Anyone using 205-40-17 tires on their Mini please mention brand of tires and likes and dislikes in regards to ride quality, road noise ,handling and if you would buy this size for your Mini again.

I know this tire is aprox 3% smaller in diameter than the 205-45-17 stock size so this question is for the brave souls who tried someting different. Also any pictures would be great.

Thanks in advance.

 

I gotta ask the not so helpful question of why?

 

^^Yeah Me Too^^
For a 40 series tire I would go with a 215 width. (215/40-17)

 

Well, I will try and be helpful here:

I bought the Kumho ASX in the 205/40-17 size, mainly because I wanted a great UHPAS tire that I could afford on my currently limited budget (spent too much on other mods like a flywheel/clutch, Koni Yellows, etc...)

The ride is superb for the ASX tire. Response is right on par with what I like which is crisp yet forgiving. The handling is tight but again, not quite as responsive as some well heated race rubber. This tire imho is quite possibly the best option for a daily driven car that is driven spiritedly.

Ultimately, I would definitely buy the ASX again no questions asked. I would also pick it up in this size again because I like the lower stance, the tire is still plenty wide for a mini and the cost was a great savings. All good things

Here is a pic of my car with the wheels and tires mounted:

 

So, that particular tire works well with your modified suspension setup, sounds like a lot of fun on the twisties. The next question would be how would they do on a non moded suspension. That is where MINI youafacation and its bazillion permutations gets confusing.

 

I would think that these tires would work just fine on a non-modded suspension. With that being said, my suspension has been modded for so long now that I think I may have forgotten what it was like to drive it OEM

The tire will give better grip, will accelerate a bit faster due to the shorter sidewall height, and will look a bit more aggressive as well. I would say that is a win win situation!

 

just saw this in allyrand's intro thread. says they are 215/40/17. IMO they look tiny compared to a 45

 

RJTrout2000

Thanks for your response and picture. Your Mini looks awesome and I hope others that have tried the 205-40-17 tires will add their helpful comments too.

It seems to me that a lot of Mini owners mention that they like the nimble feel of the Mini and it's overall handling and how fun it is to drive but installing a tire that adds width, weight and diameter is going to dull the nimble feel if anything. I asked this question in the first post because my JCW is lowered on coilovers and I am considering the 205-40-17.

 

I think if your lowered then they will look nice as well as im sure handle firmer, but well.

One other thing is, I think you can take your stock wheels off and add a bigger tire and still come out much lighter and better handling. The stock stuff is just so heavy and neither the wheels, or tires are really any good.

 

iwashmycar

I agree and I have a set of OZ Allegg's that weigh 14 lbs/ea as compared to OEM stockers at aprox 23 lbs/ea. I have my OZ Allegg's up for trade because they are black and I wanted silver after seeing them on my Mini so if I don't get a trade or sale I am going to have them podwer coated silver and then on goes the 205-40-17's.

 

Sounds like a good plan. Powdercoating is only like 250 or so and then youre still set with a very good set of wheels. Might look even better in the end anyway

 

I hope you are right. If not at least there won't be to many other OZ Allegg's in silver running around because OZ doesn't offer that wheel in silver. BTW I wash my car too .

 

I think OP wants 205/40-17 not 215/40/17.

 

right. i just posted the pic because of the 40. there are so many 205s out there that look like 215s and vice-versa. heck the 205 512's i just ordered look like 195s easy

 

Octane. What do you want for the rims? Your PVT messages are full.

 

Island Maser,

Sent you a PM