Do I want 215 40 17 or 215 45 17, or 205 40s or 205 45s?

 

SpiderX,
What are you trying to do?
Close the gap between the top of the tire and the wheel arch?
Avoid tire rub in the wheel well?
Have a tuner tire that "looks" aggressive?
Have a tire that suits your performance and driving needs?
Have tires that can handle four people and their luggage with reserve?

Obviously the stock tire size 205/45-17 is a good place to start. There are a few good tires in that size- contact alex@tirerack or go to the tirerack.com site and search for tires of that size. Selection isn't the greatest but OK. Runflats are expensive and don't give good ride quality compared to other choices.

A common choice is 215/45-17 which will fit fine and meet load needs for a MINI with ample reserve. Selection is good, tires are a little more costly in that size vs 205/45-17.

205/40 and 215/40 are lower profile tires that will ride a little rougher for street driving. Lower load ratings decreases the reserve for loading up your MINI. A lower profile tire may decrease the diameter of the tire and could increase the wheel gap- a little. Less chance for rubbing but not completely if you load up your MINI or drive through corners hard- I have seen a little rubbing using 215/40-17 tires on a 1" lowered MCS.

Some tires come in only certain sizes but you get the look or performance you want. Sometimes you can shop by tire size but the selection of tires becomes secondary. It depends on your needs. Give alex@tirerack a call.

 

Here's a few links of tire statistics -- look at the column for tire diameter (all MINIs are 24 inches so anything less will be lower):

TireRack for Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3:
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&...Eagle+F1+GS-D3

Bridgestone for Potenza S-03:
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&...+Pole+Position

The Bridgestone link shows that 215/40/17 has 23.8 inch diameter, so that won't lower your car much. It shows 215/45/17 as 24.6 inches so that is taller, not what you want. 205/40/17 is 23.5 inches so that is better. 205/45/17 is not listed in the S03 but will be taller than 23.5 inches.

I would think to lower your car 1 inch, you would need to go with a 22 inch diameter (i.e., 2 inches less than stock), which is not practical -- i.e., because half of the diameter is above the axle and the other half is below the axle, and it is what is below the axle that will actually lower the car. So, if you used the 205/40/17 at 23.5 inch diameter, which is .5 inches (1/2 inch) less than the standard 24 inches -- that would only lower your car by half that or by .25 inches (1/4 inch). That's the way I see it, unless I have figured this all wrong. So, in addition to a lower profile tire you may want to use another method to lower your car, i.e., such as lowering springs, but you will need to be careful as you don't want to lower it too much. :smile: If I'm wrong, someone please tell me.

 

Thanks to both of you.

let me be more specific. This car will never be loaded up with 4 people and luggage 95% of the time it is just me with a brief case. This car is my toy for "spirited" driving, avoiding pot holes and having fun. I am running Hankook 205 45 17s. they are the first tire that I put on after run flats. I don't know anything else. I have just put on PSS9s nd want to get the most out of my car for Mountain driving, some auto cross and track....in that order. I like the car to perform. I'm thinking 215 40 17s because there are many more choices. I do have another car (on the way) a IS 300 Sport Cross that will remain stock. so this car will be my "toy."

 

Oh yes, I see now in your signature block you've got the PSS9s, so, you're already lowered. 215/40/17 sounds good. Don't know if it will rub, but shouldn't by much if at all, maybe not at all. You may want to consider 16 inch wheels if you really want to lower your car more with lower profile tires, i.e., 215/45/16 has been said to look just like 17s with 45 profile. :smile:

 

You're on factory S-Lites? Then 215/45/17 should work as its +50mm offset
unless the Bilstein's have large casing where it might rub the tire on the inner
sidewall. 205/45/17's are also good, but limited in choice, I think.

You can use 215/40/17 as well. I think Im going to wrap 215/40/17's
on my R90's down the road if I decide to change those SP9000's. Not
because of rubbing issues, just the styling. (R90's are too damn heavy
anyway to do any performance runs). I also plan to push out the
wheel using a 7-8mm offset spacer.

 

I have the H-Sport springs which give about 1" lower on my 03 MCS. I am running 205/45R-17 BFG G-FGorce T/A KDW NTs and they fit great, look great, and hold the road great.

Earl