17" Tire sizes that fit Minis
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#9
Hi Chaswyck, I am looking and trying to figure out which size of Non RF tire to go to. I also have 17 wheels (Black bullets). I am thinking about the Nitto INVO tire at 225 45 17 and the ContinentalContactExtreme DWS tire at 205 45 17. Just in case, if you have an opinion on these, I'd be interested.
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Hi Chaswyck, I am looking and trying to figure out which size of Non RF tire to go to. I also have 17 wheels (Black bullets). I am thinking about the Nitto INVO tire at 225 45 17 and the ContinentalContactExtreme DWS tire at 205 45 17. Just in case, if you have an opinion on these, I'd be interested.
Last edited by chaswyck; 11-11-2011 at 05:52 AM.
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Ok, obviously this is not my area of expertise so I can use some help. Why would I want one size over another. I don't intend to lower the car so I assume the 45's would do a better job of closing the fender gap that 35's or 40's right? How about the 205's versus 215's versus the 225's? It seems like the wider 225's might result in more road stuff being thrown up on the side of the car than the other two narrower tires. What about performance and ride characteristics of the various sizes? I' sure all this exists somewhere on here so I apologize in advance for these pretty basic questions.
#15
But a wheel that is stock and non JCW will take any of the listed tires. But I must warn you that as you deviate from the stock size it will change the way the car handles and you may or may not like it.
Personally I went to 215's from 205 on 17 inch wheels on my R56 and I did not like the way the car handled. It wasn't as crisp as the stock size. I have since put those tires on my new Coupe and the car feels fine. So I guess it really depends on the car and the set up I guess.
Anyway that's what my experience tells me.
#16
Wondering where they could be sourced.
As for PatM’s comment that 215’s resulted in less desirable handling than the OEM 205’s, wondering whether or not this is more a function of sidewall stiffness as opposed to tread width.
Were the two sizes the same brand/model?
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There's a couple to be found (at the time of this writing):
* Yokohama S-Drives
* Falken FK-452
Another size to add to the list would be a 235/40-R17; several availabe in that size as well.
- Erik
* Yokohama S-Drives
* Falken FK-452
Another size to add to the list would be a 235/40-R17; several availabe in that size as well.
- Erik
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FYI, looking at thread here, I noticed that one person did report having "rubbing" issues with a stock wheel/suspension setup running the 225-45-17 tire size. I don't want that issue. Plus, as I said, TireVan in Northern VA won't even put them on because it's too far from OEM spec. So now, I am thinking I would like slightly more traction and same or slightly greater wheel height. Thus, I am looking for 215-45 tires and the Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires seem to be the tested favorite.
Has anyone noticed difference in speedometer accuracy running 215-45-17 tires?
I was just on TireRack and had to select custom size so that it wouldn't default to the 205-45-17 size. Jorn, your looking at 225 tires...had you run on these "shoes" before? I thought it might cause rubbing inside the wheel well of a stock suspension setup. I like the idea of more tire on the road. I've read that the wider tire might decrease cornering responsiveness...but I don't know from experience. Your thoughts?
Has anyone noticed difference in speedometer accuracy running 215-45-17 tires?
I was just on TireRack and had to select custom size so that it wouldn't default to the 205-45-17 size. Jorn, your looking at 225 tires...had you run on these "shoes" before? I thought it might cause rubbing inside the wheel well of a stock suspension setup. I like the idea of more tire on the road. I've read that the wider tire might decrease cornering responsiveness...but I don't know from experience. Your thoughts?
Last edited by Derepente; 11-12-2011 at 08:57 AM.
#21
I just had them put on about a week ago (215/45 Conti's) but haven't speed tested it yet.
I will say there is a BIG difference compared to what was taken off (205/45 Faulken something or others)
Handling in comparison got much worse. Feels like I'm going to roll the car when taking a tight turn or swerve. Someone mentioned about a 'break in period' for the tires on another thread and I'm hoping that's all it is.
Ride is much better. Don't feel nearly the bumps that I used to on the stiffer tires. With the +1 size and deeper tread it softened it up quite a bit.
I don't track it but there is plenty of opportunity around here to drive it like I stole it. I was really hoping to not sacrifice so much handling for the ride quality.
I will say there is a BIG difference compared to what was taken off (205/45 Faulken something or others)
Handling in comparison got much worse. Feels like I'm going to roll the car when taking a tight turn or swerve. Someone mentioned about a 'break in period' for the tires on another thread and I'm hoping that's all it is.
Ride is much better. Don't feel nearly the bumps that I used to on the stiffer tires. With the +1 size and deeper tread it softened it up quite a bit.
I don't track it but there is plenty of opportunity around here to drive it like I stole it. I was really hoping to not sacrifice so much handling for the ride quality.
#22
I just had them put on about a week ago (215/45 Conti's) but haven't speed tested it yet.
I will say there is a BIG difference compared to what was taken off (205/45 Faulken something or others)
Handling in comparison got much worse. Feels like I'm going to roll the car when taking a tight turn or swerve. Someone mentioned about a 'break in period' for the tires on another thread and I'm hoping that's all it is.
Ride is much better. Don't feel nearly the bumps that I used to on the stiffer tires. With the +1 size and deeper tread it softened it up quite a bit.
I don't track it but there is plenty of opportunity around here to drive it like I stole it. I was really hoping to not sacrifice so much handling for the ride quality.
I will say there is a BIG difference compared to what was taken off (205/45 Faulken something or others)
Handling in comparison got much worse. Feels like I'm going to roll the car when taking a tight turn or swerve. Someone mentioned about a 'break in period' for the tires on another thread and I'm hoping that's all it is.
Ride is much better. Don't feel nearly the bumps that I used to on the stiffer tires. With the +1 size and deeper tread it softened it up quite a bit.
I don't track it but there is plenty of opportunity around here to drive it like I stole it. I was really hoping to not sacrifice so much handling for the ride quality.
#23
I didn't see a single review on tirerack or other sites that mentioned that much of a performance loss. I hope it's a break in issue too because I just ordered the 215/45/17 Conti DWS's yesterday from tirerack. How aggressively were you driving when you felt like you were going to roll?
I didn't think very aggressive. Roll might be an excessive term on my part but it is a big difference comparison to what I was used to. Have found that I can't take usual turns as tight or as fast as I used to. Had a scare when I came up and over a little hill and found a driver coming in the other direction over the line into my lane. Did a swerve and didn't have near the control I think I would have had before. Didn't end up in a corn field but it wasn't a reassuring feeling. Did I mention the ride was much better? I'm not knowledgeable enough on the subject to narrow down if the big difference came from tire type or tire size or both (my guess). I just need to learn to slow down I guess....or not.
#24
I can say I have had good reviews of the DWS from people as I have sold many to Audi, BMW owners over the last couple of years I have had a few people say they felt soft in the sides when running more aggressive with corning. The other problem i find with the DWS is Conti's issues with keeping inventory up with them other than that all around good multi season tire. I just picked up a 2006 Cabrio S w/JCW kit and it has 205/45/17 Conti SSR run flats now I'm going to ditch those and go with a set of General Exclaim UHP in 205/40/17 I have kicking around my store. Biggest reason being I can put them on my car for like $220 so can't complain about that.
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