Need more meat/traction IOT increase performance. Suggestions are awaiting: 👌

PS: , No runflatz😡

 

What size wheels do you have? What year of MINI? Which type (Hardtop, Hardtop S, Clubman, etc.) do you have? Intended use--track, street, dry only, cold weather capable, mud and snow, other?

Options that caught my eye from Tire Rack for 205/45-17 (size picked at random) for just all-out grip--
Bridgestone RE-11
Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo

Note that the Trofeo is a "streetable track tire". It will be worse than useless on snow (e.g.) and useless when the temps get below about 40 degrees; it will wear out in fairly short order, and it is probably going to be noisy and at least somewhat harsh. But it will grip like nobody's business....

So, what again were you looking for?

 

^
or maybe the newer RE-11a in 215/45/17 (a little wider, a smidge taller, but still fits well).
If willing to go a little harsher, noisier, and slightly less rain-friendly, the Direzza ZII Star Spec
comes in both 205 and 215/45/17.

If looking for a longer lasting daily driver type summer tire (max performance rather than extreme
performance), then the Michelin Pilot Super Sport or even the Continental ExtremeContact DW,
both also available in either size, would be great choices.

 

I'm mostly looking for optimum traction, mostly w/wider footprint, and without effecting gear ratios: I.e. Taller or shorter tires. As close to stock as possible, maintaining stock specs..

I used to have a tire to gear ratio calculator but lost the link. Anyone know of a similar link?

 

I like this tire size calculator: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php

My Mini came with 195/55-16 tires and now I am running 215/45-17 Continental Extreme Contact DW tires on a 17x7.5 +40 rim. They fit and look great. They are a maximum performance summer tire so have great grip and are fairly long lasting. They give a bit of a soft ride which is nice for comfort though have lost a little of that go kart quick initial turn in feel compared to the OE run flats. Michelin Pilot Super Sports are another popular tire in the maximum performance category.

 

Glad you posted this


I'm thinking of going from 16" to 17" 195/55 r16 vs 205/45 r17 very close in O.D. the 17's are a little wider. Wider footprint, more traction.

 

Neonsteve, Thank you.. That is the calculator i was referring to. Used it when I was running my SC Tacoma... Awesome👍