Let me first point out that I know nothing about tires so there might be a few questions people would think are stupid.

I currently have a 2005 MCS with Goodyear Eagle RS-A 205/45R17 run-flat tires. They've got about 19k miles on it and need replacing.

What exactly does the RS-A stand for? What's the 205/45R17 stand for? I know the 17 stands for 17 inches and the 45 stands for the height of the sidewall but I'm not sure what the 205 stands for.

I've searched the forums here looking at tire recommendations and just come away a bit more confused. I've read one post that stated to look for 205/40R17 to get a better selection of tires. What's that going to do to my car? What are the negatives of getting a 40 vs. a 45?

Since I this is my daily driver and I'll be driving in snow, I've decided that I'll get just regular tires and not run-flats. I'd like to get UHP all season tires but the only thing that pops up for 205/45R17 at tirerack.com are Avon Tech M550 A/S. I've never heard of this brand but the reviewers seem to like them enough. Has anyone else ever heard of this brand? Does anyone else have any recommendations?

 

I run Avon Tech RA's at the track they work good.

 

There are people on here who are very well educated in tires... I will tell you what I am using.

Many people switch to non-run flat tires and move up to a 215/45/17 tire size. That opens up a few more options in tires. That is what I switched to and I do not notice any rubbing or anything and the change in ride quality over the runflats was amazing.

I decided to go with an affordable tire by Continental called the Extreme Contact. After researching a good bit they supposedly were one of the better tires to be used in snow if you are trying to not have dedicated snow tires. I think they are $87 at Tirerack...?

To answer your question, the 205 is the width of the tire. So 205mm is the width of the stock tire. The 215/45 will be a little wider and just a tad taller in side wall height.

I have been contemplating going w/ 16" wheels/tires instead of 17"...

Good luck, some experts will chime in soon.

 

Thanks for the quick replies.

KHD, with getting wider tires...wasn't there a chance that it would rub against the wheel well?

 

Yes, there is a chance of rubbing with larger tires. I searched a lot of threads before I bought my tires and everywhere indicated that 215/45/17 does not rub at all.

Here are a few different threads of people asking the fit / rubbing question.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=215%2F45%2F17

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=215%2F45%2F17

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=215%2F45%2F17

 

Thanks KHD. I'll have to look at 215/45 too.

 

This will explain what all the numbers mean:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=46

This is useful for comparing different sizes:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

Regarding Avon, they may not be very common here in the US but they've been around in Europe for a long time. They supply a lot of road racing slicks (real slicks, not DOT R compounds).

Scott
90SM

 

Avon Tech M550 A/S is fine.

If you want the same fit as stock tires then buy 205/45-17 but choices are limited as you have found.

Since you have some snow choose an All Season tire.

Since you have stock suspension and MCS you can start with-
Ultra High Performance All Season tires in 215/45-17 since this is only slightly taller than stock size and will fit without rubbing using stock suspension. It is a good size for daily use since 45 series sidewall offers some performance and some comfort but it's still reasonably stiff.

You didn't mention your budget but here are a few good choices with top customer rated tires in descending order.

Yokohama ADVAN S.4. $168 each 400 treadwear
Bridgestone potenza RE960AS $143 each 400 treadwear
Continental ContiExtremeContact $87 each 400 treadwear
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $119 each 400 treadwear
Avon Tech M550 A/S $99 each 360 treadwear
Kumho Ecsta ASX $86 each 420 treadwear

Top two are the best overall tires but cost more.
Best value tires are ContiExtremeContact and Kumho ASX.
Any of them are descent for the MINI and some snow.

see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true
or in High Performance All Season tires for 215/45-17 see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true

Bridgestone Potenza G 009 $131 each 460 treadwear
Yokohama AVID H4S $93 each 500 treadwear
Dunlop SP Sport A2 Plus $85 each 460 treadwear
Fuzion HRi $62 each 400 treadwear
Note: Many of these tires are H speed rated (street use, not for track)

Tirerack tests for several HPAS tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...e1=yes&place=5

 

Cool. Thanks for the info minihue.

I'll check those tires out as well. Greatly appreciate the help and input everyone has given me so far.