Hello everyone,

I ditched the 18" run flats that came with my 2014 Countryman sport package and got a set of:

225/55R-17 Kumho Ecsta 4x (26.75" outer diameter)
17x8 moda MD17 BDC

from Tirerack.

This raised my car by over an inch, and now gives me plenty of clearance for the massive Manhattan potholes. Not to mention the superior ride comfort and reduced noise. For those of you looking to change tires, this setup is highly recommended. Wheels look good, you still have plenty of clearance around the wheel well, you might even have another 1" diameter overall to spare.

Tirerack says this tire/wheel is untested, not recommended, so just thought I would share my experience. Here's a picture of the resulting ride height, just over 8" clearance. I can now put my head down there!

If anyone's looking for my original set of run flats and sport wheels, they are on eBay.

Just wanted to verify that it's absolutely worth it. Really feels like a different car, a better car, now. I just had to get an extending lug wrench from Amazon ($14), a 1.5 ton scissor jack, battery powered impact wrench (from Harborfreight), and the $55 tire repair kit with air compressor Slime package on Amazon.

The lug bolts are M14x1.25, but on these moda wheels, the locking tire lock bolts that came with my car didn't fit. The head was too big. So I got a set from ECS, the internal star configuration, and now all good.

Thanks to all of you who shared tire/wheel sizes and how much bigger I could go with my tires.

 

Any pictures on the overall new look?

 

Thanks for posting - this is a cheap/easy way to get that extra lift!

I'd love to see photos as well.

 

Some photos of the installed tires. Here you go!

 

Do you have the link to the eBay listing. PM me
If you and in the NY area.

 

i am running 225/50R18 michelin pilot super sports (26.9 inch OD) during the summer and 205/70R16 dunlop grandtrek SJ6 (27.3 inch OD) during the winter ... i have the sport suspension, so started ~10mm lower

the 205/70R16 were the largest i could get in the wheel wells without rubbing, 215/70R16s rubbed

 

Have the same size 225/55R17 non run flat . First upgrade we did. Even looks better with that size

 

We have both summer and winter tires (non run flats, the best improvement we made to the car) in the 225/50 R18 size...no rubbing at all and like the appearance of the larger tires.

 

I thought I would update this thread after doing a lot of looking but not finding confirmation on this size fitting. Up until now the largest tire (posting on this thread) I've read fitting is 205/70/16 (27.3" x 8.1") and I went for a 215/65/17 (28" x 8.5"). These were my goals:

1. Biggest tire possible
2. No cutting fender plastic
3. Stock suspension
4. Stock wheels (17" split spoke)
5. The tire must be an All Terrain (MN winters and I only wanted 1 set of wheels/tires)

The winner.... 215/65/17 Falken Wild Peak AT3

It's super close but it fits and it doesn't rub. My (wifes) car: 2012 Countryman S auto/FWD (totally stock) Next up is to coat the stock wheels gloss black.
Hope this helps someone out

 

Did you remove those from an F-350?

 

They look great....it will be interesting to see just how much weight you are able to carry without rubbing during suspension articulation...

 

LOL, not from an F350 but close.

Thanks TwoWings so far i haven't had any issues. Had the car loaded with myself, wife, dog, the old tires, and luggage and no bottoming out. I have a truck for driving that requires me to tow/haul any real weight. Driveway curbs present no issue at full lock. Surprisingly the only rub I have is the small mud flaps located in front of the rear wheel. The rear tires just barely touch at full droop. I only know that because I had to put the car on jack stands to get the wheels powder coated. Otherwise you would have to drive over something fast enough to almost get airborne before anything rubs.

I created a thread showing the updated look with powder coated wheels if anyone is interested: All Terrains for your R60

 

Do you think it could be a tad bit wider? Like maybe up to 225?

 

2012 S ALL4
225/60-16 on BMW 3 series wheels.

 

I talked to the Technician at the tireshop, and he showed me his concern...he went out to the car and turned the steering wheel as far as it would go in both directions, he was concerned about the clearance between the rear corners of the tire and the back of the wheel well. With the current factory 225/45/18s there is barely enough room to put your hand back there. He's concerned that in a tight turn over a harsh road there is not enough clearance and the AT tire could crash the wheel well. I'd like to keep the 18" turbofans. Can you all who got the extra big tires go check this please and let me know if the tire touches the back corners and what size you are using?
Thanks!

 

I have been running big tires on my 2012 all4 since 2012.
225/50R18 non rf michelin pss summers.
205/70R16 non rf dunlop grand trek sj6 winters.

I went to my friendly neighborhood family owned and run tire shop. I explained what i wanted to do. So they looked in their used tire area and found a pair of 225/50R18s. These are 1 inch OD larger than the OEM fitment 225/45R18s at 26.9 inches. We dismounted 2 tires and fitted the /50s. Then installed the wheels on the front axle. First with the front axle off the ground, lock to lock showed no rubbing. Next set the car on the ground and again lock to lock no rubbing. Last, put 4 each 200+ pound people in the car plus 2 more sitting on the boot lip so the car was sitting on the snubbers, bottomed out. Again, lock to lock with no rubbing.
Now put the /50s on the rear axle and checked clearance with the axle off the ground, on the ground and on the snubbers. All with no rubbing. So i ordered a set of 225/50R18 Michelin pilot super sports.

Next for my winter tires. I bought mini oem 6.5x16 et 46 alloys as fitted to mini cm one models in Europe. Being narrower than the 18 inch wheels, i figured 205s would be a good size. A search for used pairs of 205/xxR16 tires turned up 205/70s, 205/60s and 205/75s. Also 1 215/70 was found.
I had previously found 205/70R16 winter studless ice and snow dunlops that i wanted so we started with that size. Same routine as with the 18binch tires. The /70s fit with no rubbing. The /75s rubbed on the rear axle when the axle was in the air at the rear of the wheel well. No rubbing on the front axle.
The 215/70 rubbed at full lock on the front axle when bottomed.
So 205/70R16s were ordered. They are 27.3 inch OD, 1.4 inches larger than the oem 18 inch tires.
When the new tires were fitted, first test was to push hard in some corners to see if tire deflection would cause any rubbing. None was found on either the 16s or 18s.
So i have been runnin225/50R18s in the summer and 205/70R16s in the winter.

My sister also has a 2012 all4 and changed to 215/55R17s from the stock 205/55R17s to get off the runflats. She has no rubbing.

 

Thank you BMWr606! That was a very thorough and "scientific" explanation. Looking at the Geolanders, Falken Wildpeaks, Vredesteins none of them are coming in the 225/50/18s.
So unless the tire wideness doesn't come into play there should be no problem with this:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...QTPXL&i1_Qty=4
225/55R18 102V XL 400 A A 1,874 lbs 51 psi 10/32" 24 lbs 6-8" 7" 7.2" 27.8"
Maybe the 245s are a little wide?
245/45R18 100Y XL 400 A A 1,764 lbs 51 psi 10/32" 25 lbs 7.5-9" 8" 8" 26.7" 780

235/50/18 Falkens seem to be the closest https://www.americastire.com/buy-tir...peak-a-t-trail
OVERALL DIAMETER 27.3 . RIM WIDTH RANGE 6.0 - 8.5 Tire width 9.6. In your opinion which of these would fit? Was there still room lock to lock in your view?
update:
OOoook after rereading your description a few more times (" Last, put 4 each 200+ pound people in the car plus 2 more sitting on the boot lip so the car was sitting on the snubbers, bottomed out. Again, lock to lock with no rubbing.") I think the quatrac pro 225/55/18 will do just fine and so would the 235 Falkens.
Of course you input is still welcome. Thanks!

 

I have thought of these, but their snow performace is nowhere near the dunlops i run now (i have there on my 1997 gmc v6 5speed 4x4).

BFGoodrich ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 in size 215/65R16.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...6KO2&tab=Sizes

 

Thank you, I looked at the BF goodrichs for a while and then found they don't fit the 18's.Trying not to switch out tires and rims each season.
BMWr606 based on your information and comparing it to the tire specs .... I made a chart...

Rim width Rim Width Measure sect width tread width OD

*EfficientGrip Goodyear runflat currently on the 18"d turbo fans (stock size)
225/45R18
91Y SL
Star RSC BMW, Run Flat
340 A A 1,356 lbs 51 psi 10/32" 27 lbs 7-8.5" 7.5" 8.9" 8.6" 25.9"
This tire is fatter than the below tires. This is why when the Tech was checking he got worried. If he had been testing against a less fat tire then he would have found more room to work with. Secondly the measure rim width... My theory is when measuring rim is narrow the tire will have a wider section width. When the stock rim is wider then the tire section width won't be so bulgy and that will relax the Overall Diameter. Critique welcome.

Michelin Pilot sport A/S 3 (stock size)
225/45R18
95V XL
5-Rib Tread Design
500 AA A 1,521 lbs 50 psi 10/32" 25 lbs 7.5-8.5" 7" 8.8" 7.6" 25.9"

BMWr606 upgrade tires
225/50R18
95V SL
5-Rib Tread Design
500 AA A 1,521 lbs 44 psi 10/32" 26 lbs 7-8" 6" 9.1" 7.6" 26.9"


Falken Wildpeak Trail
225/55R18 SL 4 98V BSW 6.0 - 8.0 7.0 9.2 f 27.6 On a larger Turbo Fan rim width (7.5) the OD should lessen by about a half inch? Oh wait Air Pressure can make tire inflate to the full overall diameter???? Possible fit should test. Section width may be too fat by an 1/2 inch. Possible fit should test. Section width may be too fat by a whole inch. May rub on full lock and bottom out.
225/60R18 SL 4 100H BSW 6.0 - 8.0 6.5 9.0 f 28.7 On a larger Turbo Fan rim width (7.5) the OD should lessen by about a half inch?
235/50R18 SL 4 97V BSW 6.5 - 8.5 7.5 9.6 f 27.3 . Possible fit should test. Section width may be too fat by a whole inch. May rub on full lock and bottom out.
F

Vredstein
225/45R18 (stock size) . Quatrac Pro
95Y XL
400 A A 1,521 lbs 51 psi 10/32" 23 lbs 7-8.5" 7.5" na 7.4" 26"

225/55R18 Difference is small enough but must be confirmed (may be too tall though width is good)
102V XL
400 A A 1,874 lbs 51 psi 10/32" 24 lbs 6-8" 7" na 7.2" 27.8" . On a larger Turbo Fan rim width (7.5) the OD should lessen by about a half inch? This may NOT fit. Must confirm.

245/45R18 . Difference is small enough as compared to the Stock EfficentGrips and Hankook Pike on Thomas picture above.
100Y XL
400 A A 1,764 lbs 51 psi 10/32" 25 lbs 7.5-9" 8" na 8" 26.7" . On a smaller Turbo Fan rim width (7.5) the section width should increase and the OD should increase by about a 1/4 inch? This will fit.

235/50R18 Quatrac 5
101V XL400 A A 1,819 lbs 51 psi 10/32" 28 lbs 6.5-8.5" 7.5" 7.7" 27.3" On a larger Turbo Fan rim width (7.5) the OD should lessen by about a half inch? This will fit.

 

Comparison based on BMWr606 description:
Hankook Pike https://tiresize.com/tires/Hankook/I-Pike-Winter.htm
The dimensions are similar to the above tires for the 18" rim.
225/60R16
102T XL BSW rim sizes 6-8" Measure Rim 6.5" section 8.8" NATread Overall Diameter 26.7"

P215/70R16 Uniroyal Tiger Paw ( "rubbed at full lock on the front axle when bottomed"BMWr606) . 99T SL 660 A B 1,709 lbs 44 psi 11.5/32" 28 lbs 5.5-7" 6.5" 8.7" NATread 27.9" .

215/70R16 . Cooper evolution
100T SL 606 A B 1,764 lbs 44 psi 9.5/32" 24 lbs 5.5-7" 6.5" 8.5" 6.2" 27.7"

"rubbed on the rear axle when the axle was in the air at the rear of the wheel well."
205/75R16C . Continental
110/108R None 2,335 lbs 70 psi 13/32" 31 lbs 5.5-6.5" 5" 8" NA 28.1"

*Dunlop . 205/70R16 ("fit with no rubbing")
97Q SL None 1,609 lbs 44 psi 13/32" 26 lbs 5-7" 6" 8.2" NA 27.3"* 6"measure rim and 8.2 section width. Something close on the 7.5 rim may allow some reduction in OD.

Geolander a/t
225/55R18
98H SL 600 A B 1,653 lbs 51 psi 11/32" 29 lbs 6-8" 7" 9.3" 7.4" 27.7"

 

The main reason i got a set of 16 inch wheels for winter was to be able to run a taller sidewall for pothole survival.

If you are getting these tires for winter use, any winter tire will outperform an AT tire.

Used 17 inch wheels for R60 are cheaply available.

 

How does it handle with this large a tire dimension change? https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?whe...cl=50mm&sr=0mm
gives a warning that the negative scrub can cause a change in handling from stock. "Negative scrub radius (about -9 mm). Scrub radius will be changed by -9 mm, this may affect the car's handling. Please check manufacturer recommendations. Please be aware that calculated value is approximate."

I'm looking at 235/50/18 falkens which have a smaller OD than yours 27.3 but are about .75 inch fatter.

 

Its an AT, it doesnt handle as well as a summer tire of even an all season. That being said I have not noticed a big difference in handling but if you like ripping your car around an AT tire is not for you. I have noticed a drop in mph, 3-4 due to the extra rolling resistance.

 

Hi, Been on the Subaru forum (the Crosstrek has a whole 147 HP). The Subi people absolutely love the Falken WildPeak Trail. They are putting 60's on their 17 in wheels. The WildPeak Trail 235/60 is about 34 lbs. 4 lbs less than a comparable BF Goodrich. My current Efficient Grips are 27lbs. A WildPeak at the same dimensions runs the same weight as the EfficeintGrips! The Quatrac would be 24lbs. I'm kinda leaning toward the lighter weight tire 225/55/18 Quatrac or even the 235/50/18, because I really do like ripping my car around. But those WildPeaks are really nice looking.
So lighter vs. heavier?

 

I wouldnt mull about 3 lbs on a tire too much, as you could shed twice that with new rims if you desired. Its all less weight than the ridiculous runflats anyway! The larger diameter will kill the most acceleration anyway