I have searched and only found vague answers to my question.

With the stock tire size being a 205 45 R17, will a 205 50 R17 tire fit comfortably on a stock s-lite wheel at stock ride height?

This is on an '06 R53 MCS stock suspension.

I am aware that the tire is half an inch larger sidewall than stock however I have looked under the car, turned the wheels side to side and checked clearances and there should be plenty of room.

Everything I have read says that it will not work however nothing has stated why or where. Other than the obvious answer of it will rub (if it will) where will it rub, when and how badly?

I have seen multiple people list that they have installed 225 45 R17s on the R53 with no problems on stock suspension. Not only are they considerably wider but they are almost as tall as a 205 50 R17.

I want the higher sidewall because I drive on the highway a lot and could use the extra gear ratio. I will also be in Detroit this summer on their terrible roads (I'm from Kansas.)

Discussion please. Thank you for all input.

Tom

 

That size tire should throw off your speedo; unsure how many mph but it will show slower than you are really going........ Look Out for a Ticket

 

try this site and you will see the differences in size, 215 45 17 works fine on a stock R53, I had them on mine with No issues at all

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...foTireMath.jsp

 

I also run 215 45 17 in the summer, it throws the speedo off about 5-6mph.

 

I guess my biggest concern is fitment issues. The 215/45/R17 will create a greater rolling resistance and that is not what I am looking for.

I am trying to either decrease my rolling resistance or make my final drive longer for highway use.

I would like to switch to X-lite 16" wheels and the 195/55/R16. They would meet both my expectations as well as reduce weight however cannot find a set that are easily accessible.

So my solution is to put the one size larger sidewall on. Like I have stated above though the taller sidewall has been talked down but without any fitment issues though they are claimed but not specified.

 

I am running the 195 55 16 right now on my Rota wheels, gas mileage has not changed to anything i can notice from my 17s with ther 215 45 17 size and the ride is also not really any better but that could be due to the different type and brand of tires, I may actually switch back to my 17s and sell the Rota wheels with the tires on them, or i may switch to a 225 or 215 50 16 and see how that works, I have 2 weeks before the Dragon to get it done

 

Any increase in tire diameter, even a 205/50/17, will increase rolling resistence because of the larger contact patch. Going to the 16" X-Lite would definitely help things as you would be losing up to 8lbs per wheel, depending on what 17" wheel you currently have. That's a lot of rotational mass!

 

ok so I jumped in and did it! I have 205/50/R17s on my MINI. they look great! they also ride even better and with little performance decrease if at all. My mileage has already gone up over 2 mpgs on highway driving average. I normally average 28-29 ish on my drive to school and last night averaged a strong 31 and change with some spirited driving on the way! So the moral of this story. 205 50 R17 work just fine! no rubbing and no ill effects for the average enthusiast. The tires I chose (Dunlop SP Sport Signatures) were actually $18 cheaper per tire in the bigger size! I highly recommend this to anyone who is wanting a smoother ride and better protection from bent wheels without sacrificing performance go for the taller profile. I will be autocrossing on these this summer so for anyone interested on how they perform stay tuned.

 

any pics of the new tires? curious to see how that much sidewall looks

 

will have some good pics this weekend. I dont have my camera with me on campus. It looks pretty good though.

 

Yeah, I agree "PICS"

 

I would hate Detroit with my 35 series 18' inch wheels.

 

Sorry the pictures are not very good. They are taken with my phone. good ones will come this weekend. Sorry my MINI needs a wash.

Here is the old tires: 205/45/R17


Here are the new tires: 205/50/R17

 

I've already noticed a 2mpg average increase on my fill ups. my car's calculation is finally right on or low. That's where I'd rather have it anyway.

I did some calculations and found that the speed change at 60mph is only 2mph high +/- .5 mph. with how far off the MINI speedometers are already I figured it is benefiting rather than harming.