At what speed? Halve the speed or double the speed and I bet its off by a different amount.

 

Yea , speedos cant be off by an exact mph its a %, unless its off when the cars not moving, and that cant be corrected by tire size.

 

I'm running 205 50 16 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2's. Love them.

 

I've been running the Kumho Ecsta ASX 215/50/16's since last October. The ride is a lot softer, and even though its not too much detectable difference from the 195/155's, I like it cause the tires are just that much more taller to decrease the wheel gap. Another plus is that the speedo ratings are like 1% off so its just like having the stock tires but just wider! Here's a couple of pics, you can find a few more angles in my pic album. I plan to get some gram light 57d rims in white later on .....

 

I have the 16' bridge spokes. Currently with the stock tires. I would like to run a wider tire such as a 205, but what is the disadvantage? I mean why wouldn't mini go with a tire that wide to begin with, besides the obvious price difference. Do these wider tires wear differently because they are mounted on more narrow rims? Any input would be appriciated.

 

I'm thinking my next tires may be PE2s. What do you particularly like about them?

 

I have no idea why MINI uses such weird sizes, which no one else in the world uses. Just one of those quirks.

205/50-16 works pretty well, its slightly shorter than stock so your speedo is a little more optimisic, but I've had no problem with them for the last 40k miles, on 3 different MINIs.

I've never been concerned about running 205 wide tires, that's what comes with 17" and 18" wheels.

 

My speedo is off by 4%.... 2mph at 50, 3mph at 70

 

You mean you notice the difference of the 195/55s being 24.4" in diameter to the 215/50s being 24.5? Wow, that's a good eye!

 

Don't forget the wider your tire, the worse it is in the snow.

 

Will I have any trouble running 205s or even 215s on my stock S-Winders, not sure what the with of the rim, I'm assuming they are 16x6.5.

Right now I think I going 205/55, either Pirelli PZero Nero M&S, or Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position, leaning towards the later.

 

My car is running the stock r84's for the r53, which is 16x6.5. 215/50's work

You're damn right, that .1" is awesome! Wheel gap shortened

 

Stock Crown Spoke Alloys: 205/45 R17

 

Um, I guess you missed the title of the thread.

 

My BAD!!!

 

I have had the Potenza's on other cars and they have worked real well. I am also in the market for 16" tires so all info here is appreciated.

have you seen the 460 rating with traction A and temp A

also good in the snow - read the reviews from the 15 Mini owners

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e1=yes&place=2

 

Ah but the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position are traction AA temp A tread wear 400. Also they are the best ranked UHP AS

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e1=yes&place=6

 

Good info - I had seen those but thinnest they come in is 215 which is wider than I want - I think that's part of the reason they aren't great in the snow.


a Mini review off of tirerack

"i chose these tires as i wanted a decent all weather tire after switching out of the dreaded run-flats...light snow in nj today and these tires are pretty useless in anything harder than water. Coming up the slightest hill (more like a 5 degreee bump) and they had no traction...felt like having SO-3s (which i tried once in chicago winter!)..this is not an all weather tire..by a long way"

"Very quiet. Practically silent on new pavement. Balance perfectly. No noticeable difference in cornering from the max performance summer tires they replaced. Not great in the snow, lightness of the car could have alot to do with that, but will get you home if your careful. Would definitely buy again."

 

They come in 205/55 R16

 

Have you noticed a big difference in the ride from your 195 55 16? How's your handling changed?

Did you consider 205 55 16? I'm running on my stock RFs. I feel like I'm breaking a tooth whenever I hit a bump or sewer lid. I've heard good things about the PE2s.

 

I'm looking at getting 205/50/16 Goodyear Eagle Ultr Grp G3 for a dedicated Winter tire, when Summer 2010 rolls around I'd like to get New 16" Wheels (possibly Enkei's), and a 215/50/16 Summer Tire. Anyone have any suggestions??

 

I run 205x50rx16's and they are 5mph slower as per my gps unit. Same as another further up the thread reported. The highway speed signs confirm it as well.

 

Forgot to add that the 205x50rx16's are much quieter and smoother a ride than the 195x55x16 runflats. I have a dedicated set of winter tire/wheel combination's, so messing around with all season is not a necessity. Since I like the cornering, although not a track person, the 50 profile really helps. The 55 sidewall would make a softer ride, just not corner as wel, but if you do not push the Mini hard you probably would not notice it.