18" seem to be a pretty big jump from 15", most here have found a happy medium equals a 17". I am not a suspension guru by any stretch of the imagination but you if you start adding spacers you are going to push the tires out of the wheel well, ending up with ride height issues.
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GokartPilot Well-Known Member
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Well, I have the wheels, and want to effectively make them work. Heightwise, they are fine. Only about 1/2" taller. I was just curious if anyone has run into this same situation, and looking for recommendations on spacers. 5mm, 10mm, 15mm... I know they will push outward, but I'm not going to have an issue with the wheel well rub, just wanting to correct the suspension rub. I was surprised to have run into this. Never had rim issues with any of my Benz's, other than brake diameter restrictions.
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wmwny Well-Known Member
Welcome to M/A!
I'm sorry to not be of any help, as my 3 MINIs run 15", 16" and 17" wheels...depending on the seasons. Also, my MINIs are all Gen 1s and i think the bolt patterns are probably different from the 4 bolts I have on my wheels and I am totally illiterate on the use of spacers. :nonod:
Even so, again, welcome to our MINI corner of the world! :cornut: -
I am quite surprised that I am the first person ever to have run into this. Searching the web and everything.
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your wheels most likely have the wrong offset for their width. That means they are too deep in the wheel well. Diameter issues would cause fender rubbing, not inside issues on the struts or suspension pieces.
When rims get wider, e.g. from 6 to 7 inches. their center needs to be moved more to the outside, otherwise they "grow" towards the inside where those parts live you don't want the tires/rims to rub. Adding a spacer can move the wheels further out, but you need longer wheel bolts (or studs if converted to studs)
Here's a good overview of what's going on - read especially the part about offset
http://www.moderntiredealer.com/article/312133/an-installer-s-guide-to-wheel-offset