Just looking for comfort. I'm running 215-45-17 Star Specs on Kosei K1 TS 7" wheels. Can't find an 8" rims I like so staying with the Kosei's for now. But, I'm thinking of going to 225-45-17 Star Specs to get a bigger patch on pavement. I do autox and several track days each year. I've seen several folks say they're running this size tire. Just looking for anyone who is doing so without problems.
Also curious. Subscribed. They make Hoosiers in 225/40/17, but wondering about Star Specs or NT-01's in 225/45/17.
I ran a 225/45-17 on a 17x7 w/ 40 offset on a 1st gen mini, stock height. It rubbed just the plastic fender, and did so until it made its home. I can not tell where it, if at all, it made contact with the actual metal. Even then, there is nothing very sharp there that could damage the tire aside from the fender lip itself. A little bending (easy easy) and thats no longer an issue either. I am currently on a 225/50-15 (about .5" shorter of a tire) on a 15x8 et 36and have zero rubbing issues. With alll that being said, you r56 guys have a lot more room to play with from my understanding. SO you should be able to fit it just fine, but you do run the small risk of rubbing the plastic, which IMO is only annoying for a couple hundred miles (for me that was just a couple of days.....).
225/45-17 is generally considered to be too tall for a MINI, sure some run them and they will rub. Some don't care about that though. 225/40-17, I believe there is a Nitto street tire in this size, but yeah this size is rare. 225/50-15 on an 8" wheel sounds like a great combo.
I personally love the 225/50-15 combo. Only real problem with the tire size is that there are only 3 something tires to choose from, the best being the BFG Sport, which isnt the greatest compared to something like a Star Spec or re11. For what it is worth, re11's are slightly better then the Star Specs in dry weather traction.
I ran the Nitto Invos in 225/45-17 on my R53 and R55. I didn't rub on the R53 and I was lowered, though I did raise the suspension from when I was running lower profile tires. On my R55 I rubbed all the time when I was loaded down and only on dips when it was just me, and this was lowered. I shredded the carpet tire liner and pushed my arches out from wheel rubbing. At stock ride height I didn't rub. I eventually went back to 215/40-17 Yokohama S.Drives and love the size. Richard
The 225/45 NT-01s rub hard, 225/40 Hoosiers fit on R53. Both should fit R56 might need 5mm spacers or good offset to clear rear trailing arms. For summer I got NT-01 205/50-15 on 15x7 plan to get 225/45-15 Kooks RS-3 on 15x8s. (maybe NT01s)
running 225/45/18 on 18X7.5 wheels, 42 ET with TSW lowering springs, no issues. I think that is about as much of a diameter as a R56 can handle without rubbing. Find that wheel diameter and keep it at that or lower and you should be good to go
Please go here http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/track-days-hpde-s/5674-15-x-8s-r53-track-duty.html and talk about your 15X8 wheel/tire plans so I don't thread jack here.
I run 215/45/17s Starspecs now. I used 225/45/17 NT-01s at Willow Springs (big willow) and cooked both front wheel bearings. The mix of the R-comp with the wider patch and slightly taller profile really over stressed the bearings. If you go r-comps stick with 205s or 215s. If you are running s street compund you can probably get away with running a 225/45/17. Just remember your speedo will be off. Car description in sig.
I know a guy with a race MINI R53, I think he was running 225 or 235 R compounds and the front wheel came off. He tore the lugs out of the hub. He upgraded to Porsche studs and they broke off a second time. So probably good idea to not go more sticky than a Toyo R888 or Nitto NT01 and 215 width. I am running 215 with either Nitto NT01 or Toyo R888 and no problems so far.