215/40-18's.....38 front, 36 rear on an 06 JCW cab.

Factory says for the stock 205/40-18's 36/36.

 

Hate to keep beating this dead horse, but I'm a n00b here and I'm kinda in the same dilemma. However, I am running on 16" Bridgespokes currently. I have already lowered my '08 MCS with NM Eng. springs and plan to buy aftermarket 17" wheels. This is a daily driver/commuter vehicle and I go over some pretty crappy surfaces everyday. I am unclear if I should get 205 vs 215 with my new wheels. I am looking at a few different wheels. Some are offset at 45 and some at 42. I think I've ruled out the 40mm.

Should I consider a 205/45/17 if I go with a 42mm offset or 215/45/17 if I stick with a 45mm offset... or would I be fine with 215s for either setup?

Thanks in advance!

-Steven

 

The difference in offset between 40, 42 and 45, assuming all wheels are identical width, is so small its not really worth consideration IMO. 5mm represents a change inward or outward of about 3/16".

Also the difference in sidewall height between 215/45 and 205/45 is 4.5%. The sidewall is what affects ride quality, such a small difference really won't be noticeable.

 

Once you have lowered your suspension then a wider than stock 17x7" wheel or wider than stock 204/45-17 tire will have less clearance.

Assuming you choose 17x7" and 42mm offset then you can use-
205/45-17
or
215/40-17 and avoid rubbing.

215/45-17 may rub if you have a wide wheel, aggressive offset (38mm) or more drop to your suspension. Lowering springs are not ride height adjustable so you can look at your current wheel/tire setup and see how much clearance there is to the inner rear wheel arch.

Which year MINI do you have?

Stock 16" wheels are 6.5" wide so switching to 17" will make it 7" already.

45 series sidewalls give a little better comfort while being good on handling. 40 series sidewall are stiff and tend to be bumpy on rough roads. 40 series tires are also faster wearing and more likely Summer tires.

What tires where you considering? Need All Season? If so Ultra High Performance All Season tires are OK for 17" size.

 

I would like to chime in here. I run a 17x7.5 wheel (+45 offset) with a 215/45-17 tire. My suspension has been lowered 1.4" (H&R) compared to your 1.2" (NM). When properly aligned, you should have zero problems running this combo. Even if you choose to go with a 17x7 wheel (+42 offset), you may still be okay with a 215/45-17 tire.

 

I appreciate the responses.

Creeve, I believe that you may think that 5mm is negligible, but I know that that could be the difference between rubbing and not.

Minihune, This setup is for an '08 S. I am not set on the tire I want yet, but will be an all season tire. Strongly considering the Conti DWS. Available in 205/45 and 215/45. But, again... not sold on anything yet. I have had good luck with the Conti's in the past. I'd have to look into a different tire for the 215/40 size.

I drive 80 miles a day, 70 of that interstate with some sections in disrepair. So, that is why I was interested in a bit more sidewall.

MinMin2010, Your setup looks good and gives me hope.

Thanks again for the insight!

 

Have you heard of a 17x7 et40 215/45/17 setup on an R56 causing rubbing problems?

Years ago I ran 215/50/16 on a 16x7 et40 which as far as fit goes is almost identical to running 215/45/17 on a 17x7 et40 on H&R springs and then later H&R coilovers. I never had an issue.

I probably wasn't being clear. I wasn't trying to say 5mm of offset never makes a difference. But 5mm of difference in the range you are talking about between 40 and 45 isn't going to make that crucial difference.

Also 215/40 has a shorter sidewall then both 205/45 and 215/45. If ride comfort is the main concern I don't see why that would be an option.

 

I've had my Mini all of 3 weeks now, and that's why I am seeking your advise. I have heard of rubbing issues with that size tire (215/45/17), but not certain what the wheel was that could have helped contribute to the issue or if it may have even been a 1st Gen Mini. I also know that a 215/45/17 can also vary among tire manufacturers. I'm really just trying to gather as much info as I can before I lay down a few car payments worth of cash on a set of wheels and tires. I hope you guys understand. New to Minis, but not new to modifying vehicles.

And yea... Ride comfort is a priority; that is why I am so interested in the 215/45/17 size.

Thanks again.

 

Your R56 MINI should have ample clearance even with lowering springs so I think 215/45-17 should be fine with a 17x7" wheel and about 40mm offset.

You didn't mention how much clearance you have with your 16" wheels, if there is quite a bit of gap then another choice which R56 owners have used is 205/50-17 which is about 0.4" taller than 215/45-17.

205/50-17 will give you a taller sidewall for comfort on bad roads and opens up some good tires for commuting in Ultra HP and Grand Touring All Season classes.

Although you have an S you are mostly commuting so a Grand Touring All Season is not a bad choice, good for treadwear, handles dry, wet or cold weather, Maximizes comfort and noise levels for street use. If you are not an overly aggressive driver then it may be a good choice for you.

If you are more aggressive when driving on the street when not commuting then the UHP All Season would be a better choice.

In UHP All season tires-
Bridestone Potenza RE970AS in 215/45-17
$142 each, 400 treadwear, 24 lbs
Continental ExtremeContact DWS (good on comfort)
$137 each, 540 treadwear, 20 lbs, $121 for 215/45-17 which is fine too.
Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=165
Kumho Ecsta 4X
$116 each 420 treadwear, 21 lbs, $106 for 215/45-17
Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=151
General G-Max AS-03
$115 each, 480 treadwear, 21 lbs

In Grand Touring All Season tires-
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus
$139 each, 600 treadwear, 25 lbs, on backorder
Also available in 225/45-17 $188 each, 500 treadwear, 22 lbs,in stock
Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=166
Continental PureContact with EcoPlus (New tire)
205/50-17 $137 each, 700 treadwear, 22 lbs
Kumo Ecsta LX Platinum (not as good in wet)
$121 each, 600 treadwear, 23 lbs
Tirerack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=112

I listed 225/45-17 as an alternate size since it is slightly less tall than 205/50-17 and in Grand Touring AS tires it still is comfortable enough.
225mm is wider than stock but on a 7" wide wheel it should be OK. If mounted on a wide wheel it would reduce clearance. This size may reduce mpg due to more rolling resistance.

You can also search for tires in 215/45-17 to compare.

 

So if i got coilovers and rims with the offset of 38 the 215/45/17 will rub?

 

Which year MINI do you have?
17x7" wheels?
Coilovers with how much drop?

Look at how much clearance you have with your suspension and current wheels and tires.

215/45-17 is taller and wider than any stock tires. This decreases clearance as does an offset of 38mm.

If you have an R56 MINI you may have more clearance to start with. If you have an R50 or R53 MINI you might have marginal clearance with a 215/45-17 tire and offset of 38mm but it may depend on width of the wheel. If 17x7" then you probably will be close but OK. If it does rub a little you can trim the rear inner plastic wheel arch with a dremmel tool or just rub a bit until most of the inner plastic has worn away.

 

i have a 2011 r56, 17x7 wheels, 38 offset, installing the coilovers on Wednesday and planning on going to a 1.4 drop. i currently have 225/45/17 which i know are to wide for the drop so i plan on installing new tires before i take my car in. i don't mind the 205 but if i can get away with a 215 and not have any rubbing issues id prefer to go that route since the 215 is almost $50 cheaper per tire. so with those specs will i be ok?

 

Given you have a new R56 and 17x7 wheel I think you will be fine with 215/45-17.

Coilovers can be ride height adjustable so if you find that you have too little clearance you can adjust it. Just find out if your coilovers are height adjustable.

 

Which after market 17 inch wheel is lightest and considered best for MINIs using 215/45/17 tires?

Tommy Thompson

 

In what price range?

 

There is no "best" 17" wheel for any MINI since the price varies with many factors.

215/45-17 is basically the same but larger than a stock 205/45-17 tire.

To save weight 17x7" is a good place to start.

Go to tirerack.com and put in the info on your car in upgrade garage.
Search for 17" wheels by weight and see if there is anything in your price range and with a design and finish you like.

For 17x7" a light wheel would be one about 13 lbs or less. Often they are forged alloy wheels and can easily run $300 each. Not all forged wheels are light, not all light wheels are forged.

 

Alright, ill cross my fingers, I appreciate the knowledge and help.

 

Update: So I got the pilot SS 215 installed today, handling and ride are amazing, and after some coupons found online I walked out the door only having to pay $550. Stoked.

 

Wait, I just picked up my Pilot Super Sports (same size as yours) today from Costco. I had to pay $650! Where'd you get yours?

 

America's tire, and that's mounted and balanced. They sell the tire for $164 than they price matched a couple of coupons that I had from Costco, 1 was the $70 off any set of Michelin tires and than I also had a 15% off coupon for any parts or service which I didn't think they would take but did, so I got a little lucky.

 

Ohh very nice. So is the road noise reduced enough for you to notice?

 

Road noise is non existent

 

Damn. I can't wait to mount mine.

 

You might consider the Ventus V12's from Hankook. They took 2nd place in Car and Driver's summer tire test a while back. http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests

And here's a quote from the test:

"Deceptively quick” is a good summation of the Hankook Ventus V12 Evos because they often didn’t feel as strong as they actually were, particularly in the dry. Their fourth-place autocross time wasn’t spectacular, but they did outlap the benchmark Michelin PS2s. Geswein said the Hankooks felt “somewhat soft” and “imprecise,” although they were forgiving, yielding consistent laps with no surprises. Despite that feeling of softness, the V12 Evos somehow managed a second-place skidpad run of 0.93 g and were above average in braking. Hankook just launched a new extreme-performance Ventus R-S3 model, which wasn’t available in time for this test but likely has sharper dry responses.
In the wet, however, the V12s were as sporty and connected as they come, with grip second only to the PS2s’ and the best braking. The Hankooks were extremely consistent, likely because they were so well-behaved, which made them easy to drive quickly. Subjectively, they felt the best around the track, even though their time trailed slightly behind the Dunlops’.
With above-average wet and dry performances, and tying for quietest on the street loop, the V12 Evo is an impressive and well-rounded summer tire. And, at $106, it’s a bargain, too."

 

I'm looking to get new tires for my 16 inch wheels. I have currently 195/55 R16 Dunlop run flats on the wheels. Wow I hate these tires. The ride is so rough. I want to go to a 215/55r16 tire. Would that be too wide for the wheel? I have no doubt it would fit but feel as though it would look too silly. Could I develop issues going to a 215?

I'm hoping to solve my rough ride problem and get a wider tire to smooth the ride and give it better traction under heavy acceleration.

Thoughts?

I really like the conti extreme contact dws tires