only 700 miles on my clubman but would likes more rubber on the ground as 195/55/16 is a bit less than I need. I could put 205/16/55 and the bigger grip with a closer speedo accuracy . Not sure how the 205 will be on the factory 6.5 wheels. Or should I just get some 17 wheels and mount 205/45/17 which would be about factory diameter ?

I want more traction and to keep the softer ride. So stuff 205's on factory rims or go 17 with 205/45 tires ?

 

If you aren't staying with runflats, 205/50-16 fits well on the 6.5" wide wheel.

Correcting the speedo with a taller tire increases the center of gravity which reduces the handling capability. That will at the least partially offset the improved cornering from the wider tire. 17's will reduce the height of the side wall and degrade the ride over bumps and potholes.

Be all of that as it may, the biggest factor by far is the brand/model of tire you choose.

 

want to stay with run flats

 

Based on multiple posts here on NAM you might want to consider these:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....PRFT&tab=Sizes

I would not expect miracles. Run flats don't have much flex in the side walls which limits the ultimate amount of grip.

 

No matter what size 16 inch tire you use it will ride smoother than the 17 inch. Also more than likely a 17 inch rim and tire will weight more than a 16 inch set up and you will notice some decrease in initial acceleration and reduced gas mileage. I have tired both and will stick with the 16 inch wheels for smoother ride and better acceleration and gas mileage. They may not look as cool as 17 inch wheels but you will lessen your chances of bending a rim due to pot holes if you stay with a 16 inch rim.

 

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna stay with 16 just not
Sure if I want to try 205 and if I do 55 or 50 series ?

 

Just falling on my 1/4 mile track experience is the more side wall flex the more off the line traction. So even with RFT's I would assume the same applies. I just want a slightly larger contact patch so I think going to 205/55/16 would do that and have just enough size difference to get the speedo about 1 mph closer , still keep the same ratio and sidewall.

So long as the 205 is not going to be pinched in the factory 16x6.5 wheel

would like to here from those running 205/55/16 on stock rims.

 

I had switched from 195/55-16 to 225/50-16 (R-S3's) this summer.
1.69% rolling diameter difference, not detectable in real life.
OEM 16x6.5 rims, no rubbing, happy camper.

a

 

I've been running 205/55/16 on my factory rims for more than 100,000 miles. No problems whatsoever. I am running non-RFT, but I would not expect the RFT to be any different.

jmo, but the additional grip provided by the wider tire (and when I have summer tires on the extra grippiness compared to the all-season RFT that were OEM on my MINI) more than offsets the minor change in ride height and center of gravity.

 

I just noticed that part of the original question had 2 issues that had gone un-addressed:
1). Would 205mm wide tires fit on stock 6.5" wheel. Definitely yes.
Take Hankook RS-3 tire (very wide, and available in many 16" sizes) for example (click on "specs"): http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Ventus+R-S3
Per manufacturer spec, 6" wide wheels are acceptable for both 205/55 and 225/50 tire size/aspect ratio in 16" fitments.
Similar story from Bridgestone w.r.t. RE-11a fitments:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Potenza+RE-11A

Note that 225 wide tires are a bit heavier, but also cheaper than 205 equivalents (due to greater applicability of 225s) !

2). The choice between 16 and 17" wheels. All things being equal, I would stay on 16's as they are lighter, the tires are cheaper, and higher aspect ratio will result in smoother ride on the street.

However, all things are not equal - some performance tires are only available in 17" sizes (205/45-17, etc). So start with identifying the tires you want on your car, than match them to the wheel fitment options. If the tire is available in both 16" and 17" wheel sizes, go with 16s.

a

 

I had to drive in 2 days of ICE ands frozen slush on my conti DW's , might
as well call them DWI's . Summer only my butt. But on a FWD car and any experience the tire worked great.

 

On my old '03 MCS I substituted OEM runflats on 16" rims with non-RF Goodyear Eagle F1-GS tires in 215/50/16 size. Those were awesome tires, the car was transformed! Alas I don't think they are available in that size anymore. With non-RFs, at first I kept a fix kit in the car, and later got a space saver spare for long trips. On my new 2013 MCS I still have the OEM 195/55/16 runflats and will wear them out, and will then consider finding 215/50/16 non-RFs ultra performance. Right now all I could find on Tire rack in that size is Kumho Exta ASX all-seasons. RF vs non-RF aside, in my experience 215/50/16 is the best tire size for 16" rims, and in terms of all sizes but width comes closest to 195/55/16.

 

Mine are 205/50/16

 

If sticking with RFTs and the cost associated with buying new ones, I would wear the old ones out first before buying more of those expensive bad boys. And changing from a 195 to 205 wont be a huge difference.

Is it more traction for turning or for acceleration?

 

traction. And I already bought and have about 400 miles on them. I put new
potenza RFT's on the wife 2010 MCS

 

Funny how a ad on here for a Juke , pronounced JOKE wanted to race me, what a joke .

As for Khumos I had mixed experience on my Trans Am with those, the first
set was their original exsta's I think , good performance but only lasted about 15K before they gave up the traction. Then tried the the AST I think they where called , lousy rain traction. My son now has BFG comp2's , pretty good but time will tell.

 

I'll solve your problem.

1.) 215-40-17 Michelin pilot sports for the summer. (Not a run flat)

2. 195-55-16 Michelin pilot alpin rft snow tires...

Yea, that does mean you need another set of wheels, but...