FYI - The OEM setup for my 1995 BMW M3 comes with 235/40/17 mounted on 7.5" Motorsport Wheels.

 

With my experience with 235's, as long as you're not lowered more than .75" 235's should fit without rubbing. Of course this depends on your offset, but that's another story, isn't it.

 

"So what about the offset? What is the highest offset you can have on a 17x7.5" w/o rubbing with H-sports? If anyone knows?"

I HAVE THIS VERY SAME QUESTION!!

Can I run a 17x7.5 with 37 offset?? (on 215/40-17 rubber)

 

There is a range of offsets that would likely work.

Best is to be conservative and not at the limits. Wheel offset determines how far inward or outward the wheel rim sits in the wheel well on the hub and there are slight differences for front and rear wheels. If you know someone that has a wheel that fits that helps.

When you change and upgrade suspensions you can affect clearance especially if you lower your MINI. The lower you go the less the clearance.
Sometimes a rear swaybar if too square in design will hit, sometimes the lower rear trailing arm which is standard on all MINIs.

The tire width also is a factor when going wider than stock 205mm as is the tire height when going taller than stock 24.3". You get much less clearance.

For a stock MINI with stock suspension and stock sized tires using 17x7 or 17x7.5" rims you can use wheel offsets of about +37mm to +48mm. Safer would be +42 to +45mm.

When you lower your MINI you have a smaller range and +42mm to +45mm tends to be OK. As the width of the rim gets wider then the offset gets less and the wheel tends to stick out of the wheel wells more (fender doesn't cover the tire). 15x8" usually with +33 to +36mm offset for lowered MINI.

 

It seems 215/4517 tire cost less than 205/4517 tire. I am currently using toyo proxes4 205/4517. Dry handling is good but i notice hydroplanning on speed above 65 mph. Proxes4 also comes in 215 and its even cheaper. Do you think using 215 will help a bit on the hydroplanning?

 

In theory...no. Wider tire generally gives better contact patch thus grip on dry roads, but in rain a wider contact patch acts like a boat. But 205 to 215 I doubt anyone would notice the difference.

In 215/45-17 an excellent rain tire is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric probably the best rain tire and also very good in dry. And its like $492 after rebate at Tire Rack.

In 215/40-17 there is the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 that is also a excellent rain tire and very good in the dry for $446 after rebate at Tire Rack.

 

Thx for the input. I notice those two tires have treadwear of only 240 but i doubt they have excellent grip and really good track tires. However for daily use i dont think i will do much track time. i use my mini mostly for hwy commute so i will most likely pick tire that will last. The treadwear on my proxes4 is 300. I have used it at least 25000 miles and i think i still have abt 15000 miles to go. All in all, i think i ll just stick with 205 since tire will weigh less than 215 and having 215 wont help in wet condition either. I think i will just stick with proxes4 cause they look good and seems to last.

 

I never said they have excellent overall or dry grip, I said they have excellent superior and the best rain grip and ultimate hydroplane resistance of any tire and very good dry grip, which is what you were asking for in your original post. The two tires I mentioned are NOT by any means a track tire btw. Extreme Summer Tires treadwear run between 140-200 and track tires 30-100 treadwear.

 

Following the thread and thinking about the conversations with Dan at Fast Mini. He states without hestitation, 235/40 17 will fit on a a 7.5" wheel. I can find no one in the SF Bay area who will install them for me. Tire Rack was very discouraging. Sounds like a sweet look, but if I can't get them installed, then no dice. Right now I am with what appears to be the majority here, 215/45 17's on the 7.5" rims with45mm offset. Comments?

 

Most 235/40/17 mounting ranges are from 8"-9.5" . Many users will mount tires below mounting range, the only ramification is the tire's tendency to wander or follow pavement contours - tramlining.

I can mount and ship you a set if you need them, but there will be "condidions" on recourse on this type of user accepted fitment.

Let me know

 

Alex
Thank you. Unfortunately you guys don't have the wheels I want. I did an order today for the Rota RB's in gunmetal/polished from Fast Mini 17 x 7.5. The more I thought about it, I was concerned about tramling. Think I will go with the 215/45's. Will cruise your site to see what you have and maybe look at the Toyos's as well. Don't think I have seen them on your site.

 

Do you have a R53 or R56?
If you got a R56 Yes depending on offset.
On R53 No unless you're willing to dremmel and do some "flattening" of metal. See threads below.
If you are going that size I suppose it is for max grip, hope you take full advantage and get a sticky tires like: Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec, Nitto NT05, Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, Toyo Proxes R1R or Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08.
More info re: R53:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/tires-wheels-and-brakes/85646-project-235-40-17-a.html
AND
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/tires-wheels-and-brakes/80271-235-40-17-on-17x8-42-a.html

 

It is an R56 Clubman S. If it that much trouble to put the 235's on, I will definitely stick at 215

 

No trouble is with R53