I have looked EVERYWHERE on NAM and have not found a direct answer to this question, We are getting H-Sport springs, and have an Alta 22mm rear sway bar. My question is, will this size wheel/tire fit without rubbing? What offset would I have to get? If they will rub, how much modification will I have to do?

 

Contact Alex at Tirerack. I have M7 springs with 215/35/18's, and my wheels are 42 offset, and I wouldn't be brave enough to go any larger. In fact, I just ordered some Avons from Alex in 215/35 size.

There are some NAMers that will have experience with modding the wheelwells for larger tires, so I'm sure they will chime in soon.

 

what offset are the wheels? I had 215/35/18s on OZ Superturismo WRCs with H-sports, and occasionally they rubbed all for corners when canyon carving, deep dips. Normal driving was fine. 225/35/18s a little adventure to me

 

Best bet is to call Alex@tirerack for some buying advice on the rim and tire combo.

Best choice for a tire is 215/35-18 so start from there. Rims can vary a little in offset range for 18" but some depends on your rim width, tire selected (some are more square shouldered) and suspension height. Since you are going to use H-sport springs the drop is about 1" front and rear so you have less clearance than stock- mostly it is an issue with the rears and if it rubs it will be a little on the plastic wheel well- this can be trimmed with a dremmel tool easily- on NAM there is a how to do to follow.

Most times if you use a 18x7" rim then offset about +42 to +45mm will work ok. Your rear sway bar doesn't make any difference. If you can do some alignment adjustment in the rear (2005 model and later) that can also help with clearance. If your MINI rides roughly after the H-sport springs are installed then do an alignment.

 

Thanks all. I emailed Alex and all he said was that it is wide and tall and it would likely rub without modification. I haven't picked a tire/wheel combo yet. I believe it would be 18X7.5 and that should be the smallest for a 225. It is an '04, so no adjustment. Minor rubbing doesn't bother me, I just don't want to have to bow the fenders out for clearence and for full turn. What about 225 on rear and 215 on front? Could that be an option?

 

A lot of your answers depend on what you plan on doing with the car. Normal street driving without anyone on the back and you might be able to get away with 225's . With the car being lowered my guess is that you can forget aggressive canyon or track events with that wide of a tire. Additionally if you do try to go with larger rear tires than front you will really have issues with makeing it handle properly.

Randy
M7 tuning

 

Ok, the car will be for street, spirited driving, and Dragon once a year. It will never be in AutoX. We no longer have a back seat and don't plan on putting anything heavy in the rear.

 

I was just at the Dragon , 215 front and rear would be my choice. Other's opinions may vary

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Ok, thanks everyone. I think I am going to stick to 215/35/18. It seem to much trouble to get 225's on. Plus I would have to deal with a wider wheel and that is another problem. Now I just need to pick wheel/tires. Tire Rack, hear I come.

 

Good choice ! Now be ready to lose your mind trying to pick the best wheels for you

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

no they definitely rub ..I have the same issue right now w/ an '06 JCW ...Piaa 7.5 18's and PS2's-225/35/18....not enough wheel for the tire.....tire has too much flex and makes turn-in a bit mushy......grip is amazing..increased wheel and tire mass have slowed the car off the line....and make hard 2nd gear corners a real handful...the wheel wants to rip out of your hand when you get on it...the LSD is adding to this effect....have trimmed away a lot of the liner still rubs under compression...and if you lower it as result of stiffer coil-overs....you are losing some of the travel...but you are still in the rubbing zone a bit...and if you change camber a bit as some suggest to give more clearance.....you will eat the inside tread.....not a good trade-off....you will have to do actual body and paint work do make them fit....spoke to someone who went this route

 

I am currently running 245/35/18 with my pss9. Everything are tugged very nicely I am in the process of searching for a new set of custom 18x8 or 18x9 Kodiak racing wheels call me crazy if you may! but I like to be different from everyone else. It' rewarding when you can pull it off, so I look at it like a challenge

 

I had 225/35-18 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 on my MINI when I had my wheels. I was lowered on H&R springs, and I have NO rubbing at all. I also did no wheel well or fender modifications.

Check it out here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=65900

 

2perCooper, you state that you "had" , did you sell it Did you ever measure that offset

 

The wheels were sold with the car...I had the wheels on the car all but 2 weeks so I had no time to measure. Also, Jline doesn't disclose their offset information to the public.

 

whatt?!! you sold your cooper?!

do you have any small cosmetic bits left you can sell me?