I tried seraching for this topic w/ limited results.

So...Im bought myself some hamann hm4 17x8 rims and Im leaning towards the 215/40/17 even though I know the 215/45/17 will give me a better ride Im nervous about potential rubbing issues. I currently have the 205/45 factory run flats and I was wondering if the 215/40/17's are just as harsh or worse. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Ps: Ill be getting the Kumho Ecsta SPT if that helps.

What suspension and what alignment settings are you going to use?

OEM runflats are pretty stiff.

Kumho Ecsta SPT is an Ultra High Performance Summer tire.
Tests are good
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...lay.jsp?ttid=4

215/40-17 is also pretty stiff. Ecsta SPT not overly so.
I would think that if you had OEM suspension and stock alignment settings you could be OK on smooth roads.

If you have really bad roads then even 215/45-17 will be rough.

If you lower your MINI but keep alignment to stock settings you should be OK.

Ill be using the stock suspension. So between the stock run flats and the 215/40's ride should be similar? Thanks.

Stock suspension and stock alignment allow for a relatively comfortable ride over most performance suspension upgrades.

However using Koni FSD shocks might offer very decent comfort as well as improved performance for street use.

Given your choice of suspension the 215/40-17 non runflats should be OK for street use. If not then add the Koni FSD shocks at some point.

I had the stock RFs...then went to a lighter rim and 215/40/17 Yoko ES 100s. Im now on my second set of these tires in the same dimensions...I'm on stock suspension w/ an '02 MCS...the ride is definately harsher, but I enjoy it...I feel more in tune w/ the road...(my kidneys are more in tune as well )...Keep in mind w/ the 215/40/17 your speedo will read a bit faster and it has been mentioned in a previous thread that your warranty based on miles will expire a bit sooner. The smaller circumference will also change your gearing a bit as well.....I dont have any rubbing issues and that is w/ a +42 offset Montegi Trak Lite rim.

I asked about 215/45/17 on an R56 and the response I got was that there was no rubbing.

1. getting rid of RFs is a huge improvement in ride quality, period.

2. i just switched to Goodyear F1 GSD 215.45.17 and am very pleased. the ride is much "kinder" than the stock RFs and the tires stay "planted" better on the road as opposed to the RFs. i attribute much of this to the reduced sidewall stiffness.

3. i wanted the 40s for the look of the lower profile but i realized that since i am running a stock/non-lowered suspension that the gap at the wheelwell would be greater and less attractive, so i opted for the 45s.

Yes, with stock suspension there should be no rubbing with either of these tire sizes since they are stock sized or smaller.

215/45-17 would be smoother riding than 215/40-17 but also slightly taller than stock sized but it will still fit OK using stock suspension and have no rubbing.

This assumes the same tire but different sizes is being considered. Some tires are stiffer than others. Comfort depends on design and materials of the tire itself.

I started with Yokohama AVS ES100 in 215/45-17 as my first non runflats using the Centerline 17x7 RPM rims. Ride was good and handling was better than runflats. I wore them out after about one year or about 12-14K miles.
I did do some driving school events and track lapping and autocross in them. As they aged they got noisey and rough riding. They did tramline on the freeway in the grooves.

When I switched to Bridgestone Potenza S-03 in the same size it was like night and day better. It was better handling dry or wet AND smoother ride, more comfort and less noise. It was also double the price. Since then I have been using the S-03 and likely will change them for Eagle F1 GS-D3 soon.

I switched from the stock 205/45x17 RF to 215/40x17 tires (a few different brands). I found the 215/40 tires to be no harsher than the 205/45 run flats.

Did anyone notice that Trip024 said he has 17x8 Hamann wheels? These are not the usual 17x7 wheels or even 17x7.5, so they may be too wide and cause rubbing regardless of tire used. I don't know, but If anyone knows please chime in here.

I would like a response to this post here...thanks. Looking at hamanns as well. I know its an old post.