I'm not quite sure what the load rating is supposed to be on the MCS...but how important is it? What exactly does it dictate? Also, is a rating of 83W ok? Thanks for the help.

 

Very important. Your manual should tell you exactly the minimum.

See http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...currentpage=38

83W is 1074 lbs/wheel. OEM is 84V.

 

Your MINI is designed with a certain weight that needs to be distributed on all four tires and have enough capacity for up to four people and their goods.

When you use tires that are below the 84 load rating we normally look for then you risk problems with safety and performance so for street use it is not recommended and if your MINI is under warranty, it could lead to problems.

If you are using your MINI under different conditions where you might be driving alone on the track with all excess weight removed or have a lighter than stock MINI then sometimes you can consider using tires that are load rated less than 84 but not much less.

Many of the tires that used to be 205/40-17 were rated too low to be usable by MINIs but lately I have noticed quite a few are now rated about 84.

Many of the tires wider or larger than stock have load ratings higher than 84 usually from 87 to 91. These are fine.

Load ratings are especially important for any car where you need more carrying capacity such as for a truck, SUV, or minivan. Then never go below the stock tire load rating.

 

if you're only carrying yourself and your GF, i doubt it matters that much.

as minihuni mentioned, when you load up the car with heavy passengers
(you can define 'heavy'...lol) and cargo you need to keep a close eye
on the load rating and tire pressure...

 

... but the 18" OEM tires are only rated 82.

 

Yes, good point the stock runflat in 205/40-18 is load rated at 82 (1047 bls) vs 84 (1102 lbs) for other stock tires.

It's got little reserve at 82 load rating so don't go overboard with loading it up. You also might notice worse handling with higher loads more quickly using stock 18" wheels and tires of this load rating.

When I drive my other small sedan, when empty it handles very well but loaded up it doesn't handle well at all. In my MINI even loaded up it still handles OK, not horrible. Definitely it's got less reserve.

Probably another reason when in HPDE you drive alone or with one passenger/instructor, not with four people.

Also from my other post I mentioned that under certain conditions with fairly light loads you can run tires that are lower load rated but you have to be careful. As tires heat up they loose the ability to handle load, you always want a bit of reserve.

In this same size the non runflat 205/40-18 has a load rating of about 86.
Runflats in 205/45-17 had load ratings of 84.

 

a higher load rating will generally have a stiffer sidewall. If given a choice and you want a bit better turn-in, go for the XL version. There used to be two versions of the Goodyear F1 GSD3...one had a lower rating and was considered too soft for some people. Obviously, be sure to match the minimum rating for the car.

 

Well goodness...I got these Kumho SPT's because they were one of the 215-40's that had the highest load rating (87). As you and I know......their sidewalls are anything BUT stiff!! Oh and they are the XL version I believe, good turn in....hah I think not.

Grrrr, can't wait to get different tires.

 

ahhh....true! I meant when there's a choice of the same model tire (as in the F1's), not comparing different tires