Has anyone tried 205/55/16 on a MCS? Any clearance issues? I really don't like the idea of going with a smaller tire than oem (195/55/16 vs 205/50/16). According to some calculations I've seen others come up with, going to 205/50 from the stock runflats can add on a couple thousand miles over the course of a 100k. I'd rather go a bit bigger and gain a couple thousand back.

 

^^

just because a tire is bigger doesn't mean the rubber is thicker.

the wear is based on mostly on compound (and how you drive), not
so much just the size.

 

The original poster is talking about miles on the odometer.

If you put run the odometer up to 100,000 miles with 205/50R16 tires, you could cover the same amount of actual distance on 205/55R16 tires and the odometer would only read 96,400 miles. Of course, my math is probably a little off, but there's a 3.4% factor that gets put in somewhere.

 

While you're correct that the mileage on the odometer may be off by a couple thousand miles at 100,000. Whether the car has 98,000 or 102,000 miles on it, it's not going to change the resale value or the perception that the car has 100k on it.

I'd get what tires you want, regardless of what the odometer is going to read, especially if you want to keep the car for 100k.

 

im gonna go have my banana...

 

The performance will be better with 205/50/16. Why does everyone trip about the odometer and the speedometer?

 

To each their own. Plus, the slightly bigger tires will help fill in the fender gap and should have a smoother ride.

 

To each their own. Plus, the slightly bigger tires will help fill in the fender gap and should have a smoother ride. But, let's get back on topic. Has anyone used 205/55/16 and, if so, did you have any clearance issues?

 

yep, especially when you run 7.5" width wheels.

 

Whatever. The fender gap is there to allow for suspension travel. Actual diameter varies from brand to brand. Compared to the 45's on the 17" wheels 50/16s are pretty smooth. Ride also varies with construction from tire to tire. The Mini comes stock with a range of diameters from 23.4 to 24.6". The effect on gearing of the taller diameters over the smaller diameters is equivalent to changing the supercharger pulley. That is why many people run lower sidewalls at the track. Going taller will lead to having to slip the clutch more to get rolling.

 

One again....let's stay on topic. I'm not asking if you agree with whether I should go with 205/55's or not. What I am asking is if anyone who has used 205/55/16 had any clearance issues?

 

im running 205/55/16's on my 06' Civic and they're just fine.

i *think* i remember reading someone running 205/55/16's and it rubbed
the top of the inner fender liner at full bump in the rear. search is
recommended. i know on my 205/50/16's, i don't rub at all, even at
full bump.

 

I just replaced my oem Dunlop 195-55-16 runflats with Perelli Nero non-runflats. I was advised by Alex, the Tire Rack guy-to-go-to for Mini stuff, that there could be clearance issues with 205-55-16, so he recommended 50s.

I've had them now for around 1200mi, including one 650mi jaunt, and although its too soon to tell, there seems to be no perceptable difference between the Dunlops and these. They tell me if I rotate religiously,they'll last maybe 5k longer than runflats.

 

Hey jaynicholson,

I've been looking for this answer as well. Did you ever find anyone that was running 205/55/16? Did you happen to try this yourself?

 

Yes. I have 36k on a set of ContiExtreme Contacts in 205/55/16, and I'm shopping for replacements right now. They require spacers, and they look ever so slightly gangly ... not enough to make you say "eewwwww", but enough to notice that they're larger than stock (but that can be an attribute if you're after attention ... kind of an extension of that bulldog stance).

As for rubbing, they bottom out only in the rear if I hit a tank trap with a full load in back (passengers and/or cargo), but never with only two of us and the casual load of groceries in tow. It's probably gronked at me under a heavy load only once every 3k miles or so.

 

I am running 205/55/16 Yoko AVS 100s with OEM 5-star rims, sport suspension, no rubbing/clearance issues what so ever even with 4 passengers. I have a 2003 Cooper (not S) with sport suspension (not +).
Case closed??????

retroom

 

Sorry I never did find much and still haven't bought new tires. I think I'm going to go with Toyo's because 1) they make 195/55's, 2) their tires typically weigh in around 18lbs vs. the 21-23lbs for others, and 3) they're very good tires.

 

205/55-16 will fit OK. It is a viable option- see posts #15 and #16 in this thread. Your results can vary.

Toyos are fine. They tend to run lighter but other tires can provide better wet or dry handling and more comfort for street driving. Everything comes at a price however. Toyos you can find at edgeracing.com.

Before you buy you can check with alex@tirerack.com for anything new in 195/55-16 or 205/55-16 at tirerack.com.

 

The Toyo T1-R in 195/55/16 has a diameter of 24.3 and a section width of 7.9. The Continental Contisportcontact 2 in 205/50/16 has a diameter of 24.4 and a section width of 8.4 and also weighs 18 pounds.

 

right on man . i'm very happy with the 50's.

 

lol it is funny how the tailspins start .

 

i'm switched to 205 10 15's and have now got 1,000,000,000 mls' on the odometer but they look bitchin'