So I've done the search but not finding *exactly* the info I'm looking for...

I have the 17" alloy crown spoke rims (black) with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A run flats in 205/45R17 84V that came stock. After reading all the posts, will switch out to non-run flats. Here's my questions:

1. I live in Vegas, few cold days a year, maybe only one with snow on the ground but does get in the 30's. I want to get a ultra high performance summer tire ("accidently got her up to 130 last weekend on the V's!). I like motoring around fast and will be doing "spirited" driving but no track. Any reason to not get the summer tires and just run them all year round? I don't really like the idea of separate summer/winter tires.

2. I have read that there's no problem mounting non-run flats on my stock rims and no problems with the TPMS. Confirmation would be nice, as well as some additional info as to whether the TPMS still works after using the non-run flats (I think it does, 'cause I read that TPMS is required on all US cars after '08).

3. I see many people switching from the 205's to the 215's. If I understand, the 215's are a bit taller on the sidewall so provide a better ride at the expense of handling. Is that correct? Is it really *that* significant for my application? Would a rear sway bar negate the difference?

4. Of course, what brands! Just looking for consensus on a UHP tire for my application. I expect to pay for a good tire.

thanks!

 

A consensus on performance tires is rarer than attorneys that agree on a point of law. You haven't said how much you value ride comfort or tread life.

Take it easy when the air temperature is freezing and especially easy with light snow on the road if you go with summer tires. The alternative would be all-season tires, not snow tires.

The extra width of 215's should offset the effect of the exta height on handling.

TPMS is not affected by the type of tire you mount on the wheel.

I assume you are addressing what you will do if you get a flat.

I autocross and for that purpose I fit treadless tires that provide the very best dry grip. For street driving I usually mount all-season Continentals. Exceeding their grip level on the street is socially irresponsible if not psychopathic. But that is just me.

 

Good points, thanks! agree about exceeding grip level, but there's miles and miles of straight, *empty* roads around here that just beg for a wot now and then.

I'm ok with the rougher ride, I don't want a spongy ride and it's not a touring car per se, so I value control/performance over comfort. Tread life I'm middle of the road on, I suppose the more I spend the more tread life I'd like but I'm not unrealistic about what I'll get/give up to get the decent tire.

Thanks!

 

My personal choices would be:

Continental Extreme Contact DWS $108 205/45-17
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus $131.50 215/45-17

Prices are TireRack with current rebate.

 

You could probably use a 215/40R17 to get a wider tire that doesn't have a significant change in over all tire diameter. A quick poke around www.tirerack.com shows me that you have several choices with less than a 1/2 inch change. The sidewall will be about the same height, and there should be an improvement in handling and ride.

If you go with a 215/45R17 you will have a higher sidewall, and a fairly significant change in overall diameter. This will affect your speedometer, and could lead to rubbing.

 

205/45/17 yokohama s/drives. crown spokes will do 215 or225 next time. 225 refers to width, 45 refers to sidewall height

 

"If you go with a 215/45R17 you will have a higher sidewall, and a fairly significant change in overall diameter. This will affect your speedometer, and could lead to rubbing."

215/45 is 24.6" diameter. 205/45 is 24.3" diameter. 195/55-16 with Factory fitted Bridgestone Turanza is 24.6" diameter.

Mini speedometers are optimistic. The taller tire makes it the more accurate, not less.

 

45 refers to sidewall height as a percentage of width.

 

I just double checked the numbers. There are two different tires in the 205/45 tires that the OP said were on his car. The one that I had been looking at had a diameter of 23.5 inches. I see now that the other Bridgestone Potenza RE050A runflat is listed as a BMW runflat and has a diameter of 24.2 inches.

You are right. Most of the 215/45's would be a good fit. I just wonder how there are two versions of the same tire that are almost 3/4 of an inch different, but yet are both 205/45R17. That could get very confusing.

 

Just really take a good look at the overall diameters of a lot of tires. Same brand just different models and you will find a variance of 1/2" normally. 3/4" is a little much but is very likely the true case.

Take a good look at the Dunlop site for 215/45-17's you will see a variance of .6 inches depending on models.

I don't really understand it either but it is true. I have stood 5 different tires of the same size up next to each other and physically can see the difference.

@ donmiller714:

I just put on Yokohama S.Drives 215/45-17's Non-Runflats. I took the car down to North Carolina to MINIs On The Dragon 8 (2010) and drove the car very hard and these tires just stuck to the road. I was following another car that was running OEM All Season Runflats and she lost grip a few times long before my car was even close to losing grip. Ride is also a little better that the OEM Dunlop Runflats were.

Tire rack has these currently for $99.00 each. That compared to $319 for the OEM tire was more than enough for me to go with them. They also came recommended from a number of friends.

Diameter change was from 24.5" to 24.7" and the change in accuracy of my speedo changed less than 1MPH. in stead of being a solid 3MPH high it is now bouncing between 2-3MPH high when compared to my GPS.

 

The strange part is that these two tires were listed under the same model, just two different listings. I do see why the difference in diameter. The smaller diameter tire is set up to be installed on a wider wheel. This would probably account for the .75 inch difference in the two tires of the same model and size.

 

The Yokohama S-Drive looks like a great bargain of a pretty darn good performance tire.

 

Right on, thanks all! Looks like S.Drives are the ticket. Any concerns driving these carefully in winter months of las vegas?

 

In the research i did no the Yokohama S.Drives i found that the rubber compound is good for not wearing to much down to about 40 degrees. Beyond that the tire will be very hard and will slip on dry roads some but still give better traction than many all seasons at that temp.

I have not driven them in any kind of snow persaonaly but a friend in NC has driven then in light snow and stated that they can slip very easily but if you are careful then you should be okay.

As Las Vegas does not get snow all that often (average annual snow fall of 1.2") you will probably be okay. But just remember that if it does snow to be very careful.

 

mine drive almost as good-wet/lower temp. of course drive smart, it save your *** every time.