I just put the 17" summer runflats back on and I have had enough of harsh ride. I am thinking about going to 16" wheels with non-runflat tires. The OEM size according to tirerack is 195/55-16. I am wondering what the best size tire would be for softening up the ride. Can I run 205/55-16 or even 215-55-16?

 

I'm running 205/55-16, so I know that can be done. Pretty sure 215/55-16 is possible. I stuck with 205 just to be on the conservative side with respect to fitting the width of my stock rims.

 

I've run 205/55-16 tires on 16x7 Rota Streamline wheels. The factory 16" wheels are 16x6.5, so 1/2" narrower than the Rotas. However, 205/55-16 should fit on either wheel.

Your factory 17" runflats were 205/45-17 which have an O.D. of 24.5". Your wheels were 17x7".

205/55-16 tires will be about 24.9" O.D. which is 0.4" larger than your runflats. This will raise your car about 0.2". You speedo will read a little more accurately.

215/55-16 tires will have an O.D. of around 25.3" which is 0.8" larger. That may be a problem.

215/50-16 would be the same O.D. as your runflats, but the tire selection is rather limited. If you can find a tire you like in that size, it might be a good choice.

225/50-16 has an O.D. of 24.9" (same as 205/55-16). Don't know whether you would have problems with rubbing, or not.

Some people run 205/50-16 tires. They are around 24.1" O.D. which is 0.4" under your runflats. So, 0.2" less ground clearance, and 0.45" less cushioning sidewall than 205/55-16.

 

I have 17" wheels and when my RF tires wore out I just went with non-RF on the same wheels (see my sig for brand). BIG DIFFERENCE in ride. I'm sure the 16" is even less harsh but just the tire change will make you happy.

 

my stock 16s were worse than my other Konigs.

Now you should try 18x8 and 18x8.5 with 215/35/18s lol now thats a harsh ride!

 

Same here.

Just took off the OEM Dunlop SP Sport 01 (worn out after 22K miles) and put on Yokohama S. Drives and there is a big difference in the ride harshness of the ride. So you may be able to get away with the 17" Summer tires on your rims and be happy, but then again maybe not. Only trying it will tell.

 

The 16's I had: Bridgestone Grids 195/55/16's ran harsher than my OEM 17" runflats.

I now run GP Rims with All Season Pirelli PZero Nero 215/40/18 and the ride is softer / less harsh than prevous set up's, and I have excellent dry/wet/snow handling. No not my imagination either, Those MINI club members who have also ridden in my MINI says the same thing.

I am sure; suspension, tread compound, tire pressure, metal composition and weight of the wheels ( steel, aluminum, cast one,two three piece) and width of the tire all factors with respect to ride quality. And from the posts I have read on this, no two MINI's are the same, so trial and error may be only solution.

 

Having gone from OEM Dunlop SP Sport 01 205/45-17 to Michelin Pilot Sport PE2 205/45-17 on lighter wheels, I can say there was a significant difference. Some of it (don't know how much) was due to a lighter wheel.

I then got the Rota 16x7 wheels (even lighter) and Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S 205/55-16 and there was another significant increase in ride comfort. However, don't like the handling characteristics of the Pirellis, so back to the 17" Michelins. Pirelli has discontinued the M+S. I hear that their current P-Zero Nero all season is an improvement.

 

I'd try for 225/45's if I were on 16's. Not sure about availability.

225/50's should be good too if you're not lowered and should be more comfy. Otherwise 215/50's should be fine as well.

 

Very limited tire selection, and rather low profile for someone wanting a comfortable ride. Of the four tires Tire Rack has in this size, two are track tires. O.D. is only 24".

Large selection. O.D. 24.9". What about rubbing?

 

225/45's would be sexy though!

I know they'll fit the wheel fine and I think on a 2nd gen it would be OK. If it rubs, just get some spacers. 215's I guess are the safe bet.

 

Would 225/55/17's fit an R56 with stock suspension?

 

Maybe after you get a lift kit! I don't think you'd want to go over 225/45's on 17's. Those are already fatter than stock, would be comfy and wider.

 

I'm running 16x7 W/42mm offset & 225/50R16s with JCW suspension.

No rubbing ever in the front but there's only .25" between the strut & the tire.

Trimmed the rear bumper, fender liner, and black wheel arches in the rear after lowering it in the back by an inch (It was 2 inches higher in the back from the factory!).

 

Just going to a non-runflat tire may make you happy...runflats have a reputation for a bad ride.....especially as they wear.
I found that my car rides better with my 16' General UHP's tires, than my 15' Perrelli SnowSport 210' snow tires....so I can say tire choice has more to do with ride quality than tire size.
The best change I made to my car to improve the ride was KONI FSD's....they are available for Gen2 cars too....they made a change to the ride quality on par with ditching the run-flats. So if your struts have a few miles....it is another option.