hey namsters,

i have all season 205/45/17 runflats on my '08 mcsc sidewalk. i would like to switch to a summer tire that has more grip/performance. i'll put the runflats back on in the fall. i drive the mini hard, and may do a hpde and an autocross this summer...no serious track use. i know i don't want run flats. i'm not sure about 215 vs 205/45/17....but think the wider tire would look better at the very least. please chime in....and thanks!

 

It sounds like we have similar driving styles. So far, I have been absolutely thrilled with the performance of the Bridgestone RE-01R in 205-45/17, but I'm not nuts about the 180 rating. I may switch to the trusty old Goodyear F1 GS-D3 in a 215-45/17 when these are done this year. I also just bought a set of 16" Rota RBs that will have the new Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec in 205-50/16 - can't wait to try them. They may end up being my final summer setup.

 

I am a big fan of my kuhmo ecsta mxs . I have yet to get them on a full blown track but will do so this summer. I had a friend who ran these on his m3 and was the only tire he would drive on after a few track outings with them.

 

thanks....funny, i had the re-01's on my m3. loved 'em but were pricey, and i got about 8k out of them ...the m3 eats rear tires when you push it. i had the goodyear f1's on my old wrx and loved them...sold the car with them on when i got the m3. i am intrigued by the price/performance of the kuhmo ecsta....it's a front runner at this point. no worries with 215/45/17's?

 

I am running the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 in 205/50-16. I only have about 400 miles on them, but they are nice so far.

I do run 215/45-17 tires on my OEM Crown Spokes. They are all my winter tires, Bridgestone RE960AS. I had no problem on them. I put a little over 2K miles on them before switching to the summer set up. This is on an R56.

 

At least two good options in
Extreme Performance Summer tires-
205/45-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R (not the 215/45-17 since it's taller than stock and you want better performance) $162 each
215/45-17 Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec $125 each 200 treadwear

Kumho Ecsta MX is also good, 220 treadwear
205/40-17 $83 each
215/40-17 $109 each
215/45-17 $112 each
Not as comfortable for street use, not as good in the wet as the other top tires in this class but good value.

 

please endulge my noobishness...if 215/45-17 is "taller" than 205/45-17, would 215/40-17 be ideal?

 

okay, i think i've narrowed things down. i don't want to change tire size to the point of effecting spedo/odo unless i have to. i also don't know if i'm making too big a deal out of this. please let me know what you recommend and why:

1. bridgestone re-01r in 205/45-17 obviusly a great tire, but $$

2. michelin pilot exalto pe2 in 205/45-17 gets good reviews. is a uhp, not ehp tire...but $ saved goes to new windscreen.

3. dunlop direzza sport z1 star spec 215/45-17 good price, different size. am i over concerned with the size diffrence?

4. goodyear f1 gs d3 in 215/40-17. good reviews, $50 rebate, i just wish i understood tire sizing better.

i need to pull the trigger soon, the all season runflats really aren't cutting it with my driving style. thanks again.

 

My opinion is that you are over-concerned with the tire size issue. But, I run all sorts of strange sizes on my MINI(s). Stock, short track tires, tall snow tires...

 

Stock is 205/45-17. If you want the best fit as designed for the MINI using 17x7 rims and best speedo and odometer readings then stick with this size.

Any tire taller or larger on tire diameter will cause the speedo to read in error a little too low vs actual and same with odometer. Gearing will be a little taller which benefits higher speeds and doesn't help with acceleration.

Opposite with a smaller diameter tire. If you can get tires with less than 2 to 3% error one way or the other it's generally OK. You also get more wheel clearance, more wheel gap and lower stance to some extent.

Stock tire diameter is 24.3 to 24.4". I have run tires on my MINI from 22.7" to 24.7" using the same suspension (lowered) and it's fine. Sure there is error but I deal with it.

It's difficult to use any tire much larger than 24.9 to 25" tall. Especially if it is wider like 225/45-17 due to risk of rubbing under load in the rear seat or with uneven roads or with cornering.

215/40-17 is not considered ideal for most street use since it is more expensive (usually lighter and more performance oriented), has a stiffer 40 series sidewall and is risky if you have poor roads with potholes. You can easily damage a rim or tire or your suspension. It will corner well and might give a harsher ride depending on your alignment and suspension.


Sounds like performance is a priority. You need it for street, HPDE and some autocross.

1. Expensive but works for everything you want. I have this tire. Comfortable for street and handles all performance driving. Treadwear 180 but that's OK with me. Good dry or wet handling. Stock sized.
2. Good street tire, balanced performance, not as good handling as the others but a solid choice.
3. Tall but OK with stock suspension, might be a tad heavier vs others, good dry and wet handling, not as comfortable for street use as 1 and 2. Treadwear about 200. A new tire just introduced. Less clearance if you lower your MINI. reduced wheel gap now with stock suspension.
4. Size is OK, handling will be good, ride comfort will be a little less due to stiffer sidewall. Good for everything you want and also good for wet handling (resists hydroplaning very well). Treadwear good. Wheel gap a little more with stock suspension. If you lower you will be fine.

All are good choices and very similar to what I was looking for when replacing my tires on 17x7 rim. I got RE-01R and they work for me, especially for wet performance driving since it rains in my area. For dry weather I use R compounds or practice on the RE-01R.

 

I've been running the Kumho MX on my RX7 for the last 3 years. They rock. They have great dry grip, very good in the wet (similar to Toyo T1S), awesome on track staying very consistent throughout. They also have good turn in feel and break-away characteristics so you can feel them at the limit. Very reasonably priced also.

Keep in mind that they are an older design so the newer tires like the Bridgestones will offer improvements. I'd personally get the Bridgestone's right now if I were looking.

Couple of other suggestions:
- Hankook has a real nice tire that is being used in NASA time trails.
- Sumitomo HTR III seem like a really nice design and the durometer ratings indicate that it is much stickier than the advertised specs suggest. They won Tire Rack's dry grip tests.