I had just placed an order for a set of 4) 205 45r17 Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 (AS) for my 04 R53.
The tires were set to arrive from a local distributor within a week. I received an email that there is a delay and tires won't arrive for 2 weeks.
At this point I still have an opportunity to cancel my order and switch tire size to 215's.

Where I currently live, there is a potential to get light snow (1"- 2").
Question is: How well do 215's handle in slushy/wet & snow conditions compared to 205's?
Would you recommend 215's for a Mini?

I've had really wide tires in the past on many of my previous (RWD) vehicles which were nearly impossible to control / fishtail in even moderate snow conditions.
The Mini is my first FWD and I've been running 205 45R17' (summer) tires for the past 18 yrs.

Any thoughts from anyone who lives in a state that gets moderate snow running 215's ?

 

My snow tires are 215/45-17. But, they are dedicated “Snow” tires. Those DWS 06 tires are an M/S rated all season. That being said, the “S” in “DWS” stands for “Snow”. (“D”ry - “W”et - “S”now). You should be fine with that tire in that size.

 

I ran the DWS 06+ this past winter, and they'll go back on in a month. 215/45-17.

They have been excellent here in north eastern Massachusetts, from -5 to 40 degrees with more rain than snow.

I'd not fret at all about the width difference, I'd keep the 205s you have and enjoy them,

The wider the tire, the greater likelihood of hydroplaning and in snow there is a bit less bite.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Thank you for your insights!

Just had my S-Lites wrapped in Continental Extreme Contacts (DWS).
Wow - So that's what tires are supposed to feel like! - Very happy


Thanks again!

 

If you are using All Season tires on OEM rims then it doesn't matter if 205/45 or 215/45 in size. The rim width will limit the tire more than anything else.

Size alone isn't as big a factor than the actual all season tire model. Rubber compound and tread design are factors that will work better for light snow use.