rear tyre rubbing

[Proview1122]

Hi
I have just bought a mcs jcw 2004 and its fantastic but only with one or two people in it as soon as three or four people are in it the rear tyres rub on the little plastic joining strip that fastens two bits of the wheel arch together it’s also got two little metal clips on it, this happens when going over a bump or going round a corner it’s got standard suspension but after market 17" wheels as follows

Brayton Flame sport wheels
Stamped on the inside of the spokes
7j X 17H2
ET 42
50 70 17

Tyres
Bridgestone Portenza
215 40 17 87W run flats
Help what can I do to solve this issue because I don’t want a two seater

[MINIAC]

I suspect that the previous owner fitted lowering springs.

Can you remove the plastic strip?

[Countdown]

surprised its rubbing with those wheels specs.

Options in order of preference for me:

1. See if you can remove/grind down the clips thats fouling the tyre?

2. Smaller tyre, perhaps less width so maybe 205/45 (which is standard on MINI 17" rims). 205/40 I suspect would defo clear it if just catching the tyre.

3. Is it lowered? by how much? raise the ride height?

4. New wheels with a higher offset, ET48 or there abouts?

[Proview1122]

Wow thanks for swift answers
Miniac
Its got Mini stuck on the shocker so presumed standard springs but looking through the wheel spokes I see a label with RW see pic (if I can upload them) so maybe springs have been lowered please advise me.
I think the plastic strip held on with the clip is needed to join the arch to the bumper (it also sticks out from the edge a little bit so I don’t think I could get rid of it

countdown same answer to 1 and 3 205/45 seem a good Idea but if they rub again lot of money spent
don’t really want new wheel these are almost brand-new I guess previous owner never had anyone in the back

I will try to upload pics

Cheers

[MINIAC]

Looks lowered to me ...

A 205/45-17 tire has 6.25mm more sidewall than a 215/40-17. It will stick out 5mm less than the current tires but I'm not sure they won't rub.

[Proview1122]

sorry I just looked again and the tyres ar not 40 profile they are 45 does that change things
Brayton Flame sport wheels
Stamped on the inside of the spokes
7j X 17H2
ET 42
50 70 17

Tyres
Bridgestone Portenza
215 45 17 87W run flat

sorry about that

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Proview1122 (original)

sorry I just looked again and the tyres ar not 40 profile they are 45 does that change things

Yes ... running 215/40-17 instead of 215/45-17 tires will give you 10.75mm more clearance.

If you want run flats you'll have to go with 205/45-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT.

[Countdown]

Lowered on Eibach Springs (by approx 35mm).

[Proview1122]

Quote:

Lowered on Eibach Springs (by approx 35mm).

Yes I agree with estimate! And you think they are Eibach Springs I did not realise it had been lowered!

I did a very scientific test I parked next to a standard 1st gen mini (assume ride height is the same) put two fingers between rear tyre and wheel arch I can only get one finger between my rear tyre and arch, measure finger width = approximately 30mm

So

car is lowered approx 30 - 35mm

has

Brayton Flame sport wheels
7j X 17H2
ET 42

and tyres are

Bridgestone Portenza
215 45 17 87W run flat

What shall I do go for the 205 / 45 / 17 bridgestones would this give the clearence I need or remove the little flap of plastic and the clips as I have read someone doing on this forum would this work? It would be a lot cheaper although would I have probs with arch bumper lining up / vibrating.
BTW what does the flap do?

TIA