Hey guys,
I just got back from installing new tires on my new MCS. I wanted the RE960's AS but there is 14 week back log on these tires.

I ended up taking the Michelins Pilot Exalto A/S in 205/50/17. Night and day difference from the run flats but I am feeling a little resistance from a stop. It feels almost like the car does not accelerate smoothly, the ties are lighters at 21 lbs so don't know what it is....

Could it be that I am not used to them or should I change to a 215/45/17?

Thanks, I need to call discount tire back this afternoon and order the new one if I have to....

 

It won't 'kill' acceleration, though at 3.3% it's just slightly over the recommended 2% variance from stock. The 215/45 is 1.5% smaller.

 

Well, is the difference in height what I am felling when I accelarate?

 

Yes, it effectively changes your final drive ratio. Whether you can feel the effects of the 3.3% difference, that would depend on the calibration of your particular butt dyno.

 

I'm exchanging thee tires and going with the 215/45/17 Yokohama's something I should have done to begin.... oh well. I should have stuck with this forum's opinion's and not the guy at the store...

On a positive note, what a difference in ride quality from the RF's. Simply amazing !

 

Which Yokohama tires?

When replacing stock runflats your normal tire size options are-

Stock sized 205/45-17
Slightly smaller than stock 215/40-17 23.8" tire diam
Slightly taller than stock 215/45-17 24.6" tire diam

Much taller than stock 225/45-17 24.9" tire diam
And even taller than stock 205/50-17

As a result, I don't really list 205/50-17 as a good tire size to start looking at. At 25.1" it's much taller than stock 24.4" and can make a big difference.
For a newer MINI it's not too bad using a manual transmission but for an older 2002-2004 MCS with manual transmission a smaller than stock sized tire makes more sense and feels more lively on acceleration. Tire weight and rim weights are factors as well.

 

Yokohamas Advan S.4.....based on your description above; I chose the tallest option. I won't take any merrits away from the tire itself, it is very quite and smooth but to me there is a significant difference when accelerating. I have the stock web spoke wheels, and weird as it may sound; this tire size takes away from the leap the MCS takes from a stop.

The yokos will be in Friday so we'll do the swap then.
Lesson learned, go with your first instinct first...

Hopefully the Yokos will be as smooth riding as these michellins...