OK, so I bought my Mini with the pitiful 15" wheels and Pirelli P6000 tires. It was hell going from my Ti's Conti SportContacts to those things.

Problem was that I didn't want to pop for new wheels (nor did I want to get rid of the originals). Took me a long time to figure out what to do and only getting a drywall screw in one of the Pirellis motivated me to action.

A buddy of mine told me about the Sumitomo HTR 200. He uses them on his Miatas and swears by them. Best yet, they are nearly free: A set of 195/60-15s were like $220 shipped from TireRack.

I didn't want to go out to 205/55s as the width is already at the limit for the rims with the 195s. The diameter is a scant .2 over stock. They are "only" H rated for speed. When was the last time you ran at over 130 MPH (sustained) in your Mini??

Anyway, I am quite pleased with the tires. They handle and stick WAY better than the stock tires and ride better, too. They are quieter as well.

Yes, these are summer tires but, hey, I live in Los Angeles for a reason. If any of you find yourself in the same situation you might consider this solution.

 

But duuuuuude...everyone knows Z rated tires are better! Like 650^ boiling point brake fluid!

A rash of common sense coming over one sometimes prevails.

 

Man, you're right. I need some of that 650 deg boiling point brake fluid, and I mean NOW, especially with all of the sustained 130 MPH that I'll be doing on my new H rated tires.

Spirited driving and all, don't you know...

 

I'd be interested to see what the 195/60 size looks like on your car. I need to get all seasons to replace the summers that came with mine and I'm thinking of getting that size. Can you post a shot?

 

I'll post one tomorrow. Doesn't look all that different from the side but a significantly wider look from the rear. Those 175/65s are pretty tiny.

The 195s looks better on the wheels and the car and they handle much better. Night and day, to be honest...

 

Thanks.

 

Here you go.

 

Hey thanks. And on a PW too! The extra rubber does make a difference. If you have a chance to shoot one straight from the side that would be great. I just want to compare the larger tires to what I have now. If not, that's cool. I appreciate the one you already shot.

 

Didn't notice that you had an 07.

Don't they get slighly bigger/better tires than the 06 models??

 

Mine are 175/65/15 Dunlop Sport 01's.

 

You should be able to get 205/50's on the rims. I have on my 15" holies. The exra bit helps a lot over the 175/65

 

I actually want the little bit of extra height of the sidewalls that the 195's would give. I think they would fill in the wheelwell a little better and make for maybe a smoother ride.

 

Just curious how is the comfort (ride) on the new tires?

 

Those were my thoughts as well. The sidewall height is just a tad (.1") more than the 175s and the ride is improved. They look much more proportional to the wheels which used to look too big for the tires.

205s will drop the sidwall height a bit and I just didn't want to go that wide on the stock 5.5" wheels.

What motivated the whole thing was how lousy (rode badly, handled badly) the stock tires are and then getting a drywall screw in one of them. I was not gonna replace one bad tire with a new bad tire so this was my solution.

Gid rid of them all!

 

As far as 15" tires go- (need about 84 load rating)
175/65-15 fits rims 5-6" wide, perfect fit for 5" rim, 24 to 24.4" tire diam.
185/65-15 fits rims 5-6.5" wide, perfect fit for 5.5" rim, 24.5" tire diam.
195/60-15 fits rims 5.5-7" wide, perfect fit for 6" rim, 24.2" tire diam.
205/50-15 fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide, perfect fit for 6.5" rim, 23.1" tire diam.
205/55-15 fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide, perfect fit for 6.5" rim, 23.9" tire diam.

So if using an OEM 15x5.5" rim you can use ANY of these sized tires but the 205/50-15 is much smaller than stock size so speedo and odometer error will be a consideration and the wheel gap is increased unless you have lowered you MINI a lot!

True the 205mm wide tires are at their fitment limit using the narrow 5.5" rim but it is workable and in fact you can use the 205/55-15 tire on the street for daily use. Tire selection variety is also helped depending on which size you choose.

H speed rated is OK for street use, not really the best choice for autocross or track use. Look for W, Y, or V speed rated but those are not really needed for general commuting.

 

As always Minihune, your advice is very much appreciated.

From one of your many posts I've read you seem to mention the Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS Pole Position a lot for the 195/60/15 size. Do you still feel that tire holds up well for price/performance etc.?

 

For 195/60-15
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $75 each 400 treadwear 21 lbs H speed rated

Kumho Ecsta ASX $46 each 420 treadwear 19 lbs V speed rated

RE960AS for that price is quite good and hard to beat except if you are after value/or on a tight budget, then then in that size the Kumho ASX is attractive.

 

Thanks in advance. I plan to get the 195/60-15 Bridgestones. First I plan to wear down my 175/65-15 stock tires practicing my handbrake turns.

Does anyone know how does noise and comfort compare? This is my one and only "family car" unfortunately.

 

I think you should be fine using the Bridgestone RE960AS.

Ride noise and comfort is good compared to OEM Continental tires (not horrible either).

 

Thanks again, minihune. I'm going to get the Bridgestones in the spring.