215/40/17 Tires - Do They Fit?

[Britax Cooper]

My MCS arrives next month and I'm upgrading to 17" OZ Superleggera wheels (15.4 lbs!) and Yoko Parada Spec 2 tires. The question I'm chewing on is whether to go with the stock size-205/45/17 or to jump up to 215/40/17. I know the offset of the wheel will have an effect on tire clearance at the strut (can't find the offset on the OZ yet). I'd like to get feedback from anyone who's mounted 215/40/17 tires....Do they fit? Please let me know what wheels you're running and the wheel offset, if you know it.
Thanks!

[Garfield]

Do a search on that size, someone here is running it. But I can tell you that the 215/40R16 and 215/45R16's fit great. My offset is 45mm and they're damn close to the shock. In my estimation, the wheel should be between 42 and 45mm offset.

[MINIAC]

Quote:

Originally posted by Britax Cooper
My MCS arrives next month and I'm upgrading to 17" OZ Superleggera wheels (15.4 lbs!) and Yoko Parada Spec 2 tires. The question I'm chewing on is whether to go with the stock size-205/45/17 or to jump up to 215/40/17. I know the offset of the wheel will have an effect on tire clearance at the strut (can't find the offset on the OZ yet).

The FAQ on aftermarket wheels has links to OZ wheel fitment guides which contain offset information.

[Britax Cooper]

Thanks for the info guys.
I found the offset info on the OZ site. The Superleggera 17" wheel has a 37mm offset. In the FAQ section it states that stock wheels have an offset between 35-50 mm depending on the size and style of wheel. According to TireRack "The offset of a wheel is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel". With a 37mm offset on the OZ wheel, this would place the centerline of the wheel (and the tire) more towards the outside of the vehicle(away from the strut)when compared to a wheel with a 50mm offset. Unless my logic is flawed, this would increase the liklihood that a 215 would clear the strut. Does this sound right?
Thanks.

[Garfield]

Well, yes, you would certainly clear the strut. But with a 37mm offset, you will be more worried about staying in the fender well. I'm running a 215 with a 45mm offset and I was still worried about getting in the fender well. Afterwards, I realized I have some room, so you're just going to have to try it. But please let me know how you make out.
It's not a big deal, get Tire Rack to tell you it fits, order them, and if they don't, they've got to eat the shipping both ways and take the wheels back. They did that to me before after I verified with them several times that they'd fit.

[gmehall]

Just slapped on 205/40/17's and have had no clearence problems to speak of. I have been driving it pretty hard and have had no ill effects. The wheels have a 38mm offset.

[Britax Cooper]

Garfield....I thought about that, but was more concerned with it clearing the strut. Assuming you have 7" wheels, can you tell me roughly how much of a gap you have between the outer edge of the tire and the outer edge of the fender (plastic flare)? Thanks.

George....Do you have 205/40/17s or did you mean to say 215/40/17?

[Garfield]

I have 6.5" wheels. There's a pic I've now deleted from my computer that shows the clearance. Do a search on 215's and find my first post (I'm leaving for work right now). You can barely get a piece of paper between the tire and strut with the 45mm.

[chris@helix]

We have the 17 OZ's with 214/40/17's on our Cooper and there is no problem with clearance on the front and rear of the rim. Our car has also been lowered with H&R springs. I can send you pictures if you would like.


All the best

Chris
helix13.com

[Britax Cooper]

Chris,
Thanks for the offer to send a pic or two of the OZs on your Cooper....I'd love to see them!
Scott

[gmehall]

Here's a photo of our wheels. They are Stilauto SR500's 17X7 with a 38mm offset. Tires are Dunlop FM 901's in a 215/40/17 size. No rub or clearence problems.

[P1PYC]

I have carvogue 225/35 18" with Yohama tyres. I saw the car they had before buying, that was lowered as well!!!!

http://www.carvogue.co.uk/wheel_photocar_spirit1.jpg

[Laxsion]

Can you let us know about your AP(guess) brake kits details
and comments pls.

Quote:

Originally posted by gmehall
Here's a photo of our wheels. They are Stilauto SR500's 17X7 with a 38mm offset. Tires are Dunlop FM 901's in a 215/40/17 size. No rub or clearence problems.

Laxsion