My 2008 Clubman needs New shoes!
I currently have 195/55r16 Run Flats on the R103 Blaster Wheels that are 16x6.5. I intend to buy Non Run Flats.
Everyone keeps talking about going to 205/55r16 or 205/50r16
Please explain why I would want Wider or Lower Aspect ratio tires
I value Quiet ride and traction the most.

 

Well wider tires would give you better traction. Lower profile tires would increase the noise though and cause a more rough ride.

 

There's more choice in the alternate sizes, its gotten better now but it used to be the choice was pretty dire. When I was looking there were about 4 different tires available in 195/55r16, now looking at Tirerack there are 45 (18 of which are runflats). In 205/50/r16 there are 48 (no runflats), in 205/55r16 there are 163 (12 runflats).

Edit: If you're looking for really high performance (UHP or better) non runflat summer tires (like I am), there's one available in 195/55r16, 12 in 205/50r16 and 32 in 205/55r16. Quite a difference in selection.

 

Had to click on this thread just to see exactly which size help you needed....curiosity got the better of me.

 

ACEkraut11 sorry for the false excitement......
Bakesonaplane...is that a ref to Snakes????? what you said is a good way to reference it, so would the only reason to get a lower profile be for looks? since it would cause more road noise.
Btwyx see you are pointing out my exact delima...way too many choices. So my First choice must be to determine the size I need right, then Style and tread pattern.
I like the idea of better traction so I prefer 205 over 195.
Will I be getting into any issues on fitting on the wheel?
mine is the 6.5" width, so would a 205 let the tread footprint correct?
In my limited knowledge I guess I'm trying to make sure the tire/wheel fitment is OK and won't wear in the Center or the Edges prematurely.
Thanks guys for guiding me......

 

I've been running 205/50r16s on the stock 16x6.5 rims on 3 MINIs for the last 80,000 miles they haven't been a problem. Most tires of that size specify 5.5-7.5" rim width.

One theory about the 205s, with the increased grip you also get increased rolling resistance, which may be one reason why I can never get good gas mileage.

I chose 205/50 because its diameter is closest to the stock 195/55. I look at the selection in 205/55 and wonder if I'd do better with that.

 

Glory Glory Man United.
nice to see ManUtd as well as Mini fan here!

 

In my experience it's best to put the same size on that the car came with but only with non run flats. Your goal is to get good traction and quiet ride. Is this all weather traction? If so I still maintain that the OEM size tires that came with the car is your best choice. With wider or lower aspect tires the crispness of handling that came with your car will change. I went to a slightly wider tire on my car and while the ride is great as far as quiet and comfort I find that the crispness that the car had with the OEM tires is not there any longer. Conversely we put the same size tires on my Wife's car that came with it only we used the Non run flat version. Her car feels smooth, quiet and the handling is almost exactly as the run flat crisp turn in type feel that the car originally had.

Whatever you choose will still probably be better than RF, but I really valued the crisp handling feel. It's one of the main attractions of the Mini.

Good luck in your endeavor. BTW we have 17 inch tires on our cars.

 

Yes, it is a reference to the movie title Snakes on a plane. It was a nickname given to me after the movie came out since my last name is Baker and most people call me Bakes.

And I would say the main reason people get lower profile tires is for 2 reasons. 1 would be looks. And 2 would be to put larger rims on their car. If you put an extra inch of wheel size on, but take an inch of tire away, you can fit 18's where you had 17's with identical clearance. That's the main reason people do that I would say. It really doesn't have any performance benefit to the change, just looks.

 

Absolutely! Heck of a game today. My family is from Manchester, so I was raised to love the red devils. Loving MINI's just came naturally