After 30.000 miles in my 2009 mini cooper S tires need to go (stock 205/45-17 RF). I want to replace them with a set of non run flat 215/45-17 would they fit without any rubbing or any sort of mod to the vehicle?

Thanks for the help .

Andy

 

Yep. I've been running them on my car.....no problems.

 

Andy - Why do you want to move from 205/45-17 to 215/45-17? Is it cost, availability, or asthetics?

It's been a while, but from memory, the 215's should be a slightly wider (118.25 mm versus 112.75 mm or approx. 1/4") and slightly taller sidewalls (48.375 mm verusus 46.125 mmr or approx. 1/16").

Just curious - Corey

 

I did it for the looks, and the taller tire brought my speedo one more MPH closer to accurate......

 

Well the reason is esthetics; the wider tire makes it look lower.

 

Random question...

Are the 16" wheels on the non-s sport package upgrade wider (resulting in wider rubber) than the stock 15" wheels?

 

Cool - thanks guys - just curious

BGR ALex - I have not idea - sorry...

 

I've had both 215/40/17 and 215/45/17....I prefer 40's.

Handles and looks better with 40's. 45's have too much sidewall in my opinion

 

I went to 215s for handling. That extra width does make some difference.

 

No rubbing at all

better ride quality

look much better


*****Fill the wheel well much better*****


********Nice & wide ********

And like Mini Dave say's "Speed-o-meter is a little more accurate.

 

I went from the OEM 17" runflats to non-runflat 215/45 17 Hankooks. The ride is a lot more comfortable. The major downside of the wider tires is TRAMLINING e.g. it takes more effort to steer the car, which makes the car feel noticeably less nimble. I wish I had known this beforehand. I will go back to 204/45 17 on my next set of summer tires.

 

Generally tramlining is from the tire design and not the size of the tire.

 

On one road here I had the problem when I first put my tires on but now with over 2,500 miles on them the tramlining is 90% gone. I only had the tramlining on one short stretch of I-95 going north because of the stupid grooves in the roadway.

I just got back from a 2,108 mile vacation trip and never had any problems except for a couple of places with the deep grooves cut into the highway. I'm sure other people in other cars have the same problem.

I found that even though it feels crappy you can actually take your hands off of the steering wheel and the car still goes in a streight line. I just don't let it bother me at all. My Motorcycles always did the same thing, Especially on grated bridges.

When I think back, My Dunlap runflats did the same thing on grooved highways. I'm not about to give up my Michelin's because they are so quiete and ride so good a little tramlining every once in a while does not bother me.

 

My winter tires are 215-45-17 and they have served me well through 5 winters. This will be their last due to tread wear. But I would buy again. Blizzaks FTW!

 

Go ahead and get them, simply put, you really won't be disapointed.