hi, i would like to upgrade my tires, is any issue with the 215?(Pics)

Any recomendation on tires, all season or semi slicks??

Best regards

 

Lots of people running this size. We have a '09 JCW. Have used Blizzaks in this size since the car was new (drove new car home from dealer in snow on them :-O ). At that time there wasn't a Blizzak in the stock size. Couple weeks ago purchased the Michelin Super Sports in this size as they were about $40 cheaper per tire than the 205 size. These replaced the stock runflats --- oh what a difference --- love them :-)

Anyways, no issues with either tire rubbing wise. The 205 width is probably a more ideal fit on the stock (7" width) wheels, the 215s end up with a bit of a rounded shoulder. However, it is hard to beat more rubber for cornering grip.

For any give tire, I'd suggest the following is likely to be true:

205s
lower weight
stock height
sharper steering response

215s
higher weight
slight taller effective gearing --- lower in gear acceleration (mitigated a bit by carrying a given gear longer)
more rolling and aero resistance
softer feel
less turn-in response
more grip at limit

If our JCW was clean, I'd post a pick of it on the super sports, looks pretty sweat if you are into tires ;-)

 

Just swapped my Conti RFs for Bridgestone RE970s (in the 215/45/17 configuration) today.
Besides the obvious benefit of a vastly improved ride (the reason I switched tires), the slightly larger tire actually makes the (optimistic) speedometer more accurate.
Losing run flats is well worth doing, even if you don't go up a tire size when you do it.

 

I'm having some Bridgestone RE-11A tires in that size put on next week. This are our track tires, I'm going up a size as the stock size was awkwardly geared for the tracks we run on. A slightly higher gear ratio may help. (And the RE-11A aren't yet made in the stock size).

 

Also had 215/45R17 on my last Mini with no problems. The 205 width is not stocked by anyone in my area.

 

When you say "vastly improved ride" are you describing a more "plush ride" opposed to "hard ride," or less "road noise?" Or both?

Thx,

 

I'm running Super Sports on my GP2 in that size and love them, but I love meaty tires.

 

The combination of suspension and (short) wheelbase on your MINI means a "plush ride" is pretty much out of the picture.

Swapping the rigid sidewalls of run flats for conventional tires will take some of the discomfort out of beat-up roads (potholes, etc.).

Going up a size to 215/45 means the sidewall is just a tiny bit taller, too, adding a little more cushion. It's a nice change...car's still a MINI, though.

 

Same tires on my car. These are a great tire and not really that expensive in 215/45/17. Well worth the few extra $.

 

running the Conti's DWS in this size for almost 2 yrs. Love them, no problems.

 

Also running 215 super sports on my JCW - fantastic!

 

235/40/17 with 7.5 rim Sumitumo . Love this rubber.
ISAMIN

 

I am running 215/45-R17 Michelin PS3 with VR TE37 wheels. The only draw back with the VR is that you can't lower too much as it extend out compare to stock.

 

I previously had the 215/45/17's Sumitomo's (the older non-run flat summer tires they used to make) on my last MINI. I really liked the ride. Handling was comparable to the non-run flat BF Goodrich tires I'm currently on. The 215's cornered well but I did notice some more tendency to tramline. That very well could've just been the tire and not the sizing though.