I'm ran 205/50/15 Yokohama ES100's last summer on my Kosei K1 TS's. The tires were o.k., but need to be replaced in the spring. I have enjoyed the added torque with the undersized tires (almost 5% undersized from stock).

I'd like to go wider, but the next common size is 225/50/15, and then I'm only undersized by 1.5% (plus heavier tires). Toyo makes their T1S in a 215/45/15. But that takes the undersizing the other way, up to almost 8%.

Any advice (or better yet, first hand experience) with running 215/45/15?

Any comments on the T1S in general? I've seen some comments about the sidewalls being on the soft side, which may explain the low tire weight.

If I stick with the 205/50/15 or 225/50/15, then I'll probably stick with Bridgestone RE750 or BFG KDW, both of which I have had good experiences with, good tire wear, and not outrageously priced.

Advice? Thanks,
MiniFox2

 

How did you like the Yokohama AVS ES100s?
Your Kosei K1 TS are 15x7" rims?
What is your suspension?
Do you have MCS or MC?
Are you doing only street driving? Or any track/autocross?

215/45-15 is not a common size but will fit 15x7" rims
Toyo T1S is an old model and hard to find. Toyo T1R replaces it in the same size
http://www.edgeracing.com/tire/1756/ ($87 each)

205/50-15 is a versatile size with good tire selection.
225/50-15 is larger outer tire diameter so you'd loose the lower gearing advantage but it's closer to stock size so your spedo will be more accurate but still not quite stock.

What makes you think you need tires that are wider than 205/50-15?
If I were considering good street tires and didn't mind smaller tires for cheap then I'd look at- Goodyear F1 GS-D3 in 195/50-15
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/Spec.jsp&make=Goodyear&model=Eagle+F1+GS-D3&tirePageLocQty=
$91 each, 22.7" outer tire diameter 19 pounds 280 treadwear AA traction
V speed rated , **82 load rating** which is lower than stock! Good for just you in the car, maybe one other person.

For a review of various tires see
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/images/tires/tests/CandD_gy_f1_gs_d3/CandD_gy_f1_gs_ds.pdf
Car and Driver did a head to head comparison of 11 common tires.
The Toyo T1R didn't do that well.

 

Thanks for the feedback, Minihune. The Yokohama's were better than I was expecting. They came with the wheels (bought the wheels used) and were pretty much worn out when I got them. I was pleased enough with them, but I felt that the the RE750's and KDW's both had better grip, especially in the wet. But my comparison isnt' 1:1 - the Bridgestones and KDW's were both on a previous car (not a Mini).

Yes, the wheels are 7" wide. Cooper S, stock suspension. I've done some track schools, but not with the Mini (yet). These are for the street, though if I do any more schools I will use the same setup.

My mistake on the T1R vs. T1S. It's the R that I had in mind. It's pretty much the only high performance 215 tire I have been able to find. I saw that article in Car and Driver. Indeed, they weren't too keen on the Toyo, but then if I recall correctly, the Toyo was up against a lot of ultra high performance tires (treadwear numbers in the 200 range). My budget forces me to stick with tires with treadwears closer to 300.

Your question about why >205 is a good one. I guess I come from the school where a wider tire (wider contact patch) is better for grip. Though clearly a good 205 will outperform a lousy 225. I'm guessing from your question that you might feel differently. I'm all ears!

Thanks again, MiniFox2

 

There IS more to tires than their size.

Tread design, rubber compound, casing design and more are all factors as well as your own driving style.

For street use you are trying to balance many factors from performance in the dry and wet to comfort and reduced road noise. All for a good price.
Tires with lower tread wear numbers don't have to wear fast. It can depend alot on your driving skills and road conditions.

The Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is quite a tire and offers much no matter what size. At sizes greater than 205mm width the MINI is about at it's fitment limit. 215mm tires will do while 225mm tires require certain wheel offsets to avoid rubbing- depends on rim diameter.

Remember that as you increase width you also increase tire and rim weight and rolling resistance. Not a problem if you have lots of power but in a MINI I like less weight for wheels when possible.

 

So if I'm reading between the lines properly, you're suggesting that the Goodyear in 195 will out perform the other tire choices I have been looking at in 205?

I have to say, now that I see how few high performance tires are offered in 15", I'm wondering if I should have gone with 16" (e.g. Slipstreams).

Thanks again for the feedback,
MiniFox2

 

Using your MCS with Kosei 15x7 rims, the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 is quite good. Tire size of 205/55-15 would have been ideal for balance of fit, performance and comfort for general street use but it's not available.

Comparing the GS-D3 with
Toyo T1R
BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW2 (KDW doesn't come in 15" sizes)
Potenza RE750

I like the Goodyear GS-D3 better than the other listed tires, even in the 195/50-15 size mostly because it's going on the 15x7" rim. It would be different if you were using a stock 15x5.5" rim.

The GS-D3 is not perfect and does have some weaknesses. It's good overall and really good in the wet.

Try giving Alex@tirerack.com a call and ask him for his opinion.
If not the GS-D3, I like the KDW2 next in 225/50-15 for street use.