Just looking at some michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 tires. I've noticed tire rack has 205/45s for arounc 124 bucks each, and 215/45s for about 160 ish. Is there that much of a traction difference between the two widths? Will I be able to notice during some local canyon carving?

I'm aware of the slight speedo difference and I'm cool with that. I'd be mounting these tires on the stock 17" flame spoke rims.

Also I've seen in the archives that there should be no rubbing. I have a R56 with stock suspension. Thanks!

 

215's are normally cheaper as they are more common. I swapped from 205/45 on ZIEX912 to a 215/45 (same model) and also run 215/45 RE01R's for summer. No contest....the 215's blow the 205's away (same tire, used one month than swapped for wider).

 

I am looking at the same tire sizes as well.

For PGT and other experts: don't you give up some weight and low gear acceleration if you go with the wider and heavier 215s? So, with 215s, you get better handing but at the expense of heavier tires and a bit less acceleration... right?

If so, how much will you notice the heavier weight and slower acceleration if you go with the 215s instead of the 205s?

 

I've got 215/40 on now vs. 205/45 stock, this really isn't a fair comparison because I swapped on lighter wheels with Pirelli summer tires vs. the stock wheels and all season tires. I have more traction all over the place and since my car was alway able to spin the tires in the first two gears, I'd assume the added traction of the wider rubber would more than compensate for the slightly taller tires. My tires are actually wider and a little shorter so I can't say for sure.

 

let's not overanalyze it. The gearing ratio is minute. Weight....you'd have to check the tire specs. Minimal. Look at my sig. Traction is my problem, not acceleration. Heck, I could spin 215's into third before I added the latest 50hp.

The main reason I went to 215's for my winter set...the 205's had a quick turn-in, but then would 'push' through a turn and the front end would slide. I'm talking daily driving.....not track. Hard around a corner and the front would lose traction easily on 205's. The 215 of the same tire have more ultimate grip and much higher threshold. Also...the 215 has better steering response, mostly because it has an 'XL' load rating and stiffer sidewall - this won't always be true, but is with the Falken ZIEX912

 

What about a stock or nearly stock R56? Is the gearing ratio still minute? I really don't know and I am still on the fence regarding these two tire sizes. I am currently leaning towards the Bridgestone RE-01R tires in 17s at either 205/45 or 215/45... I have a stock R56 and it would be used mostly for street. Thanks.

 

with he RE01R, you're looking at 2lbs, .5" treadwidth and .3" in OD. That's like .5mph at 60mph. Hardly anything to notice. Stock OD is .1" taller than the 205 RE01R, so the 215 is only a .2" penalty. You're more likely to notice the extra 2lbs of weight, but even then, I'd put $20 on 'no'.

The RE01R's are wide for their size - the 205 is sized like a 215, the 215 a 225. The 215 has a bit more load rating, so is a tad stiffer sidewall. Can't go wrong with either. The other angle - resale value (in case you ever wanted to sell for some reason) - MINI people are odd about retaining stock OD for tires, but the Subaru market would pay more $$$ for a 215/45 (stock size for them). Call it a draw.

 

215s are the same weight as 205 runflats. After my 215s were installed I could not tell any difference in the acceleration, but handeled, looked and rode better!

 

Don't forget the added weight of the Mobility kit, and tire plugs hahahah.

 

Interesting. I have been running Hankook Ventus k104 205/45 17s for the past year, and did notice a bit of sliding and front end push on hard corners. Especially when following another MINI up the Duryea Hill Climb course in Reading PA, they were ripping through the corners and I was sliding through em. Maybe I'll try some 215s for this season. What's a good summer tire? Don't really need all seasons since I garage the MINI for most of the winter, take it out on the weekends if the weather is nice.

 

I'm a huge fan of RE01R's, but don't expect 20k miles out of them

 

PGT -- What do you think of these tires for summer only that I can take to the track?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e1=yes&place=1

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1

 

seem to get good writeups so far, though I haven't run them. I need some 15's for autox - wish they made the Z1's in 205/50....I'd give them a go

 

215 ftw.
i'm kind of disliking the tallness of 215/45 on my car since its rubbing
so i'm going for shorter size next time.. but other than that, alls good.

 

For the PE2 Ultra High Performance Summer tire in these two sizes used on a stock MINI 17x7 rim there isn't much difference you can feel with traction. If you want more difference then choose a different tire like a Max or Extreme Performance Summer tire. Treadwear could be a little less but cost might be similar.

PE2 is a balance of handling and comfort with a size that is stock for the MINI. For the cost the 205/45-17 makes sense. If you had a 17x7.5" rim then 215/45-17 might work better but you gain a little weight. Stock suspension height allows for either, if you're lowered then stock tire size is better. No rubbing expected.

215/40-17 handles better on corners but has a harsher ride, possibly noisy on rough roads and offers less rim protection if you hit a pothole. Typically it is lighter in weight that stock sized tires.

For most MINIs I'd suggest the 205/45-17.

In that size if you want more handling the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R is worth a look but treadwear is 180. Max Performance tires often about 200 treadwear. The RE-01R offers street comfort as well as wet or dry handling.

 

Guy, the RE-01R are being replaced with the Potenza RE-11.

I tried and tried and for the life of my couldn't source any RE-01Rs for my R56 S. So i have placed my order direct with Japan for the up coming RE-11 which by the way is being officially launched in Japan this 1st March!

Get your orders in!

 

Tirerack doesn't even show the RE-11 yet.

March 1 release date, not sure if that applies to USA.

RE-11 looks promising and comes in various sizes that are friendly to the MINI, better sizes than for the RE-01R.

Maybe better in the wet than the RE=01R, and faster for track lapping.