whats the best tire options for me?

1) I live in Texas, it snows once every 3 years and no one drives anyhow since they don't have salt for the roads <- i think i am leaning towards summer tires
2) I drive long distances to get on the water or ocean <- I'd prefer better MPG
3) I prefer comfort and lower noise
4) I do like better handling but I am never going to race or drive in a way that my MPG don't stay decent
5) I have the stock 16inch wheel runflats, but I am ok purchasing non runflats and using my towing service

 

You've left out the vital detail of which Clubman you have.

If you have stock 16" wheels that sounds like an S model, in which case you can't fit 15" wheels as they won't fit over the front brakes.

If you have a justa Cooper, then 15" wheels are nice - they give 1-2mpg better, they improve the peppy-ness from low speed and they ride nicely, though I didn't find swapping from 15" non-runflats to 16" non-runflats made much difference to comfort, even if it did produce a lot more cornering grip.

 

Since you have stock 16" wheels you likely have runflats. If you don't drive far you may do OK with calling AAA if you have a flat or you can have a compact spare tire in the boot for long trips.

Way motor works sells a compact spare for the MINI.

Usually the stock 195/55-16 tire size will give you a less wide tread for a little better mpg without giving up much in handling.

Even though there is not much snow, summer tires will not do well if the temperatures drop into the 30s. It's usually better to have All Season tires on and not have to consider weather much. Also All Season tires will give you more treadlife.

So a good place to start looking would be Ultra High Performance All Season class tires like:

Kumho Ecsta 4X
195/55-16 $86 each, 420 treadwear, 19 lbs
General G-Max AS-03
195/55-16 $95 each, 480 treadwear, 18 lbs
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
205/50-16 $116 each, 540 treadwear, 19 lbs, 24.1" tire diameter
Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS
205/55-16 $117 each, 400 treadwear, 23 lbs, a little taller tire diameter of 24.9" but will fit OK.

Tirerack owner survey results for UHPAS tires-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...jsp?type=UHPAS

If you are budget minded then look at the Kumho and General tires, slight edge in handling and performance in the dry to the 4X.

Overall for comfort in street driving the Continental DWS is a good choice and the 205/50-16 will fit and work fine plus have a longer treadlife.

For better handling in all weather the BS RE970AS is good but is tall in 205/55-16 although taller sidewall adds to comfort. Not good choice if suspension is lowered, and tire does weigh more.

 

I had Michelin Pilot Exalto AS tires mounted on my 16" wheels...great ride over the past 8K miles.