Hello .

I'm currently on Toyo 205/45 17 T1Rs. Their service life is ending soon. I finally found a local dealer that can order in for me the Potenza RE-11, but he can only get them in the 215/40 17 size.

I've checked online and the circumference difference is about 2%, the 215/40 being smaller.

I've read in this forum that the Potenza RE-01R which the RE-11s are replacing run wide, much wider than their indicated widths. If i recall, their 205 is as wide as a 215 of another manufacture.

So i have these reserves for going to the non-OEM size of tire

1) Since going 215/40, i'm already having to deal with a slightly difference size from OEM specs, and with the over sized tendency of the RE-11, i'm assuming the 2% circumference difference will be increased. Is there any truth behind this hypothesis?

2) Will the RE-11 215/40 17 be too wide to mount to my OEM 17x7 ET48 wheels?

And yes.... I am kinda **** about these things .

All this just to mount UPH tires

 

I used 215/40-17 on my 2003 MCS. I now use 215/40-18 on my GP. On my 2003 MCS, I ran 215/40-17 with 17x7 ET38 wheels with H&R lowering springs. I had slight rubbing in the rear (up inside the wheel well on the plastic liner) on bumps with extra weight in the car. Even if the RE-11 tire is wider by 10mm you should be fine because of your large offset on the wheels.

 

Is the RE-11 even available in the US?

 

The OP may not be in the US.

RE-11 is not yet available as far as I can tell.
see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/bridge...tone-tires.jsp
Tirerack has none listed.

The 215/40-17 tire will fit fine on the stock 17x7 rim.

Ride quality will be more firm and if you lower your MINI you will be better off.

RE-11 is a very good tire for performance but will wear very fast about one year.

 

I will wait for them to come here Only problem is, they probably won't come in an 18 inch size that will work with the MINI.

 

Some info-
http://4g63vim.wordpress.com/2008/02...eplace-re-01r/

The US version may be better/improved-
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1677913

 

Tirerack will be selling RE-11 very soon if not already.

A stealthy search finds-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Potenza+RE-11

I have spied (in Sportscar magazine) the following sizes and prices for the RE-11 at tirerack.com

195/50-15 $119
205/50-15 $124

205/45-16XL $164
205/55-16 $148
225/50-16 $161

205/45-17XL $173
225/45-17XL $191
235/40-17 $203
235/45-17XL $209
245/40-17 $221
245/45-17 $223
255/40-17 $231

225/40-18XL $221
225/45-18 $247
235/40-18XL $253
245/40-18XL $261
245/45-18 $260
255/35-18 $278
265/35-18 $278
265/40-18XL $282

225/40-19XL $244
235/35-19 $272
245/35-19XL $284
255/35-19XL $295
265/35-19XL $307
275/30-19XL $306
305/30-19 $335

For the MINI all of the 18" sizes are a bit too tall.
If you must, you can take a 225/40-18 and shave it down a bit for clearance from it's 25.1" tire diameter. Fits rims from 7.5-9" wide.

 

I'm not sure about the US, but i'm located in Malaysia.

 

awesome thanks for the great info minihune!

Two things I noticed....

1) Interested folks should not confuse the RE-11 with the Potenza RE011 (listed under the ultra high performance summer category)

2) People on the NASIOC forums seemed to prefer the RE070 to the RE-11

 

Yes,

RE-11 is new and Extreme Summer tire and is supposed to compete against the best Extreme Summer tires for track and Autocross use.


RE-011 is Ultra High Perf Summer tire- been out and not very high rated.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Potenza+RE011


About the RE-070 (Extreme Perf Summer tire)
Only a few sizes listed at tirerack but some that would work with the MINI-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...irePageLocQty=


215/45-17 $177 24.6" tire diameter 24 lbs
225/45-17 $197 is 24.9" tire diameter so with the right suspension height- stock or slightly lowered with increased rear negative camber or wider than stock wheel like 17x8 and a little inner rear plastic arch shaving it might work OK with no rear passengers. 27 lbs

140 treadwear

The other Bridgestone RE-070 is RE-070R RFT 140 treadwear
which only comes in two runflat sizes for the new Nissan GTR
255/40-20 $375 38 lbs 27.9" tire diam.
285/35-20 $378 39 lbs 28" tire diam.
he Potenza RE070R RFT features a high-grip tread compound molded into an asymmetric tread design to combine handling with traction. Semi-Slick outboard shoulder blocks and several continuous inboard ribs enhance initial responsiveness and increase lateral stiffness to reduce the irregular wear that can occur during hard cornering. The tire's internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wrapped nylon to blend high-speed durability with uniform ride quality. The structure of the Potenza RE070R RFT has been specifically tuned for the Nissan GT-R and features Bridgestone Side Support Run-Flat technology reinforced sidewalls to support the vehicle after a puncture causes a loss of air pressure.

Not a bad tire for the GTR but the other OEM summer tire is actually faster on the track. The Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST runflat comes with the base GTR and the Bridgestones with the Premium GTR. Go figure. 200 treadwear, $424 each about 37 and 40 lbs each

The cold weather package comes with some winter fluid adjustments and UHP All Season Dunlop SP Sport 7010 AS runflats ($424 each). 220 treadwear.

A Blizzak LM-25 snow tire is also available.