I want to fit 215/45/17 tires on my R56S but have no idea how they will look like. Can anyone that has fitted such tires please post pics here so i can make sure of what im gonna be doing. Thanx in advance

 

Here ya go! Stock suspensions.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rmohns...7633205777508/

And same wheels but blacked out:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rmohns...7633205777508/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rmohns...7633205777508/

 

Thanx for the help BossyR56! Its kind too tall for me. looks like a 4x4 What are my options in lowering it?

 

I like fatter tires on mine for smoother ride. I plan on putting some lowering springs that will lower 1-1.4 inches 😀

 

You dont prefer coilovers instead of springs?

 

I don't track my car. I had coilovers on my 350z it gave me a good stance but for 1.5k I don't think it was worth it. I drive my mini daily and don't need the softness/stiffness adjustment for that matter.

 

17x7.5 +40 square

Fronts with 10mm spacers and rears with 3mm

 

are u running coilovers or lowering springs

 

Ohlins

 

Your car looks incredible

 

Thanks. As of Sunday, she is gone though.

 

ra2fanatic are those runflat tires?

 

Haha...runflats...that's funny. You'll never seen me with runflats, ever. They would certainly be one of the first things I swap off the car.

They're Extreme Summer tires: BFG g-Force Rivals 215/45/17

 

Why don't you like runflats?

 

Lack the grip I want and very noisy. If you would have driven my MINI it is probably the flattest corner you would have ever taken.

 

I'm putting 215/45/17 Michelin Primacy's on some 17x8.25 +25 wheels this Friday, I'll post here when they go on. Stock R53

 

Which Runflat tires have you tested that gave you this impression?

 

My 335i had runflats, my MINI had runflats. I think that's enough.

 

Dont you think that they help when one has a punkture?

 

I had run flats when I bought my '05MCS, but hated them immediately. I bought some Continental high end, but they wore out way too fast. Now have Goodyear Eagle 215-45-17 and love them! Smooth, quiet, look great, and handle way better than the continentals 205's

 

Of the 5 1/2 yrs of owning the MINI, not once did I ever have a punctured tire. It can obviously happen at any point in time, but tires are cheap, doesn't bother me if I have to replace them because of a puncture.

MINI's are amazing handling vehicles, they deserve to maximize their capabilities whether street or track, and I wasn't going to let tires take away from that fun.

 

I like the stock runflats on my MINI, They feel just fine, the stiffer sidewall actually improves handling, though the greater weight affects the handling negatively on rough roads. Fortunately, the roads are pretty smooth around where I live.

That said, I will not replace them when they are worn out as they cost much more than standard tires.

 

I'll never understand the logic of sacrificing grip, ride comfort, longevity, and the higher upfront cost of runflats, for what amounts to a slightly better chance you'll be able to drive a tiny bit further with a flat. Runflats only "work" with certain punctures like little screws and the like, as long as they're not in the sidewall--while every puncture I've ever had involved significant sidewall damage. AAA/USAA/Mini roadside etc all have free towing and are far safer than driving on punctured runflats, and swapping a spare on the side of the road. I know in Mini's case, they offer runflats because they couldn't fit a full size spare, but I don't run spares in any of my cars due to the availability of roadside assistance and the danger of spare installation on the side of the road. I've been in some crazy remote areas of CO, MO, etc, and had roadside assistance within the hour in most cases.

Runflats are essentially a handicap 100% of the time, for the far less than 1% chance of puncture. It's like wearing a full race helmet from the moment you get out of bed.

The tires are the only parts of your car that actually interact with the ground, and I won't compromise every aspect of my tire's qualities.

/diatribe

 

Living in CO I would think you would understand the benefits of having runflats, especially for snow tires. Like, in the middle of winter, at -10, in a blinding snow storm and you pick up a nail (yes, a nail in the middle of winter ). No wait for AAA or anything else. Just drive until you get to somewhere warm.

Ask me how I know

+1 for RFT snows and a Harbor Freight 12v plug in air compressor.

I am never going to ruin a ski vacation for a flat tire.