A reference guide for both common OEM-style setups and custom performance builds. Use the arch cards to identify which arches Rogue Se7ens offers, the standard fitment table for proven wheel and tire combinations, and the custom setups section to explore what offset or spacer is needed to run wider rubber under wider arches.
This is a guide, not a guarantee of fitment. All measurements are calculated from published tire section widths and wheel ET offsets using a standardised reference point. Real-world fitment depends on variables this guide cannot account for: suspension type and condition (rubber cone, Hydrolastic, coilover), ride height, subframe alignment, steering rack position, body seam condition, and individual tyre manufacturer tolerances. Tyre section widths vary by brand even at the same nominal size. Always dry-fit before driving. Check clearance at full steering lock and at full suspension compression before use on the road or track. Contact us if you have questions about a specific setup - we're happy to talk through it.
Visual reference diagrams
What is "poke"?
Poke is how far the outer tyre face extends beyond the stock body edge, measured in inches. Three scenarios shown below - flush/tucked needs no arch, moderate poke needs an arch to cover it, excessive poke exceeds the arch and requires a wider arch or less offset.
Arch coverage comparison
All arches measured from the stock body edge outward. Wider coverage = more poke can be hidden. Race arches require bodywork modification.
Tyre & wheel cross-section
Select a wheel and tyre combination to see a scaled cross-section diagram showing rim width, tyre section width, sidewall height, and how far the assembly extends from the hub face. The dashed line shows the stock body edge reference.
Race arches (Fortech & Miglia at race spec): fabrication is required.
The Fortech-style arches and Miglia arches used at full race width are not bolt-on parts. Fitting these to a Mini involves cutting and reshaping the steel wing to accept the wider arch profile, welding or bonding additional structure where the seam is modified, and in most cases enlarging the front wing opening to clear the tire at full steering lock. The rear arches require similar metalwork - the factory rear seam should not be cut without reinforcement as it provides structural rigidity to the rear quarter. If you are new to bodywork fabrication, have these fitted by an experienced builder.
Running wider arches on a standard Mini - what to know:
Front wing opening: Any arch wider than the R7 Sport (2.5") will likely require the front wing opening to be enlarged, especially with 12" and 13" setups. This involves cutting and re-forming the lower front edge of the wing and welding the seam to restore rigidity.
Suspension: Wider tires on lower-offset wheels change the scrub radius and increase bearing load. Stiff, well-maintained suspension limits travel and prevents tire contact under compression. Worn dry rubber cones are particularly vulnerable.
Steering lock: Wide front tires with lower-offset wheels reduce available steering lock. Some builders limit travel with a rack spacer or steering stop - the Rover Sportpack models did this from the factory.
Rear arches: The rear seam is structural. Fitment at the rear is mostly about ensuring the tire doesn't contact the inner arch under load - suspension stiffness and correct ride height matter more than arch width at the rear.
Clubman front ends: The Miglia arch can be trimmed to fit the Clubman front end. Contact us before ordering if your car has a Clubman or extended front end.
Offset, spacers, and scrub radius - read before going wider:
Running lower ET (more positive offset / more outboard) or adding wheel spacers moves the tyre contact patch further from the steering axis. This changes the scrub radius - the distance between where the tyre contacts the road and where the steering axis meets the road surface.
The Classic Mini was designed with a specific scrub radius. Changing it noticeably affects steering feel, self-centring, and how the car reacts to road surface changes and braking.
A small increase in scrub radius (moving ET from 35 to 15-20) is generally tolerable on a performance build and is what most Minilite-style setups already do.
Larger changes - very low or negative ET, or spacers over 25mm - can make steering heavy, create kickback under braking, and increase wear on wheel bearings, driveshaft joints, and steering components.
Spacers add load to wheel studs and hub faces. If using spacers, ensure studs are upgraded and spacers are hub-centric and properly torqued. Avoid thin slip-on spacers on a driven axle.
On a dedicated race or track car where steering feel and component longevity are managed differently, these compromises may be acceptable. On a street car, keep offset changes moderate.
Fitment matrix
Fits selected arch
Marginal - verify clearance
Needs a wider arch
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Tire size
Rim (W × Dia / ET)
Section width
Overall dia.
Poke past stock body
Arch required
Custom and race setups shown here use lower ET offsets (or equivalent spacers) to push wider tires out under wider arches. These are not stock configurations - they require the front wing opening to be enlarged, suspension to be appropriately set up, and steering lock to be managed. The poke figures shown assume the listed ET; using a spacer on a higher-ET wheel achieves a similar outboard position but with the scrub radius implications described above. Purple rows indicate setups that require spacers or custom wheel offsets beyond what is typically available off the shelf.
Workable custom setup
Requires low / negative ET or spacer
Extreme - race / track only
Tire size
Rim (W × Dia / ET)
Section width
Overall dia.
Poke past stock body
Target arch
What ET offset means: ET (from German Einpresstiefe) is the distance in millimetres from the wheel's mounting face to its centreline. A higher ET (e.g. ET35) places the wheel further inboard - the tyre sits more under the car. A lower ET (e.g. ET7 or ET-7) places the tyre further outboard, increasing poke. To achieve a lower effective ET using a standard wheel, add a spacer: a 20mm spacer on an ET35 wheel gives the same outboard position as an ET15 wheel. See the scrub radius caution above before going below ET10 or adding spacers over 20mm on a street car.
How poke is calculated: Poke is the distance the outer tyre face extends beyond the stock Mini body edge, calculated from each wheel's ET offset and tyre section width, referenced against the stock 4.5"×10" ET35 wheel. Tyre section widths vary between manufacturers - a 165mm tyre from one brand may measure wider or narrower than another. Overall diameter figures are calculated from the nominal aspect ratio and may vary. All Rogue Se7ens arches are resin-infused carbon fiber with epoxy resin.
Contact us with questions about your specific build.