Hey everyone,
I'm new to the world of Mini and I'm having lots of fun already. I'm so glad my '08 Mini Cooper S came with stock 16" wheels and so-so all season tires. It makes it easier to justify the upgrade. I've read many threads already but haven't found the answer I'm looking for. My current stock wheels and Yokohama YK580 195/55R-16 set up weigh 40 lbs. The lowest weight I can see is 33lb which would be pretty dramatically better. With a stock (not Sport suspension) how will such a change in unsprung weight and tire aspect ratio affect the harshness of the ride. I'm pretty sure I'll be OK with it, but I welcome the input.

I'm planning:
1) A light, 16 or 17x7 wheel - I really like the white Alleggerita HLT, though at $360 a piece on Tirerack, I'm doing some soul searching. The 17x7 wheel only weighs 14lbs!
2) I'm pretty sure I'd like to go 1~2% smaller overall tire diameter to minimize weight and polar moment of inertia and gain effective, more favorable gear ratio. I don't mind the speedo error
3) I'm not sure the width I want to go with. Obviously a wider tire will translate to more mass and inertia. How much width is needed to maximize performance? I like to drive aggressively on windy, back country roads. I'm thinking about 215/40R-17 or 225/45R-16, but tire options are really limited. I'm also considering going with the stock 205/45R-17 - Continental DW (19lbs) or Michelin Pilot Super Sports (20lbs) seem great, but I'm wondering if 205mm is wide enough.

I think i'd like the look of the wider tire, but I think function is more important than form so I'm really on the fence here. Any advice out there? Bring it on. Thanks.

 

Dw

 

Has anyone seen the Continental DW in 215/40R-17? I see them advertised on 1010tires.com but not listed on Tirerack.com. I know the guy I chatted with at Tirerack said the DW were back ordered 8 weeks, which ~might~ be OK. If the DWs are avail in that size, I think I'd be done with my research.

 

I have sparco drift 17 7 wheels with sumitomo 215/45/17 z111 s you' ll love the price / performance .

 

Pick your lightweight wheel of choice and grab some Michelin PSS in the typical size of 215/45-17.

Enjoy a great tire with a 30k mile warranty.

 

My concern with the 215/45-17s relative to a 205/45-17 or a 215/40-17: (1) Larger diameter results in a slightly worse (slower acceleration) gear ratio, (2) Larger diameter results in a slightly worse polar moment of inertia and weight (slower acceleration). (3) The extra cm width looks great, but is it really needed? It adds weight. No one has addressed how much width is really optimal on a Mini Cooper S. Is 205 enough? Is the 215 really just for looks?

 

I have looked at the Sparco wheels and they are pretty light, available in white and look to be a good (price) value. Those Sumitomo's wouldn't be a great choice for me as I live in Oregon and need great wet traction. Thanks

 

The DW has a soft sidewall, I would not go that route if you're at all a fan of crisp turn in.

 

I have the DW on my comfort/non-summer 16" X-Lites and they are crazy good in the rain, and perform quite well. Quiet on the highway. A very livable daily tire that still performs very well. Check here: Car and Driver comparison

For crazy grip though? I really really like my Enkei RPF1s with Yoko AD08. Lightweight wheels, very grippy tires. They are uncomfortably loud on the highway. But they stick like glue!

 

Tremperj, what size are your wheels and tires?

 

The X-Lites are stock. 16 x 6.65, running 205-50/16 tires.
Enkeis are 17x7 with 215-45/17 tires.

I can see if I have some fitment images if you need.

 

I autocross my 2007 stock MCS.... I use Sparco 17/7 Drift wheels and 215/45 17 BFG Rivals.... don't overthink it. If you are really interested in performance..... that is along the lines of what you really want. Is there any differrence in accelleration due to a very slightly larger diameter from my stock 205/45/17 tire? It is negligible and more than made up with additional carried speed.... the 215/17 fits perfect and is not just for looks

 

Theres a lot of tire choices available at 215/45. More contact patch on autocross is rarely a bad thing. And we are not pro racers here. We'd probably all be better off losing a few pounds than stressing over centimeters and ounces in our wheel/tire combos, if weight is truly a concern. In the meantime, find something that looks great for a price you can stand, and drive the hell out of it!

 

Ditto that thought!

IMO... if you are not going to track/autocross... you will be much happier with something like the conti's or michelins.... the max performance summer tires (we have an incredible selection of very sticky rubber such as Dunlop Star Spec Z2, BFG Rival etc...) will not last long as a daily driver and do not tolerate winter temps very well. PS... if you can tell the difference between a couple pounds and millimeters.... you are a better driver than me Stig!

 

Thanks for all the input! I'm probably gonna go with the Michelins Pilot Super Sport. It is interesting that on Tirerack the 205/45R-17s are $185, but the 215/45-17s are only $145. Less money for more tire - cool!

 

Michelin PSS is a great everyday tire. I love it on my 335i.
Bridgestone RE-11s were great on my MINI the last time around. The current tire is faster on track/autoX, but you are not into that.

Some tire sizes are more popular and thus cheaper than others.
It helps to go with popular sizes and you get much better selection, and (occasionally) lower prices in that size!

a

 

I went with 215/45ZR17 Michelin PSS on some used 17x7.5 et40 Volk TE37 (forged and only 15lb ). I'm really happy! The PSS are dramatically better in wet or dry

 

Not only is the 215 wider and cheaper, it isn't really much more weight for you to worry about the rotating mass and unsprung weight for racing. It helps fill the wheel well better and gets the speedo closer to accurate.

 

I would say you hit the nail on the head. Light and strong wheels, wearing the top maximum performance tire available at this time. I love that wheel! We sold Volk, but we had trouble getting stock. Nice choice

 

OMG Alex @ TR, we haven't seen you in a while, thought you might have left us.

 

I can tell you what not to get, 19" like my loaner has. It has the worse ride I ever had, you feel every grain of sand on the road. I want my car back with the 16" wheels, IMO more side wall means more traction and more wheel protection. I might in the future go to 17" but that would be it.

 

I am alive! Always able to help.

 

Alex-
Thank you for my winter tire and rim recommendation!
I ordered from you on Friday afternoon and they were at my house Monday before noon!

Will definitely be calling when I need new tires!

Thanks!

 

I couldn't agree more! After reading lots of reviews, I thought I'd give them a go but returned them to the tireshop after a few days. My Mini didn't feel like a go kart - side walls felt so soft.

 

The sidewalls are softer, and after they flex they hold like hell. Especially in the wet, which is really the purpose of them. Reasonable price, comfy daily ride, tons of grip even in the wet. Modify your turn in to accommodate and it's really almost no compromises.