Wanting to put on Aftermarket Rims and Non-Runflats, but I live in Houston texas and our roads are terrible. Wanting to get a meaty tire to absorb some of the potholes I am unable to dodge. I currently have the 17s with runflats and they ride..so...rough.

I saw a mini at the dealer while getting my oil changed with 16s on it, and it didnt look as bad as a I thought it would


My car: 2012 Mini Cooper S

 

A lot of people use 205/55/16, which is almost 25" diameter.
I wouldn't go taller than this.
Stock is about 24 - 24.5" depending on which stock tire you're talking about.

 

Silly question, do you lose any handling going with a meatier tire? Do you still run Z rated?

 

A lot of the roads here in CO get beat up every winter, and I can't imagine running low-profile run-flats on an already crashy Mini (much less the 18" I've seen).

You will lose a little of the transitional sharpness (ie, turn-in/go kart feeling some describe) with a taller sidewall tire, unless you go with a very stiff sidewall, low treadwear tire. But that would defeat some of your purpose in downsizing to 16". The taller the tire (on the front axle), the higher your gear ratio as well (not something I'd want for this car).

You might try just swapping the run flats out with a "real" 17" tire and trying that, before downsizing wheels entirely.

 

Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 is a good compromise for a more compliant ride.

 

I agree with hsautocrosser on the Conti's

I've tried 205/55/16 's on my 2009 Clubman when it was lowered about 3/4" and they rubbed in the rear only and only when I had three people in the car (including the driver). They rode pretty nice, and handled okay. However, I've since gone to Conti's in 215/45-17. They ride and handle great.

 

Thank you all very much. Saves me some cash on wheel changes. Only tires that way.

 

I'm running 205/50/16 16x8 JNC Wheels no rub I'm not lowered...

 

Thanks!

JNC WHeels. Will check them out.

 

I live in the Meyerland area here in town and run 205/55-16 tires and I'm lowered on coilovers. I get some rub on big dips but I need to raise the car a bit if it will ever stop raining. I run Bridgestone Potenza S-04s which are way better than the Bridgestone run flats that came on it. I used to run 205/50-16 RE760s but my girlfriend has even commented on how much better the car rides on the S-04s. It grips way better too since it's a higher performance tire.