I tried searching but I was getting conflicting results. Some say they rubbed and some say they didn't... And most of the threads I read were very old.

So just wanted to get some fresh answers... Anybody who owns a Gen1 R50/52/53 Mini with stock 17" wheels run 225/45/17 tires? I know these are a lot bigger than the stock 205/45/17. But my stock tires are 195/55/16. 205/45/17 is smaller than my stock 16" tires. I'd actually prefer 215/45/17 over the 205/45/17. I've read that both 205/45/17 and 215/45/17 won't have any rubbing issues. But my friend has some 225s laying around and I want to use it if I can. And I don't mind the extra grip the wider tires provide.

I'm going to be putting these on R98 wheels. So it's a 17x7 +48.

Thank you!

 

All R50/52/53 have minimal clearance for 225/45-17 tires although there is enough clearance with R56 using OEM suspension. When we say will not fit we mean when being driven on roads with full load in the MINI, not sitting empty on your driveway. There is movement of the shocks and springs especially over drips or under load.

Here is an R53 with 225/45-17 tires, you'd have to ask the owner about any rubbing-
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ment-noob.html

Using wider tire sizes on OEM rims will not give you much more grip or traction because the wheel width limits the tire and pinches it inward. The net benefit is minimal. Bigger difference comes with using the best grippy tire in the correct size for a given wheel.

215/45-17 works with OEM wheels and OEM suspension. With any lowered suspension you get less clearance so 205/45-17 is better for fitment although if you use aggressive alignment with more front and rear negative camber you can get a little more clearance. Any wider than OEM wheels will give you less clearance.

 

I'm Running 225s (Pirelli Pzero) Stock rims, new Bilstein B4s, IE fixed camber plates. Car had just under 80k on it when I bought it six months ago. Struts/ shocks were shot, and I put new control arm bushings on as well. No rubbing or fitment issues, either before or after suspension component replacement.

As to claims that the contact patch is diminished due to pinching of the wheel with a wider tire, I don't see it. My sidewalls are very square/perpendicular to tread/ground.

Truthfully, I was surprised to read that 225s weren't the stock size-seems to be the perfect fit to me.

 

Thank you so much for letting us know your first hand experience. I’m going to purchase my tires next week and will go with 225/45/17 based on your recommendation. Tires will be continental DWS. Will keep everyone posted.

 

Happy to help. FWIW, I would recommend checking actual dimensions for the tires you are considering, compared to the dims of mine. It's been a few years since I shopped for tires, but as I remember, there was a difference, sometimes significant, in actual dimensions between different brands for the same nominal size.

 

Where can I find the tire’s actual dimensions? Tire rack?

 

I think that's where I found them, but it might have been on the manufacturers website.

 

I’m currently running Michellin 225/45zr17s on stock 17 inch rims with jcw suspension (slightly lowered) on my 05 r53 with no rubbing at all not sure the offset of my rims but you could probably find out easily online. I’ll post a pic

 

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and picture @jeromenclature !!!

Looks like you have the R85 S-lite wheels. Specs are 17x7 +48 which is the same as my R98. Your post gives me hope!

 

Awesome! Glad it helps. Good luck!