Hi, I do find a lot of discussion around getting 18" wheels, but not able to tell if anyone is still using stock spring/suspension.

Therefore, can any one post picture of your MCS (or MC) with 18s and stock setup? If you have both stock and non-stock setup, that will be great too for comparison. I am looking at a set of 18x7.5 with 215/35/18 or 205/40/18 (if possible), and want to see whether the wheel gap is any bigger when compare to current regular 205/45/17.

Thx much.

 

I have recently put 18 x 7.5s with 215/35-17 Hankook K104s on a standard (at the moment) suspension set up.

Here's a pic

 

Just took off my X lites and went with 215/35/18. I think they are about 1/2 smaller diameter than my 195/55/16. But you can do the math. Check the photos I just loaded in my gallery

 

I have a set of Enkei RPM 2's with 215/35/18 Toyo Proxys. No rubbing. Pictures in my gallery.

 

Here is mine with the 17" Lites and stock springs/shocks:


Here it is with 18" 215/35/18 Motegi Touge rims, Eibach Pro-kit and Koni Sports:




I love it so far. I just had the work done last week.

 

Thanks guys for the pics, is that my eye or true that running 215/35/18 with stock setup, the wheel well gap looks bigger than with the regular 205/45/17, though by calculation, the 18" setup is only 10mm smaller in diameter.

 

After putting on my 18" wheels and before putting on the lowering springs it looked like my Mini belonged on the dunes! For whatever reason, the larger tires created a larger gap.

It was a strange sight. I thought I'd be able to just throw on the new tires and get the springs done at my convenience, but when I saw the larger gap, I had to get it done immediately.

 

That's why I would like to know if putting 215/40/18 will smaller the gap. By tire calculator, the radius are:

205/45/17 = 12.13in
215/35/18 = 11.96in
215/40/18 = 12.38in.

So, it is 0.25in bigger into the well, just don't know if it will rub with stock setup (w/ 18x7.5 ET45). Anyone has actual experience?

 

18's on stock springs/suspension.

 

Hi Wagnbat, are you using 215/35/18 also? No Rubbing? Thx.

 

But really only half that at the top, right?

 

Not really because that is the radius, not the diameter.

 

Ah, my bad.

 

225/40/18 No rubbing !!

 

With stock spring/susp? What is your offset and width? Thx.

 

18x7 +40
Enkei 3 piece wheels

Stock height, lightweight driver and family

 

Inquired the place that has the wheel I am interested about fitment of 18x7.5 ET45 with 215/40/18, and they say it will not fit my 05' MCS, it will rub. So, seems like that 0.25 inch bigger in the radius makes a big different, or do you think they are just try to cover their SSS to avoid selling something barely fit? Sounds like I am talking myself into getting one, no matter what.

 

I did the same thing, very few if any have 225/40/18 tires... I told myself the worst thing is a little cutting... so far I have had to do none !!

 

All major wheel manufacturers recommend a 215/35x18 for a 18x7.5 for the Mini

 

That's why we are all here to step beyond the normal "recommended" fitments !!

Also, why does tire rack recommend a 225-30-20..?? That is beyond the normal recommendations...

 

Here are the 18's on my old MC, I forget what size exactly but can check later if anyone wants to know.

 

This won't give pictures on a MINI, but go to this site: http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecal...?action=submit

Compare the different tire sizes, and choose the "side view" option under 'scaled tire images', and you'll get a lot of useful info.

 

I used that calculator for the calculation few responses I posted above. That's how I found only 0.25inch different in radius from the OEM 17" size, maybe the 7.5 width with 215/40/18 has a much higher chance getting rub instead of if you use 7" width. That's my guess that "bigger" size is not recommended.