MINI2

wils · Nov 3rd, 2005, 01:25 PM

hey ppl,
i've done a search and looked at the FAQs abt offset and so i know that wheels with offset between 38-52 will fit a MINI.
but what i couldn't find out was that if i had a choice between the same wheel but different offset which would i pick
ok so here's the deal, the wheel is a 17x7 and one has an offset of +42 and the other has offset of +47
so ok can someone who has more clue abt this than me explain to me what the difference is and which would fit better on my car?
so i'm pretty sure that both will fit but which is better?? and will this rub at all if my car has been lowered with eibachs? i've got a 2002 cooper btw

ooh and also another thing, if i had a choice of a 17x8 with an +47 offset would these rub? teehee

thanks so much....just want to get the one that will go better that's all thanks thanks!

actually, i'm still in the thinking stage...but i've pretty much decided

thanks again

wils

SteveM3 · Nov 3rd, 2005, 08:53 PM

Best to stick as close to the OEM wheel offsets so 42mm is going to be favourite. You
are less likely to get problems with the tyre rubbing wheel arches or fouling suspension
pieces. You'll have a choice of 215/40 tyres, 99% certain to fit unless lowered or 215/45
tyres 90% certain to fit unless lowered. I've no experience of a lowered car.

wils · Nov 3rd, 2005, 09:42 PM

thanks steve

ok so u reckon stick as close to OEM as possible? then now i'm more confused coz all the 17" OEM wheels in the FAQ have offsets of around +48??

what's the difference between +42 and +47 offset in real life anyway? is it a big difference? and it seems ppl go for 215/40 or 215/45 but then the FAQ say 205/45? the 215 means more rubber isn't it? i think i'd prefer more rubber to make the ride better? am i on the right track?

thanks for the help anyway mate

much appreciated

wils

SteveM3 · Nov 4th, 2005, 05:31 PM

Ooops that's the problem with quick replies. I thought I remembered my S-spokes were
40mm offset and I replaced them with R90 replicas of 50mm offset. I was wrong, it was
the other way round. So stick to the 47mm offset. I am glad one of us checked the FAQ.
215/45 has the advantage of more rubber on the road but you won't be able to tell. More
importantly there are a lot more tyres in this size so your choice is bigger and because
this size is sold in larger quantities it can be cheaper to buy this size. I know for a fact
that 215/45 on 40mm offset doesn't go, you'll rub the outer arches. 215/40 has the
advantage over 215/45 of equally wide rubber but a shorter sidewall. The shorter sidewall
will help the handling and hurt the ride but I doubt you can tell. They look a bit meaner in
my opinion. They are also available in a bigger choice than the 205/45's. They are a better
choice if you intend lowering the car. The other big advantage to wider tyres is they give
alloys a bit more protection against kerbs, very useful when there are bad parkers like me
around

.

fpsprite · Nov 5th, 2005, 01:35 AM

I agree with SteveM3. The S-apoke 17x7 rim has a 50mm offset. To be "safe," when you lower your Mini, get an offset as closs to 50 mm as you can and it seems that a 7.5 " width rim is about as wide as you want to go. Folks in this forum have reported severe problems with 8" wide rims having offsets approaching 42mm.

With 17 x 7.5 inch wheels having a 42mm offset and the Mini lowered 30 mm, 215/45 tires rub on hard jounces while 205/40 tires have no problem with rubbing. You might get by with 215/40 tires on a 7.5 inch wide wheel having an offset that is closer to 50mm than it is to 42mm. I haven't tried to verify this, but a 7 x 7.5 wheel having a 50mm offset (if you can find one) might be ideal for 215/40 tires. Not sure about using them with 215/45 tires.

Good luck.

wils · Nov 5th, 2005, 02:47 AM

thanks alot for the help guys

u've been really helpful to someone with no clue like me

so just to recap

let's see if i get it right hehe

with 17x7 wheels with a 47 offset i should be able to fit 215/45 or 215/40. these are better than the prescribed 205-45 as they have more rubber on them and are more common so are easier to find and are probably cheaper

215/40 have a shorter sidewall so then handling is improved

but then ride is compromised

but oh well we all drive MINI's i'm sure we're used to the ride by now

well i think when the time comes i'll go with the 215/40's then thanks again guys

ur help is much appreciated

OZChris · Nov 5th, 2005, 02:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wsw

215/40 have a shorter sidewall so then handling is improved

but then ride is compromised

but oh well we all drive MINI's i'm sure we're used to the ride by now

Hey Wils

On my Cooper, I went from factory 15" wheels and tyres to factory 16" wheels and runflats, and finally to 17" wheels with 215/40 non-run flats. I can say that the ride and handling is very different. Couple with lowering, my Cooper feels like a different car. Enjoy.

Chris

wils · Nov 5th, 2005, 03:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by XMINIX

17" wheels with 215/40 non-run flats. I can say that the ride and handling is very different. Couple with lowering, my Cooper feels like a different car. Enjoy.

that's the plan chris haha thanks for the encouragement

now all i need to do are talk my wallet and my 'boss' into getting what i want and this summer will be FUN

ok well i just spoke to my mate who knows abt this stuff and he's been telling me abt different sized rubbers having different heights or something and this may affect the speedo?? would the 215-40's have any sort of effect there? sorry abt asking all these noob questions but i wanna get it right

cheers,
wils

OZChris · Nov 5th, 2005, 03:37 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wsw

ok well i just spoke to my mate who knows abt this stuff and he's been telling me abt different sized rubbers having different heights or something and this may affect the speedo?? would the 215-40's have any sort of effect there? sorry abt asking all these noob questions but i wanna get it right

cheers,
wils

215/40 does not affect the speedo too much. Last time I checked using a GPS I was almost dead on the indicated speed.

No such thing as a bad question - ask away. If you want to see my Cooper, do it before January as the S arrives. Now that's another story regarding wheels.

Have you decided on tyres?

Cheers

wils · Nov 5th, 2005, 03:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by XMINIX

215/40 does not affect the speedo too much. Last time I checked using a GPS I was almost dead on the indicated speed.

nice...exactly what i want to hear

Quote: Originally Posted by XMINIX

Have you decided on tyres?

wow ur good...u read my mind as to what my next question was gonna be

got any good suggestions? not too expensive or NOISY but with GRIP apart from that i'm pretty easy to please

haha not asking for much am i? haha

OZChris · Nov 5th, 2005, 03:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wsw

wow ur good...u read my mind as to what my next question was gonna be

got any good suggestions? not too expensive or NOISY but with GRIP apart from that i'm pretty easy to please

haha not asking for much am i? haha

Depends on your budget. For a budget tyre, I'd go Hankook K-104s. At the other end, I'd go Michelins Preceda.

Cheers
Chris

wils · Nov 5th, 2005, 04:08 AM

hankook huh? or the michelins...hmmm might have to do some surfing...what's the damage either way?
i remember reading something abt federals...i remember on some thread ^UB^ was talking abt federals being pretty good price-wise for grip but then they're noisy...heard some good stuff abt yokohama es100 or something as well...but again i dunno anything abt tires so i dunno

hmmm thanks for the info anyway gonna have a looky look now

PM_ · Nov 5th, 2005, 01:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by XMINIX

Hey Wils

On my Cooper, I went from factory 15" wheels and tyres to factory 16" wheels and runflats, and finally to 17" wheels with 215/40 non-run flats. I can say that the ride and handling is very different. Couple with lowering, my Cooper feels like a different car. Enjoy.

Chris

How different? Mind to elaborate a little bit more maybe?

Does the Cooper starts much slower with 17" & 215 tyres?

In terms of the best balance between handling/grip/performance, which size do u prefer after all experiencing all three?

I might try to get some 16" Enkeis (17" looks great tho) when I finish my 15" tyres

OZChris · Nov 6th, 2005, 07:42 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by PM_

How different? Mind to elaborate a little bit more maybe?

Does the Cooper starts much slower with 17" & 215 tyres?

In terms of the best balance between handling/grip/performance, which size do u prefer after all experiencing all three?

I might try to get some 16" Enkeis (17" looks great tho) when I finish my 15" tyres

It's a little difficult to describe and I guess it's very individual, but with the 215/40-17 I just feel better feedback about what the Cooper is doing. Also coupled with having it lowered, the Cooper corners much flatter.

I use a local large roundabout as a baseline. With the original 15's and tyres, I could only go 60km/h before squeeling (tyres were crap

). With the factory 16's and runflats, I managed 5 - 10 better

. New with 215/40-17s, I can manage another 5 - 10 above that

. It does help that the tyres have got better each time, and I have relatively light wheels.

Good luck
Chris

Nov 3rd, 2005, 01:25 PM	#1
wils formerly known as wsw Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 684 Offline	same wheel but choice of two offsets?? hey ppl, i've done a search and looked at the FAQs abt offset and so i know that wheels with offset between 38-52 will fit a MINI. but what i couldn't find out was that if i had a choice between the same wheel but different offset which would i pick ok so here's the deal, the wheel is a 17x7 and one has an offset of +42 and the other has offset of +47 so ok can someone who has more clue abt this than me explain to me what the difference is and which would fit better on my car? so i'm pretty sure that both will fit but which is better?? and will this rub at all if my car has been lowered with eibachs? i've got a 2002 cooper btw ooh and also another thing, if i had a choice of a 17x8 with an +47 offset would these rub? teehee thanks so much....just want to get the one that will go better that's all thanks thanks! actually, i'm still in the thinking stage...but i've pretty much decided thanks again wils i got an exhaust because i wanted to make my car sound fast, but its not fast at all, so therefore i am a ricer.... Last edited by wils : Nov 5th, 2005 at 02:43 AM.

Nov 3rd, 2005, 08:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
SteveM3 MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Malmesbury, Wilts Local Time: 07:27 AM Posts: 1,806 Offline	Best to stick as close to the OEM wheel offsets so 42mm is going to be favourite. You are less likely to get problems with the tyre rubbing wheel arches or fouling suspension pieces. You'll have a choice of 215/40 tyres, 99% certain to fit unless lowered or 215/45 tyres 90% certain to fit unless lowered. I've no experience of a lowered car. Some people are like a Slinky ........ not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs

Nov 3rd, 2005, 09:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
wils formerly known as wsw Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 684 Offline	thanks steve ok so u reckon stick as close to OEM as possible? then now i'm more confused coz all the 17" OEM wheels in the FAQ have offsets of around +48?? what's the difference between +42 and +47 offset in real life anyway? is it a big difference? and it seems ppl go for 215/40 or 215/45 but then the FAQ say 205/45? the 215 means more rubber isn't it? i think i'd prefer more rubber to make the ride better? am i on the right track? thanks for the help anyway mate much appreciated wils i got an exhaust because i wanted to make my car sound fast, but its not fast at all, so therefore i am a ricer....

Nov 4th, 2005, 05:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
SteveM3 MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Malmesbury, Wilts Local Time: 07:27 AM Posts: 1,806 Offline	Ooops that's the problem with quick replies. I thought I remembered my S-spokes were 40mm offset and I replaced them with R90 replicas of 50mm offset. I was wrong, it was the other way round. So stick to the 47mm offset. I am glad one of us checked the FAQ. 215/45 has the advantage of more rubber on the road but you won't be able to tell. More importantly there are a lot more tyres in this size so your choice is bigger and because this size is sold in larger quantities it can be cheaper to buy this size. I know for a fact that 215/45 on 40mm offset doesn't go, you'll rub the outer arches. 215/40 has the advantage over 215/45 of equally wide rubber but a shorter sidewall. The shorter sidewall will help the handling and hurt the ride but I doubt you can tell. They look a bit meaner in my opinion. They are also available in a bigger choice than the 205/45's. They are a better choice if you intend lowering the car. The other big advantage to wider tyres is they give alloys a bit more protection against kerbs, very useful when there are bad parkers like me around . Some people are like a Slinky ........ not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs

Nov 5th, 2005, 01:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
fpsprite MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Columbia, SC Local Time: 02:27 AM Posts: 52 Offline	I agree with SteveM3. The S-apoke 17x7 rim has a 50mm offset. To be "safe," when you lower your Mini, get an offset as closs to 50 mm as you can and it seems that a 7.5 " width rim is about as wide as you want to go. Folks in this forum have reported severe problems with 8" wide rims having offsets approaching 42mm. With 17 x 7.5 inch wheels having a 42mm offset and the Mini lowered 30 mm, 215/45 tires rub on hard jounces while 205/40 tires have no problem with rubbing. You might get by with 215/40 tires on a 7.5 inch wide wheel having an offset that is closer to 50mm than it is to 42mm. I haven't tried to verify this, but a 7 x 7.5 wheel having a 50mm offset (if you can find one) might be ideal for 215/40 tires. Not sure about using them with 215/45 tires. Good luck. JWK

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Nov 5th, 2005, 02:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
wils formerly known as wsw Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 684 Offline	thanks alot for the help guys u've been really helpful to someone with no clue like me so just to recap let's see if i get it right hehe with 17x7 wheels with a 47 offset i should be able to fit 215/45 or 215/40. these are better than the prescribed 205-45 as they have more rubber on them and are more common so are easier to find and are probably cheaper 215/40 have a shorter sidewall so then handling is improved but then ride is compromised but oh well we all drive MINI's i'm sure we're used to the ride by now well i think when the time comes i'll go with the 215/40's then thanks again guys ur help is much appreciated i got an exhaust because i wanted to make my car sound fast, but its not fast at all, so therefore i am a ricer....

Nov 5th, 2005, 02:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
OZChris MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 2,563 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by wsw 215/40 have a shorter sidewall so then handling is improved but then ride is compromised but oh well we all drive MINI's i'm sure we're used to the ride by now Hey Wils On my Cooper, I went from factory 15" wheels and tyres to factory 16" wheels and runflats, and finally to 17" wheels with 215/40 non-run flats. I can say that the ride and handling is very different. Couple with lowering, my Cooper feels like a different car. Enjoy. Chris

Nov 5th, 2005, 03:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
wils formerly known as wsw Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 684 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by XMINIX 17" wheels with 215/40 non-run flats. I can say that the ride and handling is very different. Couple with lowering, my Cooper feels like a different car. Enjoy. that's the plan chris haha thanks for the encouragement now all i need to do are talk my wallet and my 'boss' into getting what i want and this summer will be FUN ok well i just spoke to my mate who knows abt this stuff and he's been telling me abt different sized rubbers having different heights or something and this may affect the speedo?? would the 215-40's have any sort of effect there? sorry abt asking all these noob questions but i wanna get it right cheers, wils i got an exhaust because i wanted to make my car sound fast, but its not fast at all, so therefore i am a ricer....

Nov 5th, 2005, 03:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
OZChris MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 2,563 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by wsw ok well i just spoke to my mate who knows abt this stuff and he's been telling me abt different sized rubbers having different heights or something and this may affect the speedo?? would the 215-40's have any sort of effect there? sorry abt asking all these noob questions but i wanna get it right cheers, wils 215/40 does not affect the speedo too much. Last time I checked using a GPS I was almost dead on the indicated speed. No such thing as a bad question - ask away. If you want to see my Cooper, do it before January as the S arrives. Now that's another story regarding wheels. Have you decided on tyres? Cheers

Nov 5th, 2005, 03:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
wils formerly known as wsw Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 684 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by XMINIX 215/40 does not affect the speedo too much. Last time I checked using a GPS I was almost dead on the indicated speed. nice...exactly what i want to hear Quote: Originally Posted by XMINIX Have you decided on tyres? wow ur good...u read my mind as to what my next question was gonna be got any good suggestions? not too expensive or NOISY but with GRIP apart from that i'm pretty easy to please haha not asking for much am i? haha i got an exhaust because i wanted to make my car sound fast, but its not fast at all, so therefore i am a ricer....

Nov 5th, 2005, 03:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
OZChris MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 2,563 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by wsw wow ur good...u read my mind as to what my next question was gonna be got any good suggestions? not too expensive or NOISY but with GRIP apart from that i'm pretty easy to please haha not asking for much am i? haha Depends on your budget. For a budget tyre, I'd go Hankook K-104s. At the other end, I'd go Michelins Preceda. Cheers Chris

Nov 5th, 2005, 04:08 AM	#12 (permalink)
wils formerly known as wsw Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 684 Offline	hankook huh? or the michelins...hmmm might have to do some surfing...what's the damage either way? i remember reading something abt federals...i remember on some thread ^UB^ was talking abt federals being pretty good price-wise for grip but then they're noisy...heard some good stuff abt yokohama es100 or something as well...but again i dunno anything abt tires so i dunno hmmm thanks for the info anyway gonna have a looky look now i got an exhaust because i wanted to make my car sound fast, but its not fast at all, so therefore i am a ricer....

Nov 5th, 2005, 01:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
PM_ MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Local Time: 05:27 PM Posts: 102 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by XMINIX Hey Wils On my Cooper, I went from factory 15" wheels and tyres to factory 16" wheels and runflats, and finally to 17" wheels with 215/40 non-run flats. I can say that the ride and handling is very different. Couple with lowering, my Cooper feels like a different car. Enjoy. Chris How different? Mind to elaborate a little bit more maybe? Does the Cooper starts much slower with 17" & 215 tyres? In terms of the best balance between handling/grip/performance, which size do u prefer after all experiencing all three? I might try to get some 16" Enkeis (17" looks great tho) when I finish my 15" tyres

Nov 6th, 2005, 07:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
OZChris MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 04:27 PM Posts: 2,563 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by PM_ How different? Mind to elaborate a little bit more maybe? Does the Cooper starts much slower with 17" & 215 tyres? In terms of the best balance between handling/grip/performance, which size do u prefer after all experiencing all three? I might try to get some 16" Enkeis (17" looks great tho) when I finish my 15" tyres It's a little difficult to describe and I guess it's very individual, but with the 215/40-17 I just feel better feedback about what the Cooper is doing. Also coupled with having it lowered, the Cooper corners much flatter. I use a local large roundabout as a baseline. With the original 15's and tyres, I could only go 60km/h before squeeling (tyres were crap ). With the factory 16's and runflats, I managed 5 - 10 better . New with 215/40-17s, I can manage another 5 - 10 above that . It does help that the tyres have got better each time, and I have relatively light wheels. Good luck Chris

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