Will that work? Is the size correct for a good performance tire? Does a 205/50/15 fit on the holie?

 

205/50-15 fits on the holies - in fact, that's a popular autocross setup. They're a tight fit, but if your tire shop complains, go somewhere else that has better equipment.

 

195/55-15 will fit.

The stock 15" MINI wheel is 15x5.5" +45mm offset.

While the stock tire is 175/65-15 (24.4" tire diam.) and that works fine you can use wider tires if you want for a little better cornering and a greater selection of tires to choose from.

185/65-15 24.5" tire diameter
195/60-15 24.2" tire diameter
205/55-15 23.9" tire diameter (fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide)
are all good tire sizes for general street use.

You can also go smaller than stock tire diameter to gain an advantage of lowered gearing but speedo and odometer error does occur.

195/50-15 22.7" tire diameter (watch load rating, try 84 or higher)
195/55-15 23.4" tire diameter
205/50-15 (fits rims 6-8" wide but will fit the Holey rim) 23.1" tire diam.
are all possible especially for track or autocross or driving school applications.

I have used both 195/50-15 and 205/50-15 for daily street use and it's fine but I adjust for the speedo error which reads higher than actual.

Notice that a 15" wheel can work with a variety of sidewalls from 50 series to 65 series.

You'll need a 15x7" wheel to run 225/45-15 (competition tires)
and a 15x9 to run 275/35-15 for track/autocrossing.

Keep in mind that narrow tires are good for lower rolling resistance, lighter weight, usually less expensive, fits the narrow stock rim nicely, and cuts through snow better. Good for an All Season tire.

Wider tires are good for cornering, sometimes gives you better tire selection for performance driving, may hydroplane a little more.

 

Awesome. The tire info will really help in the upcoming spring months. I want tires that really open up the handling of the mini a little more than the stock setup. Any suggestions for what rubber to run? I am looking at Kumho ASX tires in the 195/60/15 size right now. Is there a better option? I want to keep the speedo as close as I can to stock setting.

 

Just to add really quick, lowered gearing would be pretty sweet

 

Nokian makes some fine summer tires. I have Nokian V 195/60/15, a very nice tire, responds well and improved my braking and traction over my kumho 711s 205/50/15.

 

For handling you can consider any of the summer tires from Ultra High Performance on up to Max and Extreme performance.

If you need All Season then UHP AS like the Kumho Ecsta ASX is fine or
For those that can use 215/45-17 then in this class
Yokohama AVID W4S $95 each (low stock currently) 400 treadwear 24 lbs
If you don't mind the lowered gearing then also
205/40-17 $85 each in stock 22 lbs. 23.5" tire diameter. A little firmer ride but this is a comfortable street tire, see tests-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=88
No tires in 15"

Or also in 215/45-17 UHPAS
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=87
Also other tire diameter sizes available
215/40-17
205/50-16
No tires in 15"

Goodyear Eagle F1 AS, Yokohama Advan S.4. and Michelin Pilot Sport A/S-
No sizes in 15"

Back to 15" friendly sizes for the Holeys and handle and wear well.
In Ultra High Performance All Season tires (for snow use or long wear)
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R 400 treadwear
185/65-15 $75 each low stock 24.4" tire diam. Good for those who drive in snow.
195/60-15 $75 each 24.2" tire diam. Good size overall for street use.
Test-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=87

Continental ContiExtremeContact
205/55-15 $82 each 400 treadwear 23.9" tire diameter 19 lbs
Tests-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=88
Compares with ASX

Kumho Ecsta ASX has a good selection of tires that will fit holeys
195/55-15 $65 each 18 lbs (small diameter 23.4")
195/60-15 $46 each 19 lbs 420 treadwear
205/50-15 $61 each 20 lbs (small diameter 23.1")
205/55-15 $66 each 20 lbs

Best street sizes
195/60-15
205/55-15

Also in 195/60-15
Falken Ziex Ze-912 $47 each 480 treadwear 20 lbs UHPAS tire
In 205/55-15 both in UHPAS
Toyo Proxes 4 $76 300 treadwear 19.8 lbs
Falken Ziex Ze-912 $68 each 360 treadwear 21.7 lbs

Even if you have no snow UHPAS tires are fine.
You just compromise and give up some handling for either longer treadwear or more comfort and perhaps better size selection.

If handling is important then stick to UHP summer tires but don't expect them to last 40,000 miles.

 

How much are these Nokian tires?

 

For 195/60-15

http://nokiantires.com/en/tire_v.aspx?season=summer
High performance summer tire. $84 each 300 treadwear
http://www.tiresbyweb.com/pc-6611-128-nokian-v.aspx


Nokian NRY and Z are UHP Summer tires.

 

Damn, never mind on those.

 

I think I am leaning towards either the Falken or the Kumho. Does Hankook make a decent tire in this size offering?

 

Both are fine.

In these sizes-
185/65-15
195/60-15
205/55-15

Hankook doesn't offer much for the MINI.

Hankook Rs2 Z212 Max Perf Summer tire
comes in 205/50-15 but that is much smaller than stock tire diam.

Hankook Radial K106 also possible but only a High Perf Summer tire.
340 treadwear
195/55-15 $52 each
205/50-15 $54 each
205/55-15 $57 each

 

Minihune, you have been awesome thanks so much!

One last question for you sir: What is a good performance rim to look towards if I am looking at something inexpensive (relatively) but still lightweight? I have just been looking at tires because of the weight of my holies being so low. It almost didn't make much sense to go with different rims.

 

You want to look at 15x7 rims 4x100 bolt pattern about +37mm to +42mm offset.

Tirerack.com has quite a few
Kosei K1 TS from $119 each 12.6 lbs silver, light grey +38mm offset
Motegi Racing SX5 15x6.5 $99 each +35 offset black with machined lip 16 lbs
O.Z. Chrono HT $185 each silver or black +37mm offset 13.5 lbs
O.Z. Ultraleggera $185 +37 offset 12 lbs graphite silver

If you have questions try emailing Alex@tirerack.com about the wheels.

Holeys are 15x5.5 +45 offset 12 lbs each. $free

Edgeracing.com also has some 15" rims as well

 

I like how you threw in the fact that they are free Maybe tires will do me just fine.

 

Yes, free is good.

There really is nothing wrong with the Holey rims.

Narrow is sometimes good. Certainly it is a good rim size for tires between 175 to 195mm wide. When using 205 to 225mm wide tires the 15x7 rim is much better.

I've used 205/50-15 mounted on Holeys and 15x7 rims. While the tire makes the biggest difference you get more usable tread with the right sized tire for the given rim.

12 lbs each is a good weight so the Holeys are just fine.

12 lbs for a 15x7 rim is pretty good on a budget. I didn't include the expensive rims that will go down to about 9 lbs each but cost a mint.

For street driving the difference between 9 and 12 lbs per rim isn't that much because you have gotten the bulk of the weight reduction already. Tires are about 18 to 20 lbs in that size so you're using tire rim combos that weigh roughly 29-30 lbs each corner. My light 17" wheel tire combo is more like 34-36 lbs each.

The other reason to change rims is looks- design and finish to your fancy.
Personally I like the holeys and they are easy to clean and durable.

 

I couldn't agree with you more on liking the holies as far as cleaning goes. Much beeter than my old motegis!!!

I just picked up a set of 195/60/15 tires from falken to put on this spring. I think that 912 will do just fine in all weather and be a better performance tire than the conti's that come on the car!

Thanks again minihune!

 

Yes, Falken Ze912 looks like a good fit for daily street use, good value and much much better handling than the stock Conti's.

That's because
Ze912 is Ultra High Performance All Season ($47 each but out of stock at Edgeracing.com) 480 treadwear 20 lbs
vs
ContiTouringContact CH95 is a Grand Touring All Season tire
$70 each 360 treadwear 16 lbs in 175/65-15 and 18 lbs in 196/60-15 ($65)

Performance wise- UHP should beat Grand Touring class tire but look it's also longer lasting and a good value for a little more weight.

 

What are the adverse effects to more weight?

 

Weight for tires by itself is not as important and which tire and what size.

Some tires are very light but not going to offer as good handling or as much comfort depending on which tire class.

Whenever you can get a similar tire or same tire in a different size and loose a little weight like 2+ pounds per tire then that is helpful.

If the weight is further out rotating as is tires compared to rims then for acceleration or braking you can get some benefit. But if the light tires don't grip the road well then you may not get the full advantage. If the tires are light and slip easily then what good is that?

Generally you have to look at the whole picture not just tire weight. Also tire weight has to do with constuction and some stiffer sidewall tires that offer good handling will be heavier but overall a good choice for the MINI.

 

minihune- this sounds like a very familiar size on some other car.

 

:e ek2:
275!!! And where would one find a 15x9 wheel? Holy Carp, Tireman....that's some serious shizzle!!!!!!

 

15x9 is not a problem for the MINI.

http://www.949racing.com/index.asp?P...PROD&ProdID=81
$179 in silver or black finish with polished lip. +mm offset

14.3 lbs each ships in March 2008.
More for nickel finish.

OK now put on that 275/35-15 Hoosier A6 tire
Just don't forget to cut out a huge hole for the tires from the plastic wheel arches.