I have an 07 S. I am currently running 205/45/17 summer tires. It turns out that in Michigan we get snow from time to time, so I need some winter rubber. I already own a set of 225/45/17 blizzaks that are in very good condition.

The guy at the tire store indicated that the engine would be working harder to push 4 wider than normal tires. I didnt think it would be a big deal at all going to a wider tire....but he advised against it. I know one advantage of a narrower tire is that it can break through the snow and get down to the actual concrete better.......but again I didnt think the inch would matter. I guess my logic is that if it was good enough for the 330 in the winter, it should be good enough for the MINI.

I would hate to buy new tires while I am already sitting on a nice set.......I may contact another tire place for a second opinion, what are your thoughts/opinions?

Thanks in advance.

 

I do not think 225's will fit unless you change the alingment on your car. I'm running 225's but I have adjustable controla arms in the rear and camber plates in thr front.

 

ROFL>>>>>I never even thought to see if they actually "fit" the car. Looks like my decision has been made for me.


Thanks for the reply!

 

they could fit.. people run 235s

You may need spacers with a stock offset though to push them out a bit.

a 225 blizzak will be worlds better than a narrow 205 summer. They will be and look huge compared to those 205s still

Just as an example from tireracks site

Some random 205/45/17 Continental DWS summer tire:

Rim: 6.5-7.5"
Rim Meas: 7"
Section Width: 8.4"
Tread Width: 7.3"
Diameter: 24.3"

A Blizzak LM-25 (random choice):

Rim: 7-8.5"
Rim Meas: 7.5"
Section Width: 8.9"
Tread Width: 7.6"
Diameter: 25"

i also know people say its a myth, but I think the 07 will have a bit more room than a 05. Definately seem to have larger wheel wells, or at least some better suspension clearances.

Id just try one

 

Whether the 225s fit or not, you want *narrower* tires for snow. My winter tires are 185s.

A wide tire tends to float on top the snow; you want the tire to cut down through the snow and allow maximum contact with the hard surface underneath, and also to let the open tread get a grip on whatever snow there is.

Any reputable tire shop / tire technician should be able to give you more details on the advantages of a narrower tire over a wide tire in snow (or mud or sand).

HTH,
--
Darryl

 

I'm running 235's on a lowered 09 MCS without a problem. They are on wheels with a +45 offset. The logic behind having a narrower tire to get down to the pavement makes sense in most cases but honestly, that's the last thing I wanted during the "Snowmageddon" in D.C. last year. With a couple of feet of snow on the ground, there were times when I was doing much better sitting on top of it. I do run all-season's and I was out several times during and after the heaviest snow periods that we had. I'd say that's not bad for having less than 3" of ground clearance at the lowest point...

 

Another thing to consider is that the actual front to back contact patch size will get smaller as you go wider. So you will in essence have LESS traction going with a wider tire than going with a narrow one that has more front to back contact patch size.
This is why autoXer's love to go to a wider tire, so the lateral grip is higher.

 

Hey Vic,

Just wondering if you ever tried the 225's? I've run Blizzaks on my pre-Mini cars (and love them), but just discovered Nokian tires for snow/ice/slush and they even have an all-season that has a Blizzak-like tread, but the runflats only come in 225/45-17 (no 205). If nothing else, being able to use a different tire size opens up the options on eBay and elsewhere to get me away from the Dunlop's that came on my JCW Clubman. The dealer just tried to charge me $1650 for another set of those and that ain't gonna happen.

Thanks!
glen

 

No, I didnt try them. I sold them on craigslist locally because I want to go with runflats.

sorry

 

No problem; at least sounds like it's possible. Thanks for the quick response, and, Merry Christmas!!

 

You could run 225s but good luck finding a pair in the size you want. They are pretty hard to find cause not a lot of people make them.

 

This must be a first...

I'm run 225's on my MCS with zero rubbing, even over chug-holes...

 

Snows in Michigan??? Guy at tire place says yours won't work???
Sorry, I'm no help at all but I got a chuckle from your post thx

 

Ahhh the good ole snowmmaggedon

 

I drive through Detroit on the way to work....when you get a flat in certain areas of the city, you dont stop.

 

back in the old days people used to throw some weight in the trunk (for rear wheel drive cars) to increase the lbs/sq in of contact on the drive wheels. even a hundred lbs seems to make a difference there in traction. if you increase the width of the tire, you are decreasing this ratio and therefore reducing traction. I think its better to flog the 225s and get some 205 winters. Even if this helps you stop 1 ft shorter in an emergency, it could be all that makes a difference.