If my Mini has the stock 175/65/15 tires with what is listed as a 5.5 rim, what is the max width 15 rim I could used with those tires? I want to go black but I'm not finding a lot in the 5.5 size.

 

I'm running 205-50-15 tires on my stock 15" rims with no problems whatsoever.

 

Actually what I'm looking for is the opposite, what rims to use with the stock tires! But the 205-50-15 info is good to know for down the road.

 

Most of the 175/65-15 tires listed by Tire Rack have a Rim Width Range of 5-6".

Why do you want to stay with this size?

 

Well pretty much because I'll have the tires! With money spent etc. I'm trying to figure out the most bang for the buck. I"m thinking that maybe the stock rims could be powder coated and used for snow tires. In general I don't mind the 15" size really but if I had a choice they'd be wider.

 

I'll bet your choices in 15x6 will be limited.

 

That's what I'm discovering. I did find these at 6.5 which is why I asked about max sizes.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...-100&tc=KONFEA

 

You are doing the opposite of what most owners do.

You are keeping your tires and upgrading rims using stock tires.

Given that the stock tire size is not one you want to keep your best plan could be-

Keep the stock tires on the stock wheels and just use them up.
When ready purchase aftermarket 15x7 rims with non runflat tires probably 205/55-15 makes the most sense but other less wide sizes can be an option.

205/55-15 will work with your MINI whether MC or MCS and will offer many very good street tires that are comfortable for daily use and offer decent performance and wear for a good price.

You can't really find much in 15x6. Most will be about 15x7 or even wider sometimes.

175/65-15 is just the size that MINI put on the stock wheel as a minimal tire. There is little to write home about. Being narrow it's good on rolling resistance and cuts through snow OK. Other than that it's easily surpassed by doing a little shopping.

There is nothing wrong with the stock MINI 15" rim. Some are light in weight and you can still mount wider tires on them that will work for the street including 205/55-15.

Naturally we hate to waste so using up your stock tires is a good thing. Don't delay, new wider tires are much much better and worth the upgrade when you are ready.

 

What you're saying makes sense. I was trying to figure out an economical and fast way to get black rims on the car quickly and not waste tires. But things aren't falling into place. You're tight about the rims, I can't find anything under 6.5.
My only other thought is to wait until winter and see if I snow tires are needed. I like the look of black steelies (with a Mini hub) to use with snows. And if they were on the car, I could have the stock rims powder coated.
I guess I'll use what I have now and just see how things play out with rims and wider tires later.

Thanks.

 

Powercoat the stock 15" wheels black flat or gloss finish.
Leave the lip silver if it can be done.

Now you have black wheels.

Yes the stock 15" wheels make for good snow wheels.

The reason for limited 15" wheels in narrow sizes is there is

NO Demand for narrow and small diameter! Horrible.

Everyone wants big bigger biggest! 22" and larger. Dumb and Dumber.