Got new tires for my JCW's, love them. Michelin Pilot sports a/s. I went with 215/45 17s. They were $120 cheaper then 205/45 17s. The car handles way better, quicker steering and a much better feel. The torque steer seems to be less. All around way better; run flats never again.

 

I will be getting those when the run flats wear out.

 

Thats the tires I bought last January. Love them. Just trying to figure out how i burned through them so fast, hehe. Local mechanic was praising them highly on his Mercedes. Said he put 20k miles on them and they dont show a bit of wear for him.

 

The two tires are doing different things.

Runflats afford you safety when you get a flat and reasonably good handling but it's heavy and has a stiffer ride.

Pilot Sport A/S is non runflat so much less stiff sidewall but can go flat, it's meant to trade off some crispness in handling vs Max Summer tires with longer treadwear and more comfort. You are fine with either size you mentioned.

Ultra High Performance All Season tires are a good choice for MINIs doing daily street driving. They can be run in cold weather and some light snow too.

 

I have put spare tire in a can and a small compressor in the car in case of a flat. I do run my cycle without a spare also.

 

That's fine except when you use fix a flat in the tire you will damage the TPMS valve and clog it up. Just be prepared to replace the TPMS.

 

what are the differences in handling,205x45x17 to 215x45x17

 

From what I believe, dry handling is better with the 215's, wet and snow better with the 205's. The steering seems more sensitive and quicker, but that is comparing to run flats not Michelin 205s.

 

Using stock 17x7 wheels.

205/45-17
Is OEM sized and should work best unless you are trying to get a taller tire to reduce wheel gap. You get less speedo and odometer error as this is stock sized.

215/45-17
Has a taller sidewall which can be more flexible for better comfort and increases tire diameter by about 0.4". This gives less clearance when using a lowered suspension but is fine with stock suspension. Typically it is slightly heavier and can be slightly more expensive. Since the tire is larger and wider it has a slightly higher load rating and a little more tread width.

If you are using wider than stock wheels then 215/45-17 would be the better fit.

Handling and performance as well as how it will do in dry vs wet and snow will depend on which tire you select more than tire size of these two choices. For more info you should contact Alex@tirerack.com.

Tire selection will vary with each size. Some tires you want could be limited to one, both of neither of these sizes.

For most people you can consider them to be very similar but if your choice of tire is available in both then choose 205/45-17 as it is stock sized.

 

I have a 2010 Club S and got stuck in the snow today. I have the 205 / 17 / R40 Continentals and could not get any traction. When I called parts at my dealer (Passport in Alex, VA), they said those are all season tires, I find that hard to believe.

I'm looking for suggestions, I'm thinking about going with the Bridgestone Blizzak. What would people recommend for an all season tire and would chains work as an alternate?

 

Continental DWS!

 

Awesome suggestion but Tire rack does not show them as being compatible with my car???

 

I'm running Pirelli WinterSports and love them. Ride isn't to harsh and they just plain grip. Lot's of siping.

 

They will be fine and fit stock 17x7" wheels for the MINI. Just be sure to keep your TPMS

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....WSXL&tab=Specs

Not all All Season tires can handle snow-
see tirerack tests- there is a difference with DWS
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=124

If you search tirerack for your 2010 Clubman S and select all tires in stock 17" then you get the DWS on page four-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...ting=S&tab=All

This is because the Summer tires are listed first then the All Season tires then snow tires or competition tires.

 

Can you drive w/o the pressure sensors installed - the guys from discount tire are suggesting not installing the TPMS for my winter tires. I don't have a problem driving with a warning light for 4 months.

Thanks for the tip on the tirerack - I'll make sure it states all season or winter.

 

Yes, you can run no TPMS for winter wheels and tires then switch back later.

When you order from tirerack you can ask for Alex at extention 294, he knows MINIs.