer tire
Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec 215/40-17 $153 each, 200 treadwear, newish
Bridgestone RE71R (new) 205/45-17 $171 each, avail est 3/1/15
Yokohama Advan Neova AD08R 215/40-17 $187 each, 180 treadwear

If you want R compound tires then even 205/40-17 will fit.

R compound tires
Hoosier A7 225/40-17 $278 each, more durable than A6
Toyo R888 205/40-17 $207 each, 100 treadwear, can be driven on street to event, be careful if wet. Not as grippy as Hoosiers but wear longer
Kumho V700 215/40-17 $163 each, on back order at terrace

 

What is the minimum offset for 17" rim with JCW 4pot brake kit? Thanks in advise.

 

Assuming that the spoke design offers enough clearance for the brake calipers but that may vary with which wheel you are considering, don't assume it will clear although it is likely.

minimum offset? You mean to set the wheel closer into the wheel well- if so then since OEM is et48 then from 45-50. If 17x7.5 then et42-44. If 17x8" then et36.

Or do you mean how far for it to stick/poke out to be flush with the wheel arch edge? For 17x7 then et about 35-36. If 17x7.5 then et about 42, and if 17x8 then et about 43-45.

For a 17" wheel they come in various widths like 7" to 8" and sometimes wider.

use this to determine what works for yourself-
http://www.willtheyfit.com

 

Thanks bro for the information.

 

Ok one last 2 parter question. I like the price tag on the cooper rs3 tires. Should I go rs3-a or rs3-s? And if I bought them for my 18's would 225/40 be too big on an 18x7.5 on the mini?

 

RS3A is for all season, longer treadwear, better wet handling, OK for cold weather or light snow. Comes in 205/45-17 or 215/45-17 sizes but none good for 18" wheels on the MINI.

RS3S is for summer tire, better dry handling and performance, faster treadwear, not for any cold weather, comes in 215/45-17 but no tire sizes for 18" wheels.

No, 225/40-18 is too tall and wide for the MINI, you'd risk rubbing in the back under load or over dips.

 

Ok cool thnx. Was asking because I was thinking about running them on my 18's. Sounds like I want rs3-s (for autoX)

 

Is the offset for an R50 also 48? These rims? Selling them as I went to 17s, the potential buyer is after the offset, and none of the wheel markings I can see follow the naming conventions I'm looking for.