So it's time for me to get new tires. My MINI is currently rocking 16" stock run-flats on 6-Star Twin Spoke Alloy Wheels. (pic below)





I believe my tires are 195-55-16. I read that I could fit 205-55-16 on a MINI no problems? is this true? Should I stick with 195-55-16? 205's has a little more girth and a tiny bit wider. If I could fit those on my current wheels that would be great.

Thanks guys and gals.
G

 

I got rid of my 195/55-16 run-flats yesterday. I ended up with Bridgestone RE760 Sports in 195/55-16. I stayed with the smaller size as they went on a 2011 Justa Cooper. The 195/55 RE760 Sports are 3 pounds lighter per tire than the 205/55. The ride is a night and day difference for the better. The steering is a little less sharp, but I am happy to get off the run-flats.

 

What year is the Mini?

 

I like using this tire size calculator:

https://tiresize.com/calculator/

You can compare two sizes. The 205/55 you mention would result in a low speedo reading of about 1-2 mph. Not enough to be worrisome, just keep speed limits in mind.

You can also use that website to plug in your specific make/model/year.

 

But the speedo is quite fast on OEM size tires.

 

If that is the case, is the odometer "fast" as well. I've always thought mine was registering more miles than I'm actually driving. My car has 195/55/16 sized tires.

 

Most new vehicles have a setting somewhere to allow for variations in tire sizes. I do not know if Mini have that or not.

"Fast" is relative. If it's a mile or two per hour it's not all that significant. When it starts being 5+ then it's something to bear in mind. As has been mentioned, when tires wear they'll lose as much as 1/2" of tread depth. That will affect how the speed/mileage is calculated.

Is it "enough" to be worrisome? No, not really, as ALL cars have done this over time. These are not precise distance-measuring systems. One might like to think they are, but that's not how they've really ever worked.

Now, I can confess to using tire size changes as a means to get a speeding ticket reduced by enough to fall under the next tier of penalties (lifted Jeep with bigger tires). But you'd need to be worried about something that made the car seem SLOWER than it was actually going. Registering more miles would be the result of the tires being smaller and the speed being shown as faster than actual.

 

no, mini's speedo is programmed to read faster, just like bmw it can be coded to read correct speed

odometer is not affected

 

Mega72 is correct in that the odometer is not artificially adjusted. However, there is variation in OEM tire diameters and in new vs. worn tires. Broken clocks are accurate twice per day. That's far more frequently than anything dependent on tire rotations per mile.

 

If you have stock suspension with no plans to lower it then you can use any of these tire sizes on your 16" rims:

195/55-16 but that size favors runflats
205/50-16 Fits and works fine although a little small on tire diameter
205/55-16 better tire selection depending on all season vs summer tire class

A little speedo or odometer error is fine, just be aware of having to adjust a little. Tire pressures are all the same for the sizes and ride quality and handling are very similar. A bigger difference is more likely due to which tire you select as Grand Touring All Season tires tend to be more comfortable and longer lasting while Max Summer tires give better handling and performance but aren't suitable for cold weather.

 

Some years ago (like a decade or more) there was an article in Road Track or Car Driver looking at variations in speedometers. At least back then speedometers were frequently several mph off the tested 60mph. Variation seemed to be manufacturer, model specific. US and Japanese makes could be over or under actual reading. EU rules apparently prevent any indicating a lower speed than actual so they err on the side of staying in regulation so EU cars are always indicating faster than actual ie your Mustang/Corvette could be actually at 58 or 62 when it shows 60 but a BMW/Audi will always be going a little under 60 when indicating 60.

 

I went with 4 new 205-55ZR-16 BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S SL. Love them in just the past few weeks I've had them. They look very sexy and the ride is soooooo quiet now. And the bumps are not as rough as before. So happy with them so far.

 

How do you like the grip?

 

Tires on my (sig) MCS were replaced soon before I purchased it from MINI dealer a few months ago as CPO vehicle, yet I'm seriously ready to drink the forum coolaid by ditching the run flats. If so, will likely also replace my OEM 17" Conical silver alloys with JCW 17" R112 black wheels (or similar) at same time for "visual appeal".

Although my MINI isn't JCW let alone GP2 spec and is intended only for fun driving on local mountain roads, seems improved ride with decreased NVH plus greater cornering grip would be a winner. Since mine isn't an urban commuter, annual cost of tires isn't a factor. I'll carry a string plug kit and portable air compressor in the boot and call it good.