[L14MWY]

Hi, im considering lowering my mini the only problem is i have 225/35/ZR18s fitted to the car, this has been giving me rubbin if i have 2 passengers in the back for a little while now, if i lowered teh car is there any way to prevent this? or is it a lost cause?

Cheers for any help!

[Nath316]

well you can lower them but be careful of teh rubbing

one way is too add blocks to the springs so that they do not compress as much whenunder load (ie passengers in back) this does cause a harder ride tho.

you can use the blocks that are used by cars for towing caravans

alternatively dont have passengers

[L14MWY]

you reckon id get any catching when i turn the wheel or anything?

[Nath316]

at the front mmmm

possibly only way to find is to do it and see

depends on your width I suppose

[Richard Crofts]

Not on the rear, obviously but 225 is quite wide. Whats the actual rim width? This does make a difference as a 8" rim running a 225 will sit fatter than a 7.5 rim with a 225.

[L14MWY]

18 inch wheels 7.5 i think

[Nath316]

not to sure on the clearance on Minis so cannot comment to be honest I will bow out to the more experienced

[L14MWY]

ok no problem

[Nath316]

however i would say that as you on 7.5 you should be ok

[L14MWY]

lol... ok, how much are these blocks to go on the back?

[Nath316]

not sure

they are not expensive

on here with diagrams

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/nr/rdon...ensionaids.pdf

detail

Only for cars with coil springs:
• Aeon Coil Lift £31 - £35
• Do'nut £30 - £35
• Grayston £19 - £35

A friend of mine had some fitted on his modified car as he had alot of weight over the back end and it avoided rub

[Fu Manchu]

L14MWY. You need to tell us the following so we can have a proper stab at it.

-Width of the wheel
-offset

the make and model of the wheel may help us get this info if you don't know.

I'm on 18x7.5 with an offset of 45 and run 215/35/18, and have never had rubbing. Don't carry rear seat passengers really though.

If you give us the info above there will be someone on here that can help I'm sure.

[L14MWY]

the wheels are Masitaly Sagitta 18"'s

225/35/ZR18

7.5 width

and i THINK the offset is 45?

[Fu Manchu]

If the offset is 45 then your wheels are the same size as mine. You might be better off with the 215/35/18 tyres then. I'm on Eibach springs and have never had any rubbing in normal driving, but like I say I don't carry rear passengers. Can't find info on the wheels as they appear to have gone out of business.

[L14MWY]

whats the difference between 225/35/18 and 215/35/18 like? would 215s fit my car?

[golo]

i tried 225/35/18 when i bought the wheels (18 x 8 + 42), and it rubs all the time
and i'm using 215/35 on my 18 x 8 +42 wheels, and no problem at all

[L14MWY]

whats teh difference with 225 and 215 like

[Nath316]

the difference i believe is teh overall tyre width so as they are narrower they do not rub

[Fu Manchu]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nath316 (original)

the difference i believe is teh overall tyre width so as they are narrower they do not rub

Quite 215s are 10mm narrower than 225.

The 35 figure is the profile of the tyre as a percentage of the width. So
225/35/18 = 615 mm diameter
215/35/18 = 608mm. Slightly smaller
MINI's stock 17"s are 616mm, 205/45/17

So basically 215's are smaller and give approx 4-5mm extra clearance all round. Don't forget this means there is 4mm less of rubber between the rim and the road.

Useful link.

TYRESAVE: Tyre Size Calculator

[steve11]

I believe your problem is the 225 tyre width.
A 215/40/18 tyre would be the ideal size for a 18" rim as this equates to a 2% overall increase in height & if your rims are a 45 offset you wont experience any rubbing.
By the way i am running 19x8 rims with 215/35/19 tyres & lowered Eibach springs.
Keep in mind it is tyre width & rim offset that causes the rubbing on the plastic inner guard liner, NOT the tyre height, so there is no need to decrease the overall height, not to mention the poor asthetics of a small wheel/tyre combo.