Hi there

I need to replace my OEM runflat Pirelli tires 205/45/17...
I'd like a nice japanese High performance tires. Have this in mind because of price/performance (www.edgeracing.com))

*Toyo Proxes 4
*Falken FK452
*Toyo Proxes T1-R
*Falken ZE512

Which one of the ones listed above is the best one for you?...
Also, what are the pros and cons of changing the OEM 205/45/17 to 215/45/17 or 215/40/17?... More or less MPG? Performance? Handling? Ride? Rubbing issues? Price/benefit?.. etc.

Thank you
Joseph

 

I run 215-45-17, a tad wider, and more side wall. Provides more rim protection from pot holes, and also fills up the wheel well better.

Other tires I would consider in 215-45-17 are:
General Exclaim UHP---but kinda soft side wall, but light weight, and quiet, $73
Kumho Ecsta SPT--wonderful tire, decent to good side wall and cornering traction, $84
Continental ExtremeContact--for all season performance, this is the one, $87
Yokohama AVS ES100--outstanding tire, but is noisy, $97
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3--outstanding tire, but starting to get really pricey, $132

All prices are from www.tirerack.com

I ran Parada Spec 2 last, great tire, but way too noise, and the sidewall was too stiff for non track days in the 40 series, I could feel the bumps in my kidneys . This time around, I went with new wheels, light weight, and decent summer performance tires that were rated to be quiet and that have a softer sidewall for a more comfortable around town ride as I am not tracking my car anymore. I put on the General Exclaim UHP, wonderful tire, but the side wall is a bit softer than I had hoped, but bumping up the pressure to 38psi helped, so now I am really happy....and so is my wife.

 

I replaced my runflats with Kumho Escsta MX...Sticky Sticky. Also, I went with 215X40/17. The diameter and circumferance are very close to the OEM tire. According to my GPS the difference is 2 MPH on the speedo. If the speedometer shows 55 MPH I'm actually doing 53 MPH. Not a bad trade off.

 

I had the Yoko ES100 215/45's and like the other sizes in that tire. They do become noisy close to the end of their life. The Yoko rep was at the dragon this year and they are replacing the ES100 with the S-drive. I specifically asked and one of the things they are fixing with the S-drive will be the noise level.

I'm not sure when they'll be released or if they have. The rep said the sizes and price will be comparable to the ES100.

 

I'd blow off all the Nippon tires and get the BF Goodrich G-Force Sports 215/45 ZRs because these tires will transform your MINI into a whole new mad-handlin car. Quiet, sticky, pliable ride, good rain tracking, cool tread pattern, Z-rated all for around $100/tire. The first time in my life I've been in love with a tire haha

I second the F1 but man are they going up up up!

 

As tires width , Some says 17 x 7 is for 205 and 17 x 7.5 for 215 width. I am a liitle confused as some tires shops says 215 is not recommended for 17 x 7. Pls appreciate some user comments pls.

 

Thanks for your comments!
About the rim with size, tires allow you to put them in a 1cm tolerance, for example, you can use those 215 in 17x7, 17,7.5 and 17x8. you can check this going to the factory's website and check for the tire's specs.

About the kind of tire, I got Toyo Proxes 4 on my '95 Eclipse gs. They are awesome. Great Ultra High Performance All Season tire. My dad had Toyo Proxes T1-S and they are the best, but they have been replaced with the even better T1-R, pure performance, and look awesome!
I like Toyo because they are high quality japanese performance tires.
I'd consider Falken and BFG...

 

Also keep in mind if you are going to lower your car the 215/45 may rub. I run 215/45-17's BFG KDW2's. They are a great all around tire, look great, run way smoother the the run flats, but have a tendency to make noise. I don't mind the noise because all I hear is my SC whine and my exhaust anyway .

 

As the 40 or 45 is the aspect ratio, meaning percentage of width, if you get 215/40-17's your overall tire size will be marginally smaller than the OEM 205/45-17's. You may have slightly (very minor difference in roll out) improved acceleration, and more RPM at a given speed. The 215/45-17's will be marginally bigger than OEM, so you will run slightly less RPM at a given speed.

Any of these choices will actually improve your ride quality, handling, pretty much everything because by ditching the run-flats you are removing unnecessary unsprung weight and also getting softer sidewalls. On a lowered car I prefer the look of 215/40-17.

 

Thanks for all the feedback and comments, cheers

 

Many of the 215/40/15 tires do not meet MINI's specification for maximum load.

When you consider that the MINI's ability to put an incredible force onto a single tire while cornering hard, you may not want a tire that did not meet MINI's minimum standard.

 

He's putting on 17's, not 15's...........

I have Parada Spec 2's on my 03 MCS, and I just bought some Kumho Ecsta's and some S lites for my day to day driving. The Kumhos are very affordable and extremely quiet. I'm saving the Parada's for track days. I bought the 215/4/17's, and that should make my speedo right again. The 205/45 Spec 2's were about 2 mph slow also............