Hello, all -

A quick question here that I hope you can help me with. I've got an '05 MCS with sport package. It's a bitchin' little car, but it's still wearing its Dunlop runflats and needless to say, it's beating me to death. I just have to make a change somehow.

I see that some of you have opted for the Michlin Exalto A/S - which is a terrific tire; I've got them on another car.

But they're only in 205/50-17, not 205/45-17 - at least according to the guys at Tire Rack. So here's the question: Do any of you run this tire in this size? Does the tire fit without suspension or body contact?

My only other alterternative is to go to 16-inch tires and wheels, which I just might do.

Thanks in advance - Jon

 

Get 215/45/17's. They look great, ride and handle great with no rubbing and close up a little of that wheel gap!

 

A further benefit from going with 16 inch wheels and 205/50-16 Exalto A/S tires is that your ride harshness will dramatically improve. If you were to add a set of Koni FSDs, you would have a ride that rivals that of a lexus, yet have the handling of the MINI. If you were to go with SSR Comp wheels in the 16x7 inch size, you would lose enough rotational mass to equate to losing a fat phantom passenger, which will help your acceleration and braking.

 

The 05 is geared really low in 1st and 2nd, so going with 205/50-17s would be fine. I know someone who runs that size and loves them for street and track.

 

Michelin Exalto (high Performance All Season) don't come in 215/45-17

Most 17" sizes for the Exalto don't fit the MINI, closest would be 225/45-17 which is too tall at 25". You might be able to fit it but expect some rubbing in the back as it scrapes the rear upper inner plastic wheel well liners. You can trim them a little to reduce the rubbing.

If that doesn't sound good then you need to look at other tires.

In the stock size 205/45-17 there are some good Ultra high Performance summer tires. Or in UHP All Season tires in this size there is only Avon Tech M550 A/S (not bad) 360 treadwear

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S has bad sizes as well only 225/45-17

In ultra High Performance All Season tires (215/45-17)
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $153 400 treadwear
Yokohama ADVAN S.4. $171 400 treadwear
Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season $130 420 treadwear
or for value
Kumho Ecsta ASX $90 420 treadwear
Yokohama AVID W4S $95 400 treadwear
Sumitomo HTR+ $77 360 treadwear

 

Jon,

I have an o4 MCS with the Pilot Exalto PE2 which is a GREAT performing tire with VERY good wear. I have had them for over 25K and still a LOT left.

This tire can be special ordered from costco as well as other places (Tire Rack, America's Tire, etc. (Costco is $134 installed)

Mine are 205/45-17 and fit just as they are supposed to with no problems.. I think they are generally rated about the #2 ultra performance tire from what I have read.

I put about 150 miles a day on them and then play in the hills when I get a chance and I expect about 50k + before I have to change them.

Not the least expensive but WELL worth it in my opinion.

Jim

 

Guess I better take mine back then...Cause I'm running 215/45/17 Michelin Pilot Exalto's right now...

 

Where did you buy it? When?

Well that's great because tirerack.com has none to sell in that size which usually means they aren't going to be getting them in anytime soon or it would list the size and it would say long wait or back order.

Could that size be discontinued or in really short supply?
1010tires.com doesn't stock that size.

see
http://www.michelinman.com/tires/ult...specifications
There is no current listing for 215/45-17

Michelin Exalto A/S comes in:
205/50-17 fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide, 25.2" tire diameter
215/50-17 fits rims 6-7.5" wide, 25.5" tire diameter
225/45-17 fits rims 7-8.5" wide, 25" tire diameter
235/45-17 fits rims 7.5-9" wide, 25.4" tire diameter

Stock tire diameter is 24.3 to 24.4" so anything close to/over 25" is going to be tall and might rub in the rear. You'll have much less clearance and if you have a lowered suspension there won't be much else unless you have coilovers or really stiff springs. Speedo and odometer error also are present with tires over 25".

Look on the sidewall of the tire to check the manufacturer's date. It will be an oval on the sidewall on one side with four numbers like 4506 which means the 45th week of 2006 it was made.

 

Perhaps minimarks is running PE2 instead of A/S?

 

Why screw around? What you want is the Falken Azenis Rt615 in 215/45-17.

 

Yes, PE2 comes in both
205/45-17
and
215/45-17
Treadwear 240

Pilot Exalto A/S had treadwear of 400

 

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....speed_rating=Z

These might work for you and they are the correct size

 

Your right, they are PE2's...

 

PE2s are good and that solves the mystery. Now get out there and buy some tires if you need'em.