Hello everyone... I'm new around here and was hoping for some suggestions on tires. I just purchased an 06 R53 and I'm looking to replace the run flats it came with with some Slipstreams (16x7's) and I'm not sure what size tires I should run with them... also I'm wanting a tire that will work double duty as daily and weekend track tire. Thanks for any input

 

Tire wise I'd go for the Bridgestone potenza RE-11. It's a great tire. Not sure if they make em in 16" for the mini, you'd have to check tirerack.com. I've got em in 205/45/17 and I love 'em!

 

Cool... I'll have to check those out... anyone else have any input on sizes? I've been told possibly 215/45/16's, 215/40/16's and possibly 205's.

 

I run Nitto Neo Gens in a 205/50/15 size for late Spring to early Fall, Dragon-slaying, and track days at Mid-Ohio. I run Kumho ASX all seasons in 215/50/16 and also in 205/45/16 for fair weather [early Spring and Fall] for daily driving and early-late season track days, and Blizzaks in a 185/60/15 for Winter.

 

Could you compare/contrast the 215/50/16's and the 205/45/16's? Why would I want one over the other? (Pardon my tire stupidity).

 

Truth be told, I just got a new set of the 205/45/16 ASXes. Tire Rack was closing them out and the 215/50 16s are showing the effects of late Fall and early Spring track days. I like the ASX, though, and intend to use this new set for daily driving and then will switch them over for when I want to go to the track. My wife keeps asking me, though, 'why do you have so many tire/wheel sets?' Presently, I have 2 sets of R84s, one set for the 15" snows, and then the 15" set for the Neo Gens.

I have always been pretty faithful to the 50 series, but it seems that these 45s ride just a tad lower and I like that since the car is lowered anyway with TSW springs.

The 215s came in a set I purchased on here a few years ago. Otherwise, I'd have probably stuck with the 205s.

The 215s rub just a tad, too, and that's why I think I prefer the 205s.

 

I run a 225/50-16. I really like it.

 

205/50/16 is a popular size for 16" wheels with a number of choices. 205/55/16
has even more choices but a little tall - maybe not the best if you're lowered.
215/45/16 and 215/50/16 have limited choices.
205/45/16 is a little on the short size but will work.

If you want a tire to double as a track tire, the Dunlop Direzza Star Spec (or maybe
even better, wait a few months for the Direzza II to come out) is a very good extreme
performance summer tire, followed by the Yoko Advan Neova Ad08 and Toyo Proxes R1R.
If willing to go with 205/55/16, add the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 (more track oriented)
and Bridgestone Pole Position S-04 (more street oriented).

If willing to drop the track requirement, then perhaps the more comfortable Conti ExtremeContact DW,
which is great in the wet, very light, and quite capable in the dry, but with less crisp
steering response than any of the above, and available in 205/50/16 (and 205/55/16).

 

Awesome... thanks for the recommendations... One last question (hopefully)... I'm on stock suspension (which I'll keep for at least one season of autox), but then hopefully go to the Koni Yellow adjustables with matched springs... Will the 45's look weird with the stock ride heighth? Will I have trouble with 50's when it drops a little bit from the suspension? Again... thanks so much for the input.

Quentin

 

215/45/16 will show a slightly bigger wheel to fender gap and 205/45/16 even more,
with a little reduced ground clearance and more speedo error to boot.
Whether that looks weird is up to you.
205/50/16 is actually within range for oem sizes, so if the suspension
is dropped it will be no worse than stock and should be fine.
215/50/16 should probably be ok, 205/55/16 can rub on lowered suspensions sometimes.
Koni Yellows should work well with stock height as well as lowered springs, but
there's some advantages to sticking with stock height (increased suspension travel
and better geometry).

 

I have 16" slips as well and have been running 205/50-16's. I am on my second set and they couldn't be better.