Any rubbing?

Thinking of getting this size for Continental DWS's. It's only 1.4% off the stock size (225/45/18) Thanks for the info.

 

i also would like to know what other size tires 18inchers are using. i think the 18 inch wheel needs beefer rubber, which should fill up more of the fender well and keep me or my wife from getting into the rim if we clip a curb.

 

I just installed some Michelin Pilot Super Sport, i have the 18" turbofans i got 225/50/18 instead of the stock 225/45/18. I was set on the Contis DW in 235/45/18 but found the Michelins for $123 per tire!. I don't think the 235's fit without rubbing, the Michelins are a little wider than the stock tires and there are 2mm (aprox.) of room to spare for it to start rubbing in the back and like 5mm for it to rub against the shock on the front... I'll take pictures of it if you want but i cant remember how to post them, if someone gives me some quick directions I'll do it!

 

Wow, 225-50 is almost a full inch taller than 225-45. How do they drive?

 

I'd imagine acceleration and economy take a hammering with 225-50's.

 

The economy should go up, but the registered mileage would go down. The 225-50's would travel farther with every revolution, so mileage would go up. Acceleration would definately take a hit for the same reason. I would think the ride would be significantly improved.

Mark

 

I would have thought the economy would decrease since the engine would have to work harder for any given speed. I know a Cooper D on 17's is more economical then mine on 18's.

 

The 17's are more economical because of the reduced contact patch. Less friction with the ground, but also less road holding ability. That is also why increasing tire pressure results in higher MPG. Larger diameter due to less sidewall deflection at the street, and less contact patch. Normally, larger diameter wheels, with the same width, lead to lower acceleration, but lower engine RPM's for a given speed.

 

Yes they are an inch taller than my stock Bridgestones but they don't look that much bigger. Ride quality and road noise have improved a lot even though my run-flats had only 750 miles before I swapped them so people with more miles on the stockrun-flats should notice more of a difference. the best thing is grip! these Michelin Super Sport really live up to all the hype, today I was "testing" the new tires and understeer is almost gone (there's still some but you have to push the car far far more than before). Potholes and bumps while accelerating are not an issue anymore. I'm going to take some pics now of both my Countryman so that you can see the difference.

 

Acceleration seems just as fast as before (It might be slower but my butt-dyno doesn't feel the difference), and economy seems a little better (I have just 250 miles on the new tires but according to the OBC I'm getting 1-1.5 mpg more)

 

Here are the pics I promised.

These are the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport


These are the stock Goodyear EfficientGrip Run-flat


Here I'm trying to show the space between the front tire and the front strut (+/- 5mm)


This is an attempt of showing the space between the tire and the body of the car in the back (I'm lying under the driver side exhaust tip with the camera pointing up)


Both cars side-by-side. Stock (left) <----------> New (right)


New Michelin 225/50/18, same width as stock but they run a little wider


Stock Goodyear Run-Flat 225/45/18


Another side-by-side


While getting the tires installed I was under the car checking for any rubbing issues, there's not much space left, I don't think you can fit 235's without rubbing especially at the back. Let me know if you guys want more pics.

 

awsome pics, that is what im talking about, more rubber. those are perfect!!!!! great comparison pics two!!!! fills up the fender more and will save the rims in case of a curb accident. perfect

 

Thanks for posting those pics

 

Gotta say they look a little odd, but I guess you'd get used to that pretty quickly. Mine has Pirelli run flats, they don't do nasty things to the ride like the dealers demo which had Bridgestones on it. It was the same with my 3 series, it came on Bridgestones, when they wore out I replaced them with Continental run flats, which were a nicer more compliant tyre.

 

hey coopers111 are you still enjoying the larger tires? can you post a picture of the whole car with the wheels turned. im guessing you are not having any rubbing issues? i will be getting 50 series tires next if there are no issues.

 

woah! amazing. Would the 50 series be compatible with the lowering spring kit? will there be any rubbings?

 

Your speedo must be quite a bit off...

Actually with more calculation I would assume this change to eliminate the factory over estimation for speed making the speed displayed in the speedo almost the exact speed you are traveling.

Rough numbers show that the speedo would show 3.4% slower than actual. This is close to the manufaturers over correction. Making it close to a wash!

 

You are right, no rubbing issues of any kind. What do you mean by "with the wheels turned". Just a whole car pic with the wheels turned to either side? Or a closeup of the front wheels turned? I don't have a problem taking pics for you but I don't quite get what you want.

 

Newdl, the speedo is now spot on with my gps (iPhone, TomTom) and the police speed traps that show your speed.

 

i wanted to see a overall picture of the countryman with the taller tires. after looking closer at your original pics i see the tire is allready turned some. that is why its so close the the fender in the front. the last thing i want is to rub a hole in my fender liner. im guessing the ride is smoother than with the runflats.

 

countryman-s, I have not been able to take pics since it has been raining here for the last 3 days... I promise that as soon as this rain stops I'll take pics and post them. The ride is smoother than with the runflats, but, is not as smooth as I thought it would be but I guess its due to the fact that the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a "Max Performance Summer" tire. I'm sure that with All-season tires the ride will be smoother still. If i where to do it again I will choose the Continental DW as Conti's are know to have softer sidewalls and I feel that these Michelins are somewhat of an overkill for me, as much as I love the grip (addicting) and the steering feel on these tires I think I would enjoy a quieter tire more on a daily basis.

 

Guys as promised, although late here are the pics.

Overall


Fully turned to the right (1.5 inches from tire to fender liner)


Fully turned to the left (1 inch from tire to fender liner)


countryman-s, I have no rubbing issues so you won't be rubbing a hole in your fender liners if you go with 50 series tires.

 

great pictures!! the countryman looks better with the 50 series tires. allthough the difference is not huge, it does fill up the fenders more and makes the car look more beefy.

 

So where did u find your tires so cheap?

 

Nice I like it ,
I have a new cm all 4 white body black roof sunroof
Tech , nav polar beige gravity , bun warmer, sport button media adapter

If it's possible to get a smoother ride without run flats
Game on can't wait
What dealership will change your tires
Cosco, American tire, who did yours , I'm in southern ca
Thanks for any tips