I just picked up my very rough MINI today. I will be using this car as a SCCA STF class autocross car. I will eventually be putting some 15" wheels and tires on it but for now I just need some replacement street tires. I have choice between two tire sizes to go on the stock rims. A 205/55/16 and a 225/50/16. I know the 205 may be a better choice but is it possible to squeeze the 225s on there? This is not for autocross and these are my only two tire choices as that is what I have access to. I did a search but did not really find anybody with the 225 on the narrow 6.5" stock rims. Thanks!!

 

You could go to tirerack.com and check the rim width range for the particular tire.

 

It will physically fit the rim but not sure a 225 fits the car well

 

The 225 needs at least a 7.5" rim to work well. I speak from experience!

You might try what I am up to at the moment, up here in the frozen wasteland they call New England. I am running the Continental M&S tires, which is the hot setup for Winter Tire Front Wheel Drive class (WTF).

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Will order the 205s tonight . Funny thing is the car has 225/55 on the rear now and they look huge and no way they would fit on the front.

 

Sounds like the prior owner just picked up some used tires, tossed them on the rear, and the rears on the front.....
An owner doing this type of thing does not bode well for other preventitve mx having been done...so you might want dig deeper and look at some basics like radiator servicing, transmission oil, etc.

 

225/55-16 are way too large for the MINI. They do fit rims 6-8" wide but tire diameter is 25.7" vs OEM 24.3".

205/55-16 fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide, perfect for 6.5" rim so that is the tire with best fit.

225/50-16 fits rims 6-8" wide, perfect for 7" rim, it will fit but is heavier by about 2-3 lbs for a given tire in this size vs 205/55.

Tire and wheel rule limits for STF class SCCA are-
Street tire rated 140 treadwear or higher, minimum 7/32" tread molded depth
Tires up to 225mm wide
Wheels up to 7.5" wide