Any advice would be appreciated. My '09 Clubman S is running NM Springs and I currently have 205/45-17 Dunlop Direzza DZ 101's that are fun, but when I hit an expansion joint it feels like I've driven the car into something much larger. Passengers have actually screamed OMG! I have a set of snow tires on the original Bridgespokes. I occasionally carry three passengers, so I need enough clearance....which conflicts with my desire to run the largest tire possible. Also, I don't want to do anything that would reduce my fuel mileage - I have a long commute.

I'm considering-
1. Continental Extreme Contact DW in either
205/45-17 or
215/45-17
Will these ride significantly better than the Dunlop's?
Will the 215/45-17's fit without rubbing?

2. Yokohama Avid Envigor in 195/55-16
Changing wheel size isn't a problem, but I would only do this to improve the harshness and get the wheel clearance that I need. I know that 205/55-16's rub with two passengers aboard, so I can't go that route.

 

The harsh ride is relative and related to your lowering springs and 45 series sidewalls. Higher tire pressures also add to firmness and does more load, more people in the MINI.

215/45-17 is taller than 205/45-17 so you get less clearance and there can be some rubbing in the rear under load. Safer to use stock MINI tire diameter tire sizes.

195/55-16 has the big advantage of higher sidewall but won't feel as quick handling and responsive vs the 45 series tires. If you can live with that then that tire size and Yokohama EnVigor (H&V) is OK.

see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....7ENV&tab=Sizes
Note that it can come in 205/45-17 for $111 each

Dunlop Direzza DZ101 is an Ultra High Perf Summer tire.
How many miles on it now? As it gets old and worn out the rubber gets firm and noisey.

Continental ExtremeContact DW is a very good tire as well but still 45 series sidewall. Pretty good street tire. Try 32 psi tire pressures. Likely it will be better than Dunlops but treadwear is lower than Envigor 340 vs 540.