Brakes Wheels 1st Gen Tires Most liked posts in thread: New tires and size....

You will have rubbing issues in the rear but it's just plastic and the tire will trim the space it needs.

Also make sure under load you have space between on the inside sidewall and the coilover or springs on shocks. If not you will have to add a spacer at the hubs.

 

I run that size on my GTI & it works perfectly.

Scott I am not a fan of spacers although many seem to use them. One more failure point if you ask me. Buy good ones if you go that route.

 

I went with 225/45/17 on my stock height
R56...

It lasted about 3 days before I took them off because every slight bump I hit, rubbed like crazy. To make those work, I'd have needed lowering springs atleast to reduce the bounce, and probably have to run additional camber.

 

More than plastic Dave...when I installed 225 Nittos, they rubbed the wheel flange (rear) just inside the plastic fender...they are pretty stout where the inner/outer pieces of the chassis are welded and can't just be pounded or grounded down

 

Yeah I added a 5 mm spacer and for that metal part on the inside. For around the arch I took off the plastic and rimmed it then I also got out the old hammer and dolly from my body shop days and flared it out a good 5-8 mm. You have to be careful with the arch because of the welds and its painted but it covered by the arches. :ihih:

 

Stick with the 215's for the reasons everyone has stated, and just go slightly lower (3/4") with these from Colin:
https://www.greeneperformance.com/collections/mini-oem-performance-parts/products/swift-spec-r-lowering-springs-mini

 

^^^ True, 225's are not worth the trouble.

 

Yeah Spacers always require longer lug bolts and I buy mine from Turner motorsport.

They have longer lug bolts for 3mm spacers all the way up to 20mm spacers.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-338594-wheel-bolt-set-12x150-black-for-most-1975-2012-bmw-mini/?pdk=AQ