It's been a few years since I autocrossed the mini. I was most happy with 205/50/15's on my 15x7.5 SSR's but I have some 16x8 Volk ce-28n's as well.

As the gearing on the 2003 MCS is rather tall I rarely had to go to 3rd gear and then not for long and in most cases did't come close to running out of 2nd.

Now that i'll be running again I'd like to get some feed back on what might be the best tire and wheel combo.

I'm thinking about three different sizes of the Hankook R-S3 v2.

1. 195/50/15 at $99, 18 lbs and 22.6 inch dia. it is the cheapest lightest and smallest diameter. Tire and wheel wt combo = 28 lb

2. 205/45/16 at $117, 20 lbs and 23.2 inch dia. it is tied for most $, is the tallest and in combination with my 12 lb 16x8's will weigh in at 4 lb heavier than #1 for a total of 32 lb.

3. 225/45/15 at $117, 21 lbs and 23.0 inch dia. it is tied for most $, is the heaviest tire and I think, to be more effective, would require me to buy at least some 15x8's for the front. I'd get the 6UL's

What are your thoughts?

 

I personally can't speak for the 15" sizes. But Wilcox is running the 225s on a 15x8. That would be the direction I would head.

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We're not in STX, but my theory is more tire and a wider wheel is better. I'm thinking of trying out RS-3 V2s, I'm looking at the 225/45-15. We only get 6.5" wheels to put them on.

We had Rivals in that size last year, the only problem we had was running out of revs on fast courses. Though the difference between them and the 225/45-16 we run now is only 2.5mph (57 vs 59.5mph).

Any reason you're going with the RS-3? I'm thinking of trying them out mainly because my competitors are doing well on them. I tried ZII and Rivals this year, there's not a lot between those, I went with the ZII, they may be slightly better and were in the taller size.

 

Wider tires are very fuel consuming, the ride gets harsher.
I am for the 205/55/17 .A 55 is more comfy then a 45. Certainly no run flats.
Michelin or Continental

 

I didn't mention that my MCS is an R53. It pulls almost 70 in 2nd, on stock diameter tires. The car is lowered and the only way to maybe put a taller than 205/50/16 or or taller and wider than a 215/45/16 is to raise the car to the coilovers max height. Also, any thing 24 inches in diameter or taller hurts my gearing. These will be autocross only tiresand the car will need to be low.

v10, I'm pretty sure Craig is on 15x9's and if I thought they would fit my car, that's what I would do. 15x8's with 225/45/15's will be tough enough.

Maybe I'll look into The new ZII Star Specs, that TR has now, though the Hankooks are the favored tire on concrete, at least. All my local events are on asphalt.

 

Now that you say that I believe you're right. He's posted his wheel setup on here at some point. I think the 15x8s with 225s would be fine. There is a R53 here locally in DC that is running that setup and they seem to fit just fine.

There aren't a whole lot of tires in the size we run so it made our decision pretty easy to go with the ZIIs. When these wear out I'll probably pick up whatever the newest star spec since it looks like they're making our size again. Now I just have to figure out what to do with these other sets of mostly worn out ZIIs

 

Fuel consumption and comfort are not on the list of concerns when choosing autocross tires. The only thing which really matters is which is quicker (and maybe, can I afford it?).

I hate my competition tires on the street, the ride goes to hell. I put up with it because its quick.