Spoke with my friend at TireRack and asked about some options.

Ready to lose the RF Dunflops and move to something else.

Thinking Michelin PSS

205/45/17's on crown spokers now.

Told I could go to 215/45/17 (PSS) or 215/40/17 on something else.

Anyone gone this route, and if so, good/bad/ugly? Specific recommendations on 40 vs 45 on a 215?

Thanks.

 

215 45 17, havre had them on for 5 years, no issues no rubbing and my car is lowered. The ride is still better then it was with the run craps

 

I agree 100%. Eight years running and currently on my 3rd Mini, I always ditched RC's on day one. Enjoying 215's and never looked back.

 

For 1st Gen. - 215/40/17 and 18's.

For 2nd Gen - 215/45's are excellent size/choice.

If you are looking for a larger foot print for the road, and still staying with stock 17's this will not do it.....while it's a wider tire the actual foot print size on the road remains unchanged. With respect to stock size wheels, you would have to go up to 18's to gain a few more mm's.

Other factors to consider are increased wind resistance, road friction, higher heat and lower mpg's. With tires for a DD, wider is just not always better but does provide more tire manufacture options since the factory sizes are rather specific to the MINI brand = less choices.

 

I replaced my oem runflats with Michelin PSS in 215-45-17 and love them. The rate of wear on the PSS is kind of scary, but the ride, handling, and road noise are pretty amazing.

 

Subzero, would you think that the tires will last 20k miles, more/less? I've heard good things about them, and want to understand the longevity...

Thanks,
Mike

 

O went with the 215's on my hatch with no problems. I went 205 x 50's this time on my roadster. Toe, this about as far as I can go. I had a rubbing (just occasionally) about four times on a month, right side dips got me. But since going to a larger adjustable sway bar, no more dip problems. But also, I do watch out for dips. Ride really proved, with improved handling as well. I like the weird size tires.

Bill

 

On an R56 with stock suspension you can go with-

Either 205/45-17 ($181 and 20 lbs each) or 215/45-17 ($145 and 21 lbs) with no rubbing. Your choice, the 215/45-17 size costs less/ weighs more at Tirerack.com.

Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a comfortable street tire so it doesn't really matter which size you choose. Although it has a 300 treadwear rating the rubber is soft and won't last long for most owners, maybe 15,000 miles, but there is a tread wear warranty that you can consider.

225/45-17 is tall at 25.0" tire diameter and 205/50-17 is taller at 25.1".
Sizes like these are at risk for rubbing under load although some R56 owners report that it is usable. They will reduce wheel gap and reduce clearance, raise center of gravity and look a little oversized compared to OEM tires.

If you had really bad roads the 215/45-17 is a good choice, taller sidewall plus some clearance for bumps and ruts.

If you look at other Max Summer tires with a good blend of handling and ride comfort consider-

Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position 280 treadwear
205/45-17 $109 each, 23 lbs
215/45-17 $114 each, 24 lbs
Very good handling, slightly firmer ride
Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=162

Continental ExtremeContact DW 340 treadwear
205/45-17 $104 each, 19 lbs
215/45-17 $110 each, 20 lbs
Slightly better ride comfort, slightly less crisp handling
Tirerack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=148

On a budget
Sumitomo HTR ZIII 300 treadwear
215/45-17 $83 each, 23 lbs
Tirerack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=149

 

I run 215/45R17 PSS on my JCW in the summer and 215/45R17 Altimax Artics in the winter. The Altimax rub when loaded but the PSS never have (same rims). Officially the PSS is marginally bigger too.

 

I've got the 215-45-17 on crown spokes, Michelin PSS. No issues at all.

Winter is 195-55-16 Pilot Alpins.

 

You shouldn't have any issues with the 215/45/17 on a stock suspension R56.

 

+1 for Mich PSS in a 215/45-17.

 

Lowered on AC Schnitzer Springs running 215/45/17 Continental Extreme DW - rides better than ever with no issues whatsoever. Also ran 215/45/17's on my former R53 with Yokohama S.Drive, no rubbing issues with that application either.

 

215/45R17s Michelins on my last S. No problems at all.

 

Running 215/45-17 Conti DW's on my JCW with no issues. Great tire if you run in the rain. I use these for street and wet track days. Awesume in the rain but you do give up some stickyness on dry days but they are very predictable. Ride is much better then the Dunlop RF's. The Dunlop's were light years ahead of the Conti' RF's as far as ride and performance. The Dunlops are dam good ont he track to be honest and I ran mine 3 or 4 full days and then sold them for $400 and still had plenty left in them. The stiff side walls makes turn in far better than with Non-RFs. Since I track a lot in the PNW a good rain tire is mandatory. DW's out performed everything at the track on rainy MINI track day. Nothing else stuck as well and as predictable. Instructors were actually betting if I could get her slowed down or not for the hairpin after charging up the hill at 100MPH at the Ridge. I was worried a couple of lap too but they always found the required grip. I run the same size Nitto NT1's on dry track days. I need to actaully order another set ans these only have a couple more sessions in them. I have a place in AZ now and I would go strictly summer tires if I ran around down there year round.

 

Hey Mike! Honestly I'd be surprised for them to make 15k. Hate to say that since I love every other attribute of these tires. I have about 1500m to go before Discount Tire will rotate them, so I will get their opinion then and see how the tread warranty works.

Cheers!
Jon

 

Appreciate the advice. Did not pass state inspection today (expected), TireRack has shipped PSS 215/45/17 set to dealer who is mounting/balancing/installing no charge.

Will report back in a week after putting it through some usual driving.

 

I went with the Continental DWS in that size and have enjoyed the ride. They really cut down on the road noise.

 

I got the Conti's DW ( don't get DWS unless you got snow and don't change tires) 215/45/17

I feel like a black sheep because I actually quite miss my RF's sometimes and everyone here usually bashes them. Honestly I miss the stiffness while turning, it just felt so stable and I was reminded of that when I drove a loaner recently.

Would the 205's give me back some of that stiffness? Anyone run non RF that have has both 215 and 205 notice a difference? Is there something wrong with me??????

 

I roll 215/45 R 17 with not issues at all

 

215 pilot super sports all day long!

 

I hated the run flats on my r59, all 550 miles that I had them.

A question for the forum: Does anyone know of any deals on either Micheline Winter Tires or Blizzaks in a 215 x 45 x 17 size for my guy this winter? Thought that I'd start looking now.

Bill

 

Dumped my run flats when car was new with 9 miles on it. Been running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Sport Plus in 215/45/17 with stock MCS suspension with no problems at all.

Had a 2012 MCS loaner recently with those awful black bricks (a.k.a run flats) and I could not believe how horrible the ride was and how poor the grip was with the run flats!!

 

Work completed, tires on, 4 wheel alignment done, tensioner issue done, valve cover/oil leak done. Wow. Hat's off to Hendrick Mini (Charlotte) for terrific service, great deals and nice treatment. Ditto to Damon at Tire Rack - appreciate the advice, the price, and getting my tires in one freaking day!

Of course, going from RunCraps that were near bald, to these Michelins is a huge change just from old tire to new, so I'll give it some time. Sport suspension on this thing has always been both fun and nutty, and I do enjoy it, but have not yet put the tires through their paces. Much quieter, of course. Car does seem to be sitting higher but I think that's due to my loaner - Mini Coupe!

On that note, I had a Clubman S one day, and a Coupe the second day. Clubman had some decent grunt, even though it was auto. Nice burble even with that from the pipes.

Coupe is a hoot. Would not want to use it frequently like I do the Coop S, but was a fun ride. Underpowered base model and auto, so I can't fully judge.

Glad to have Astro back and with good shoes now, all set for another 20k miles hopefully.

TireRack explains a break in period, and I know not to gun the crap out of the thing for the first 100 miles or so, but really? Break in for tires? The story on their site is more about mold release agent used in the production of the tire - anyone had issues like this?

I doubt I could granny-drive for more than 20 miles.

 

Tires will grip less initially until the mold release wears off. Some tires are worse than others. More than one newbie autocrosser has bought their first r-compound tires and declared them to be terrible tires before being amazed by them after a few events. I scuff new tires before leaning on them. I hear it is a real issue with motorcycle tires.