Good day all –

I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who is actually running – or has attempted to run – 205/50R17s all around on an MCS (or on a Justa I suppose) with stock suspension. I’ve seen a few old posts that were a bit ambiguous and would appreciate more current opinions.

Why would I want to run this size when the stock 205/45-R17 size is plentiful?
I have TWO separate sets of 4 mounted Blizzak WS70 205/50R17 snow tires (non-Runflat) in storage, purchased in 2011 but each set virtually new with no evidence of dry cracking and only one winter’s use, that were not sold along with the cars they were originally purchased for. I’d like to unmount and repurpose these snow tires on new 17x7 ASA AR1s for a few seasons (until the winter rubber either ages out or wears out, whichever comes first).

I’m currently running stock 16" Rib Spoke Style 1115 wheels and 195/55R16 Conti ProContact SSRs (meh . . . ) with plenty of rubber left, and my plan would be to keep running these 16s in the spring/summer/fall and the 17s in winter, but eventually swap out the wheels and run the 17" AR1s most of the time with new 'All-Season tires' (perhaps Driveguards) and then throw some new 16” snows (probably Hakkas) on the 16" stock wheels for winter use.

I’ve run the calculations (see thumbnails below) and get the following for 195/55R16 vs. the larger 205/50R17.and the following for 205/45R17 vs. 205/50R17.
I’m thinking that 205/50R17s should work just fine (seems to be plenty of 'extra' room in the wheel arch) but would appreciate real world thoughts from the group.
FWIW, TireRack (where I purchased the Blizzaks and where I'd purchase the new ASA 17" wheels) views this as an 'aggressive fitment' that - while not necessarily recommended - would perhaps work.

Thoughts?

Thanks!!

 

I'm running 205/50R17 TigerPaws on my stock 17" wheels and I have no fitment issues. Ride quality is better than the runflats but that really goes without saying...

 

Thanks a lot for the response. Much appreciated!!!
I wonder if my SNOW TIRES will actually provide a better ride than the run flats?!

 

...

 

To close the loop, I mounted the 205/50R17 Blizzaks on a set of R112 JCWs, swapped them onto the car last night, and to ensure fitment and TPMS functionality before winter comes, I'm running them for a day or so in the 95 degree DC summer heat.
As validated by GeneralSpecific above, all is indeed well, no fitment issues, no rubbing, etc. and the ride is at least as smooth and quiet as the stock 16" Conti Runflats.
Will swap them back out tomorrow - secure in the knowledge that there will be NO SNOW in DC now that I'm otherwise prepared.

 

IMO,

20" and 19" are way too large for a gen 1 Mini.

18" is more of a show size, but 17" fits the Mini just right
and the 16" gives the best ride.

Its your car, so spend your money wisely.

I purchased light weight 17" wheels and all season tyres
which gives a very nice ride.