can i upgrade my 175-65-15 tires to 195-60s without any sensor problems?
or handling compremise. The tire rack says no-problem and the dealer
doesn't recomend it.

 

If you have a R50 or R53 with the indirect TPS (using the ABS sensors) no issues at all. (these are upto '06 MY)

I don't see an issue if you have the newer R56 (MY 07 and beyond) with the direct TPS as long as you use the same wheels.

FYI, by going from 175/65R15 to 195/60R15 your taking the rolling dia (or outside dia. of the tire) from 23.96 to 24.21... this is an increase of 1% which will lower your Odo and Speedo readings by that amount...
(which is negligible)

As for Ride and Handling... your handling (turn in) will probably feel sharper,
your ride will feel slightly firmer.
Changing from Runflats to non-runflats will probably make a bigger change.
Also changing brands of tires will probably have a bigger impact.

HTH!

 

I did exactly that swap. I went to 195/60/15 and had absolutely no problems. If you're just changing tires, the sensor is a non-issue.

 

I changed my 175/65/15 Conti oem all seasons to 195/60/15 Michelin snow tires last fall on my 15" holies.
Ideally, 195 width tires would do a little better on a 6" or 6 1/2" rim than the
oem 5 1/2" ones, but that's a minor point. They do fit just fine on 15 x 5 1/2" rims.

 

Thanks to all those who took the time. Does that mean the 195's
are a tight fit on the 5.5 rims. Would a 185 be better? Just looking
for some choices as my pirelli snows are toast.

 

In general, for snow tires you want narrower vs. wider to cut through the slush.

 

Eric Rowland has it exactly right. For winter tires you would be better off with something narrower .

On my '02 & '06 MCS I use the R81 7 hole wheels for my Nokian Hakka2 185/65-15 studded snow tires. The 185/65 are 24.4" dia which is the same size as the 195/55-16. I would have mounted 175/65s but Nokian does not make that size.

Now on my third winter on these Nokians I am thoroughly happy with them. I do not think that I have ever had a better winter tire.

 

The dealer will recommend the tire size that came with the car.

175/65-15 is the only non runflat MINI tire other than the compact spare.

The stock 15x5.5" rim will fit various sized tires with no problems.

185/65-15
195/60-15
205/55-15

There are other smaller than stock tire sizes as well-
195/50-15
205/50-15
You do get some speedo and odometer error.

Tire selection will vary with each size.

For basic street driving with any MINI you can use 185/65-15 but you can get good enough handling and comfort with 195/60-15. Wider tires are slightly heavier and increase rolling resistance but can handle better, corner better and offer more traction.

Lower profile sidewalls are usually stiffer, offer better turn in response and have a slightly harsher ride but there can be variation based on tire construction and tire class.