I would like to know what size wheels and tires provide the most comfortable ride.

 

15" 175/65
But I wouldn't put those on an MCS...

 

Under what circumstances? Stock or modded MINI? Which one- Coupe, carbrio, MC, MCS, sport suspension, stock suspension- which year?, with which suspension mods?

On what type of roads- highway, urban, pothole and rutted roads, offroad or gravel?

The answer is different depending on your actual MINI and your needs. What is comfortable for one driver is too soft or too firm for another.

Give your specifics and your budget and we can make some suggestions.

Wheel options-
Weight is not a big factor for comfort. Moderate width is good and matches tires that have taller sidewall. An extra wide rim needs a wider tire and that usually means lower sidewall to keep the tire diameter near to stock.

Wheel size varies but most likely 15x7 or 16x7 will give the best overall tire selection. 205/55-15 or 205/50-16.

Check out the Bridgestone RE-01R, a great tire for both performance and for comfort- how can that be? It is. However treadwear is only about 140.
Select the best tire and size that fits the MINI then select the rim that will fit. This is an overkill tire for most base Coopers hardtop or cabrio.

For comfort use the stock suspension, not sports suspension and later years like 2005-2007 is good but too soft for some drivers. Do wheel alignment to factory specs every year or two. For aftermarket suspension mods consider Koni FSD shocks and stock springs. For Coilovers check with outmotoring.com for their newest offering.

For street use, I drive my modded MCS around with Stock 15x5.5" rims and Stock Conti 175/65-15 all season tires. Very smooth and works very well. I can get 29 mpg if I try. I can't get the same high performance as with my Max Perf Summer tires on 17" rims but I don't get high mpgs with that wheel.

 

Why not? Would it be smarter to trade the MCS for an MC or other car, in order to get a smoother ride?

 

You can use any MINI and 15" wheels with 175/65-15 tires but your performance envelop limits will be changed.

You can get a smoother ride with any model MINI. You just have to get the right combination of suspension and tires to suit your level of desired comfort.

MCS will do fine with 15" wheels and tires but so does MC or any cabrio. You reach the limit faster with All Season tires and you are constrained by that limit until you switch to tires that have a greater performance profile.

If you have a MINI that has it's suspension fine tuned then you can make more use of the wheels and tires you put on it. But you may also have a stiffer, harsher, noisey ride to some extent compared to stock suspension.

You don't have to trade your MINI. You have to think about matching the wheels and tires for your car and your driving skill and your needs.

 

OK, so here's one approach. Note that 205/55-16 is taller than stock at 24.9" tire diameter and is not for any lowered MINIs. Even with stock suspension it closes the wheel gap and reduces clearance- but the selection of tires is greater in that size. For best tire diameter in 16" try searching for 205/50-16.

Find a tire that suits your needs first then see what sizes fit the MINI then see what wheels will fit your MINI. Now check your budget and given the treadlife, figure out if that can work for you.

With Performance in mind as a priority with comfort a very strong consideration. Limited to 15 to 17" wheels since 18" wheels would need 35 or 40 series sidewalls.

In Extreme Performance class Summer tires-
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Potenza+RE-01R
Comes in
195/50-15 $117 each 22.7" tire diam, 82 load rating is low 180 tread 21 lbs
205/45-16 $152 each 23.2" tire diam, 6.5-7.5" wide rim, 140 tread 21 lbs
205/55-16 $124 each 24.9" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 140 tread 26 lbs
225/50-16 $133 each 24.9" tire diam, 6-8" wide rim, 140 tread 27 lbs
225/45-17 $125 each 25" tire diam, 7-8.5" wide rim, 140 tread 26 lbs
235/40-17 $176 each 24.4" tire diam, 8-9.5" wide rim, 140 tread 25 lbs
Strong in Handling wet or dry and comfort for street use
Cons- soft tread wears fast, somewhat limited sizes
Best size- 205/55-16 and 16x7 rim.

In Max Performance summer tires-
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....+Pole+Position
Comes in
205/55-16 $126 each 24.9" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 140 tread 24 lbs
225/50-16 $128 each 24.9" tire diam, 6-8" wide rim, 140 tread 26 lbs
205/50-17 $153 each 25.1" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 140 tread 24 lbs
225/45-17 $131 each 25" tire diam, 7-8.5" wide rim, 140 tread 25 lbs
Strong in Handling wet or dry and good comfort for street use
Cons- soft tread wears fast, somewhat limited sizes
Best size- 205/55-16 and 16x7 rim.

Or Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 in the same class
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ilot+Sport+PS2
Comes in
225/45-17 $188 each 25" tire diam, 7-8.5" wide rim, 220 tread 23 lbs
235/40-17 $198 each 24.4" tire diam, 8-9.5" wide rim, 220 tread 21 lbs
Balance of Handling wet or dry and moderate comfort for street use
Cons- Higher cost, limited sizes only 17"
Best size- 225/45-17 and 17x7 to 17x8" rim.

Or Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 in the same class
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Eagle+F1+GS-D3
Comes in
195/50-15 $117 each 22.7" tire diam, 82 load rating is low 280 tread 19 lbs
205/50-16 $126 each 24.1" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 280 tread 22 lbs
205/55-16 $126 each 24.9" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 280 tread 23 lbs
225/50-16 $128 each 24.9" tire diam, 6-8" wide rim, 280 tread 25 lbs
205/50-17 $153 each 25.1" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 280 tread 22 lbs
215/40-17 $153 each 23.8" tire diam, 7-8.5" wide rim, 280 tread 19 lbs
215/45-17 $153 each 24.6" tire diam, 7-8" wide rim, 280 tread 22 lbs
225/45-17 $131 each 24.9" tire diam, 7-8.5" wide rim, 280 tread 23 lbs
Balance of Handling wet or dry and moderate comfort for street use
Cons- moderately high cost, limited sizes only 17"
Best sizes- 205/50-16 or 205/55-16 and 16x7 rim.
215/45-17 and 17x7 to 17x8" rim.


Now for more comfort with a balance of performance and longer tread life.

In Ultra High Performance Summer tires-
General Exclaim UHP
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Exclaim+UHP
Comes in
195/55-15 $55 each 23.4" tire diam, 5.5-7" wide rim, 380 tread 17 lbs V speed rated
205/50-16 $66 each 24.1" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 380 tread 19 lbs W speed rated
205/55-16 $63 each 24.9" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 380 tread 20 lbs V speed rated
215/40-17 $71 each 23.8" tire diam, 7-8.5" wide rim, 380 tread 18 lbs W speed rated
215/45-17 $73 each 24.6" tire diam, 7-8" wide rim, 380 tread 18 lbs W speed rated
225/45-17 $77 each 24.9" tire diam, 7-8.5" wide rim, 380 tread 21 lbs W speed rated
Balanced but trades comfort for Handling, good treadlife and value, comfortable for street use. Good for MC or maybe Cabrio MC
Cons- For UHP not as strong on handling but still good.
Best sizes- 195/55-15 and 15x7" rim, 205/50-16 or 205/55-16 and 16x7 rim, 215/45-17 and 17x7 rim.


In Ultra High Performance All Season tires-
Yokohama ADVAN S.4.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=ADVAN+S.4.
Comes in
205/55-16 $129 each 25" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 400 tread 22 lbs W speed rated
215/45-17 $168 each 24.7" tire diam, 7-8" wide rim, 400 tread 24 lbs W speed rated
225/45-17 $165 each 24.9" tire diam, 7-8.5" wide rim, 400 tread 25 lbs W speed rated
Good balance of Handling and street comfort, good treadlife. Good for all seasons.
Cons- Higher cost, limited sizes
Best sizes- 205/55-16 and 16x7 rim, 215/45-17 and 17x7 rim.

Or Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....+Pole+Position
Comes in
185/65-15 $68 each 24.4" tire diam, 5-6.5" wide rim, 400 tread 20 lbs H speed rated
195/60-15 $68 each 24.2" tire diam, 5.5-7" wide rim, 400 tread 21 lbs H speed rated
205/60-15 $72 each 24.7" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 400 tread 23 lbs H speed rated
205/55-16 $107 each 24.9" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 400 tread 24 lbs W speed rated
225/50-16 $126 each 24.9" tire diam, 6-8" wide rim, 400 tread 25 lbs W speed rated
215/45-17 $143 each 24.6" tire diam, 7-8" wide rim, 400 tread 25 lbs W speed rated
225/45-17 $132 each 24.9" tire diam, 7-8.5" wide rim, 400 tread 26 lbs W speed rated
Good balance of Handling and street comfort, good treadlife. Good for all seasons. Wide range of sizes for 15, 16 or 17" wheels
Cons- some moderate cost, 15" tires are H speed rated (less performance oriented)
Best sizes- 185/65-15 or 195/60-15 with 15x7 rims, 205/55-16 and 16x7 rim, 215/45-17 and 17x7 rim.

In Grand Touring All Season tires-
Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....le+ResponsEdge
Comes in
195/60-15 $92 each 24.2" tire diam, 5.5-7" wide rim, 440 tread 23 lbs H speed rated
205/50-16 $120 each 24.1" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 440 tread 23 lbs V speed rated
205/55-16 $108 each 24.9" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 440 tread 24 lbs V speed rated
Good balance of Handling wet or dry, is all season, has long tread life and is comfortable for street use. Good for MC or maybe Cabrio MC
Cons- For 15" size H speed rated is less performance worthy, limited sizes only 15 (H speed rated) or 16" (V speed rated).
Best sizes- 195/60-15 and 15x7" rim, 205/50-16 or 205/55-16 and 16x7 rim.

or Turanza LS-V
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....l=Turanza+LS-V
Comes in only
205/55-15 $125 each 24" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 400 tread 23 lbs V speed rated
Gives up a little Handling, is all season, has long tread life and is comfortable for street use
Cons- in closeout at Tirerack.com, limited sizes only 15"
Best sizes- 205/55-15 and 15x7" rim

There are even more choices if you search. Contact Alex@tirerack.com for more info.

Toyo tires do offer some good All Season tires as does Falken and Hankook. Some with good value and longer treadlife.
Sometimes it's hard to compare them with those from Tirerack since evaluation (tests and customer reviews) is not consistent or under the same conditions.

 

When I bought my MCS I ordered 16" wheels because I didn't want the jarring ride 17" runflats gave the car. Even with the 16" wheels on the car the ride was too jarring for this old fart.

My solution was a set of Kumho AGX all seasons in 205/50/16. Smoothed the annoying jarring right out of the ride. I'm very happy with my choice. They are not a very good track tire. For that I'm looking into a different wheel tire combination.

My 185/65/15 snow tires ride even better, but year round use would kill them.

 

Thanks for the extremely informative post, minihune!

i still am unclear about one thing: which is more influential in a softer ride: wheel size or tire composition? I now have the 205/50/16 Pirelli pzero all season tires. This is a marked improvement over the stock Dunlop runflats, but I want go one step further. (I still experience some physical pain on my commute, over a few specific road joints.) Is the next step to replace my 16" rims with 15" ones?

Crashton seems to be saying the wheel size is the most important factor.

 

I have a set of 15" OEMs and have been using them mostly as a light snow tire. Now, I am looking to sell the lightly-used, OEM Continentals and buy some performance tires for track use. Both my MINIs came with stock 16" wheels, but both cars run just fine when I have the 15s on them.

 

In your case you can keep the 16" rims and try 205/55-16 for more comfort and look at:
In UHP summer tires,
General Exclaim UHP for $63 a great value but this is not for snow.
In UHP All season tires,
Yokohama ADVAN S.4. for $129
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS for $107
If you look at Grand Touring All Season tires you give up a little more handling and some sizes are H speed rated (street use, not for track).

If you switch to 15" rims you can get lighter 15x7 rims and consider
205/55-15 with not as good tires to choose from but there is the Bridgestone Turanza LS-V in closeout. Or for more performance then in
195/60-15 the Bridgestone RE960AS for $68 each. If your roads are really bad then consider even 185/65-15 RE960AS for more comfort.

In my other post, the tires mentioned are merely examples of what is out there.

Do your own homework to find the right mix of performance and comfort within your own budget and requirements (all season vs summer tires).

Wheel size is only one factor and more of something to be considered along with the big picture of what your needs are and what tire would best suit that. I'm suggesting looking at tires first then determine the size of tire that fits the MINI then coordinate the wheel size to fit the tire size selected, but it's shop for tires first.

Naturally if you are looking for comfort you can shop with taller sidewalls in mind such as 50,55,60 or 65 series. These tires will provide more cushion but are much less performance oriented. A really good tire like the Bridgestone RE-01R can make up for a relatively tall sidewall (50 or 55 series) and still be quite good for handling because of it's design and construction materials but within that tire model you'll give up some handling for comfort when going with taller sidewalls. For that tire if you really want great performance and comfort then consider 17x8 rims that are lightweight and 235/40-17 tires. The tire diameter is stock, it's wide not too heavy, very low profile but still comfortable. You can still mount this tire on a stock 17x7 rim but it's not as good a fit. You want the best look and best performance match the wheel width and tire size appropriately.

As for wheel size alone- 17" wheels and the right tire are just as comfortable for street use and 16" but it will depend on the tire size selected and the actual tire itself (it's design and qualities). The smaller wheel sizes allow for a broader range of sidewalls.

18" wheels require 30,35,40 series sidewalls most of the time in order to fit the MINI wheel wells. 17" wheels usually run 40 or 45 series sidewalls. 16" run about 45 to 55 series sidewalls. 15" wheels run 45 to 65 series sidewalls and still fit the MINI. What you get is tire diameters that range from very small like 22.5 to 23" to as large as about 25" with stock being about 24.4" which is your target size. Selecting a tire that is slightly smaller (1-3%) than stock allows for a little better acceleration and the equivalent of lowered gearing which is a nice plus. If you choose a tire much larger than stock then you get the opposite effect and your speedometer will show a slower speed than your actual speed- you get some error but it's not that big a deal if you can keep tire diameter pretty close to stock. Taller or wider wheels also usually add some weight which is generally not so good for performance since more power is needed to accelerate or brake heavier tires and wheels. Less weight is desireable.

So look at tire size, tire design, and tire materials in relation to wheel size.
If you select wheel size first, you have limited your tire sizes which limits your selection of tires to choose from.

 

As long as you drive normally on the street the stock 15" wheels and most tire combinations including the stock tire will be fine. It's when you push hard that you'll reach the limits of that tire, sometimes very quickly and with uncertain results.

If you want excellent handling you need to use the right tire in the right size.

On the track the stock 15" rims will work nicely with 205/50-15 which is smaller than stock at 22.8" tire diameter. Many good track tires are available in that size. However if you have stock suspension and stock alignment you will wear out your outer front edges rather quickly so plan accordingly (estimate 60 to 80% faster wear than if you have suspension upgraded and tuned for track with more front negative camber and toe out).

 

Sorry bohumk, should have explained a bit further about what I meant. A lot has to do with the sidewall height of the tire & construction. A 16 has a taller sidewall than a 17 & a 15 has a taller sidewall than a 16. The tall sidewalls have more flex & a better ride than the very short sidewall of a 17. Runflats have VERY stiff sidewalls to hold the car off the rim if the tire is flat. Conventional tires do not, that makes a very large difference in ride. IMO a V or W rated tire is going to be stiffer than a H rated tire. Now my 15 inch winter tires ride better for two reasons, one is they have a very tall sidewall & two they are a winter tire whose construction is rather soft to work well on snow, their speed rating is T.

Hope this helps some.

 

Thanks crashton, that helps some. I still am not sure if I should spend the money for 15 inch wheels. (Anybody want to trade?)

Or should I gamble on just getting slightly larger diameter 16 inch tires, of "performance" type, instead of "all-season"?

Seems like the performance tires cannot be used at freezing temperatures though. That's a little scary- what if I am out on the roads and the temp drops below 32?

 

I just bought new Kumho ASX all seasons in an ultra high performance tire at Tire Rack. They are size 205-50-16 and will be on the car tomorrow. I'll let you know my first impressions if you feel that will help.

 

That's great, please let me know. What tires are you replacing?

 

195-55-16 Dunlop 5000 DSST runflats. They still have life in them, so I'll use them on my Cooper, as I don't drive it much, other than to carshows. Besides, the Cooper still is wearing its own GoodYear runflats [which STILL havent worn out yet after 33k].

 

my 16x7.5's running GS-D3's at 33.5-34psi feels real good. H-sport springs on
stock dampers. days of jarring rides were long gone many years ago.

 

I love my Rota 16x7's with Nitto Neo Gen 205/50/16's. For me, I think the 16 inch rims are perfect for my car. Lot's of good tires out there but I just love these tires. The Neo Gens are inexpensive and very sticky to boot. I have a few friends that have them as well and have been getting great tread life out of them (30 thou +). I found the best price at "Discounttiredirect.com" but my local Discount tire shop matched the price and mounted them for free.

 

The tire construction and aspect ratio (sidewall height) will have the most significant impact on the ride. I'm surprised you went with a 205/50 vs a 205/55 - the latter is about the same amount taller as the /50 is shorter than stock size, but with a slightly taller (therefore softer) sidewall. A 'touring' tire will tend to have a softer sidewall than a 'performance' tire.
A smaller wheel diameter allows you to have a taller sidewall, while maintaining the overall tire diameter - keeping the speedo relatively accurate, and maintaining the final drive ratio.

If you find a local club, you may be able to get someone to loan you a set of 15", just so you can see if they give you the ride you're looking for.
If you really wanted to, I'd bet you could find someone to swap rims. OEM takeoffs usually can be had for cheap, especially the 15".
Another option is to look at new shocks - Koni FSDs have been lauded here for providing a smoother ride.

 

I had the Kumho ASX 205-50-16s put on my OEM v-spokes today and have driven about 100 miles on all sorts of roads to see if there is any difference between them and the runflats. I can honestly say, YES! I noticed it as soon as I pulled away from the installer. No more feeling that I am running on cement blocks! The car feels more sure-footed now. Of course, any rough road is going to feel rough on my car, especially since it's been lowered and has camber plates, rear swaybar and such, but I'm REALLY happy with my choice, so far. Later this week, I am headed to TN, for MME and will be driving on the Dragon Sunday. I just can't wait!

 

I'm surprised too! I guess I didn't have very good advice, and I myself am certainly no tire expert. I think I am becoming one, out of necessity.

Most of us don't know much about tires, we just choose between options given to us by others. I don't recall anyone offering that option, including alex.

Thanks for the tip about touring tires- that's news to me also!

 

You did have good advice.

Read this tread again. Post #6 lists many of the options based on comfort being a consideration (various classes and prices noted).

Post #10 specifically mentions some options for you including getting tires in 205/55-16 which is very common for the MINI.

This in no way means that 205/50-16 is not a viable option and in fact some tires only come in one size or the other so that limits options.

There is nothing wrong with the size or the tire you picked. Alex will answer any concerns you have but if you considered all of the various options on sizes and tires it will make the whole process alot more complicated.

So 205/50-16 fits stock 16" rims and offers a good street tire with a bit lower sidewall but not overly so. I think the firmness will vary from tire to tire and from class to class. It's a good size.

205/55-16 is nice, fits stock 16" rims and is taller so a bit more comfortable but you do give a little up on handling. It is a bit taller compared to the shorter 205/50-16.

In the end, you did fine. Got more questions let me know.

 

I wasn't talking about your advice, minihune. i bought my tires last fall.

I wish I had bought 205/55/16s, knowing what I know now. I tend to learn things the hard way!

Maybe I am just a slow learner. I still don't know what to do next time, whether to take the plunge to 15s or take another gamble on some different 16s.

 

Ok, that makes more sense. Well you can learn as you go like most of us will do.

You can definitely put 205/55-16 on the list as strong possibles or if you do switch to 15" rims then consider 205/55-15 also a very good size.

As I posted earlier for 205/55-16 these are a great place to start looking-

In Ultra High Performance Summer tires-
General Exclaim UHP 205/55-16 $63 each 24.9" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 380 tread 20 lbs V speed rated

In Ultra High Performance All Season tires-
Yokohama ADVAN S.4. 205/55-16 $129 each 25" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 400 tread 22 lbs W speed rated

Or Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position 205/55-16 $107 each 24.9" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 400 tread 24 lbs W speed rated

In Grand Touring All Season tires-
Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge 205/50-16 $120, 24.1" tire diam, 5.5-7.5" wide rim, 440 tread 23 lbs V speed rated

Try to find other owners that might have sizes or tires that you want to check out. Go for a ride or ask how their tires are doing.

 

Bohunk (can't believe I'm writing that... ),
Have you checked into a local club? Around here I know it would be pretty easy to arrange a 'test drive' on a set of 15"s, just to see if that's what you're looking for.
Don't feel bad - we all have to deal with the learning curve. I don't drive a ton (and have a few play cars) so I tend to have my tires for YEARS - thus purchases are not something I take lightly. In fact, at the moment I'm cogitating on a set of 16" myself. (and kicking myself for not jumping on the Ecstas on sale at TR at the end of May )