Tires, Wheels, & Brakes Discussion about wheels, tires, and brakes for the new MINI.

Looking for summer tires for 15" R81s

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 04-02-2009, 10:35 AM
chrisneal's Avatar
chrisneal
chrisneal is offline
6th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 7,062
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Looking for summer tires for 15" R81s

Hello,
I spent a good deal of time searching, but it seems the 15" rims were never very popular, so I couldn't find much info.

I have a 2005 MC with the original Continental all-seasons mounted on 15" R81 (7-hole) rims. With about 35k on the tires, I hit something yesterday that is large enough and punctured the tire close enough to the sidewall that it can't be repaired. All four tires are low enough on tread that I'm looking to switch (FINALLY) to a quality summer tire. I have snows mounted on a separate set of alloys.

It seems the 175/65 R15 is a rare size, and I'm perfectly willing to stray from it, except that I'd really like to keep the speedo and odometer accurate if at all possible. I'd like a wider tire if possible, although I'm wondering how that would affect my ability to get 40+ mpg on the highway.

Dunlop SP Sport01 - the durability sounds subpar from reviews I've read. I do a lot of city driving on extremely poor surfaces. I find myself driving multiple highway hours in the rain on occasion as well.

Pirelli P3000E - I don't see too many drawbacks with these; I guess they are what I'm leaning toward unless anybody has other suggestions.

Any help is appreciated!
 
  #2  
Old 04-04-2009, 01:02 AM
chrisneal's Avatar
chrisneal
chrisneal is offline
6th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 7,062
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Anyway, I bought the Pirellis. Nice talking to everyone, thanks for nothing.
 
  #3  
Old 04-05-2009, 06:54 PM
minihune's Avatar
minihune
minihune is offline
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mililani, Hawaii
Posts: 15,260
Received 67 Likes on 65 Posts
Originally Posted by chrisneal
Anyway, I bought the Pirellis. Nice talking to everyone, thanks for nothing.
You've been on NAM for some time now.

I'm surprised you didn't get more info from a search.

The basic tire for the stock 15" rim is not the stock sized tire. Too few options in that size although the Pirelli P3000 is OK.

You have more choices than that.

Many of us choose 205/55-15 or 195/60-15. Those will give many good tires and it will fit the stock sized rim or aftermarket rims to about 15x7 is fine.

Next time for tires try those sizes.

The other size that will work is 185/65-15.

Also, you don't have to look at Summer tires which are OK but don't last.

You can look at All Season tires-
Ultra HP
High Performance
Grand Touring

Many options.

You do give up a little in handling vs a really good summer tire but the All Season tires will do better for any weather and last a lot longer. Some offer more comfort and less noise.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Waszak
MINI Parts for Sale
10
10-21-2017 05:55 PM
potterstein
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
10
02-23-2016 12:06 PM
potterstein
Stock Problems/Issues
1
09-04-2015 09:52 AM
Ntety
MINIs & Minis for Sale
0
09-02-2015 08:39 PM



Quick Reply: Looking for summer tires for 15" R81s



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:52 AM.