I am looking to buy my first set of r spec tires, and I am having a difficult time finding tires that will fit my 17X7 1/2 rims. I've been running shaved high performance summer tires on these wheels and I know that I will not be buying new wheels as I already have to sets. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciatted

 

Khumo makes the Victoracer V700 in 225/45-17.

Hoosier has the A6 in 225/40-17 and 225/45-17 (former probably7 a better fit)

Yokhama Advan A048 is available in 215/45-17, 225/45-17, and 235/45-17.

Pirelli P Zero Corsa comes in 225/45-17

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup in 205/50-17 and 225/45-17

BFGoodrich just released the g-Force R1 in 225/45-17 and 235/40-17.

Hankook makes a 225/45-17 Z214

Toyo RA-1 comes in 235/45-17, 235/40-17, 205/40-17 and 205/50-17

That's all I'm aware of, but there may be something else out there. Check out Tirerack.com and frisbyracetire.com for prices.

Scott
90SM

 

How competitive have you been at autocrossing?
Have you been in Street Mod class before?

What are your current suspension upgrades?
What are your planned suspension upgrades?

R compound tires are certainly good for autocrossing.

To make full use of any tires you need to have more negative front camber about -2.0 to -2.4 degrees most of the time and especially in Street mod class. Otherwise you will be using the outer edges of your tires much more than you want and you'll wear them out too quickly.

If you have stock suspension then lowering springs and Koni Yellow shocks are good. To adjust rear camber usually you can use the adjustable lower rear control arms (lower pair only) and for the fronts you need adjustable or fixed camber plates. Fixed plates allow only one camber setting and it might be negative enough or not and might be different right to left. Adjustable can give you a range but is limited to your suspension upgrades and where they might hit things.

17" rims are not usually what most of us use in SM class.
Smaller than stock tire outer diameter helps gearing so many tires measure about 22.8" compared to 24.4". Your 2004 MCS has the taller gearing so smaller tires is best.

Tire selection for 17x7.5" rims is limited. 17x7.5 rims are not usually very light or you have to pay alot to get ones that are light. For 15x7 rims I paid about $149 each for Kosei K1 TS or for 949 racing 15x8 I paid about $130 each and they both are 13 pounds or less each.

At tirerack.com
For Kumho V710 there are no good sizes for 17" rims for the MINI.
For Kumho Victoracers
225/45-17 $185 each 23 lbs, 24.6" outer tire diameter
For Kumho V700
245/40-17 $195 each 24 lbs, 24.6" outer tire diameter
For Hoosier A6
225/40-17 $230 each 20 lbs, 23.9" outer tire diameter
225/45-17 $230 each 21 lbs, 24.5" outer tire diameter
245/40-17 $237 each 21 lbs, 24.5" outer tire diameter

For an endless budget the Hoosier A6 in 225/40 or 225/45 seems best.
Victoracers in 225/45-17 are OK and more durable but not as sticky and fast.

 

This is my first season running autocross. I don't have any suspension upgrades, or camber plates, but I am taking your advice from a previous thread and purchasing koni adjustables and camber plates sometime in the next month or two. In Charleston I came in second behind a heavily modified STI, and have placed well in the other autocrosses I have competed in. Also if I am able to save enough money this summer I will be buying a smaller set of wheels.

 

Are you planning any fender modifications? A friend of ours has run the Kumho 710 245/40R17, and on bumpy lots he's had some cutting issues. He's already pulled the plastic fenders off and cut the metal underneath. If you don't have enough room for your suspension to travel, you may ruin your 17's. I run 215/45R16's 710s on mine. I'm giving up 30mm of contact patch, but my gearing is lower and it pays off on tight courses. He and I often run neck and neck.

 

Why not keep the Kazara wheels for daily use and get 15x7 or 15x8 rims and use 225/45-15 tires for lowered gearing lighter weight and decent width?

Looks like-


15x8 949racing rims and Hoosier A6 225/45-15 tires
They will fit in the rear seat area with a jack and tools.

 

Currently your choices for competitive R-compound rubber are Kumho 710 and Hoosier A6. Both are available at Tire Rack, although not necessarily in your preferred 17" size. To be competitive you've got to find wheels that will work with some size (preferably small, less than 17") of one of these two tires.

 

Is there anywhere that I can get wheels for less than edgeracing.com? I already own two sets of wheels for the mini, and I don't know what kind of budget I will have when it comes time to finding a third set of wheels, unless I can find someone to give me more than $100 for the kazara's.

 

Try www.18racing.com