Curious if a 17x7, et 37 will work on an '05 MCS with 215/45/17s without doing any modifications. Anyone???

 

First, do you mean et 35 or et 37mm?

It will work and not rub but only if you have stock suspension and et 37mm.
That is the limit on wheel offset and tire size.

If you lower your MINI you are very likely to get rubbing with et 35mm.
(edited due to old age Brain fart)

 

Sorry to get a little off topic but this may be Loki's next question. What is the biggest 17" wheel that will fit on a Cooper that is lowered?

 

You can ask Alex@tirerack.com
The 215/45-17 is at the limit.
225/45-17 will fit sometimes, but you risk rubbing on the wheel wells and it depends on how much your wheel offset is. +37mm is at one extreme. Another factor is the width of the rim. 17x7 isn't too wide but 7.5" or 8" would increase tire tread width and reduce some clearance with a given 215 or 225mm tire.

Generally 215mm wide tires fit and 225mm wide tires are pushing the limit and sometimes don't fit especially in the 17" wheels and larger. And there are other factors that come into play.

 

Actually it wasn't but I don't mind the piggyback question. :D

So, I'm assuming by your mention of spacers minihune , that the lower et pulls the face of the wheel into the well more?

 

This is VERY WRONG!

[on the MINI..]Rubbing is NOT a function of ride height, but wheel offset, tire size/shape, and camber!!

With a 7" wide et35mm wheel and 215/45-17, you will most likely rub your plastic wheelwell everytime you hit a bump or have extra load in the car.

Wheel spacers will INCREASE rubbing the plastic fender liner. Damnit I hate when bad information gets spread around, minihune you KNOW better!

 

Nope, my error (caught by Ryan- thanks for the reality check).
Just the opposite.
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/wheels/tech/offset.jsp
pushing the wheels out (towards the street)=smaller offset

 

Ah, thanks... I was told before that it was the opposite so your answer before confused me when it contradicted it!