So here's the situation. I've got my 16x7.5" Kosei K1s (+43 offset) with some rapidly aging V710s in 215/40. My current dailys are 16x7 with 215/45. This is all fine and dandy, except my MINI has severe tire envy with all these other marquees running big fatties.

A 225/45/16 looks real nice. Diameter of 23.9", compared to 215/45 (23.6") or 205/50 (24.1"). The problem is I've found only two "extreme" performance tires in this size - Hankooky RS2s and Toyo Proxes R1R. I like RS2s but not sure I'd want another set with the new RS3s now out. And, well, the R1Rs look hawt....

There are more options in 225/50/16. Now we're talking about 24.9" diameters, though. I guess these fit with some work, probably not at my current ride height.

Car is an '06 on coilovers. I'd like to replace the V710s with a street tire that'll do dual autocross and track duties. Oh, and I'll throw them on when I want the car to look sexy too.

- who has run a 225/50/16? How noticeably is acceleration affected? How bad of an idea is it? I would use the 16x7.5s, and I've got 5mm spacers that'll bring the offset to +38.

- am I missing other options in a 225/45/16? Top performance streets need only apply. Tirerack shows some "ultra high performance" options (BFG T/A KDW2, Yoko AVS ES100), but I'm not sure I'd be content with tread ratings in the 280-300 range any more.... Convince me otherwise?


The obvious alternative is to invest in some wide 15 wheels. I just checked, and 949racing now carries an all flat black 15x8 6UL wheel. omfgosh. They've fulfilled my deepest secret desire...

Thoooooughts?

 

I just went to 225/25/17 (24.97in overall) to 215/45/17 (24.61) and that .3in made a huge difference. With my old tire my car just would not pull well in second gear, I would run most of an AutoX in first to try and keep the power up but then I would be right near the limiter. I am kicking myself for getting tires that tall in the first place. Maybe with all the mods your car has it might not matter that much, in fact I suspect that would be the case. If anything it could make first gear more useful for you by making it a bit taller.

With treadwear, just remember it can only be used as a comparison within brands. The Sumitomo HTRZIIIs that I just mounted to my car have a 300 treadwear and were able to beat the Bridgestone RE050A with its 140 treadware rating in Tire Rack tests.

 

I foresee some 225/45 R1Rs in my future..

The 215/40 V710s are plenty short, and 2nd gear is just about perfect now. I could see the taller (225/50) diameter working against me.

 

Kumho V710 are competition tires and not for any street use. You can drive them to an event and that's it. If it rains you're in trouble or if you hit any road hazzard you're at risk.

For your situation-

The most sense for a good all purpose Extreme Summer tire that will fit your current 16x7.5" wheels and suspension is-

Kumho Ecsta XS (not good in wet)
215/45-16 $95 each 180 treadwear 20 lbs, 23,6" tire diameter

or better yet
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
205/45-16 $158 each 180 treadwear 22 lbs , 23.2" tire diameter

see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...=Potenza+RE-11

You want something that fits and can be used both for daily driving and for autocross or track events without having to change wheels.

Wider (and likely heavier) tire with tall 24.9" tire diameter isn't a good solution for a lowered MINI and for slower acceleration due to taller gearing.

For the Hankook RS-2
Not a good street tire.
see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=107

I personally don't think that the Toyo R1R can compete on the track or at autocross with the RE-11 or Dunlop Direzza Star Spec.

225/45-16 is a good tire size but doesn't give you the tire selection that would be best for your situation.

Your limiting factor is your wheel size- being 16x7.5" is not taking advantage of your tire size choice. 225/45-16 fits rims 7-8.5" wide.
While it fits nicely on a 7.5" rim your rim size largely defines how much of the tire you can use for performance driving.

215/45-16 by comparison fits rims 7-8"and has a shorter sidewall. Using the 16x7.5 rim you'd get nearly the same tread width.

205/45-16 fits rims 6.5-7.5" wide so it's usable on a 16x7.5" rim and gives an even shorter sidewall for more responsiveness both in street use and in performance handling especially so with the RE-11.

Try talking to Alex@tirerack.com and see what other MINI owners report.

If it can be in your budget I'd suggest the RE-11.

 

Have you checked out the Toyo R888 at 225/45-16, was told that some Spec E30 racers drive to track on them and that they last as well or the Yokohama ADVAN A048 in the same size, they are stock tires on Lotus and some Mitsu EVOs.

 

Toyo R888 is the DOT competition track tire that replaces the Ra1.
While I know some MINI owners that did run the Ra1 on the road it won't hold up to daily street use for very long. If you do more track driving than street driving then it's worth considering and does come in 225/45-16 for about $205 each (20 lbs). Treadwear is about 100.

If you are driving in autocross the R888 rubber is probably too hard to get a good time, you will be able to run it the whole year. It's likely to be faster than street tires. But it won't be as good for daily driving as with street tires.

The Yokohama Advan A048 is a DOT competition tire with treadwear 60 and prices about $214 to $219 each for medium and medium hard rubber compound. Good for track and can be run in some wet conditions. Again a good choice for track mostly driving but too expensive and would wear fast for street use. The stiff sidewalls (and noisy) would not be very comfortable for daily use.

 

Has anyone tried 225/50 16 on a r56? I am thinking of the Yoko Advan A048 or the Michelin Pilot Cup for track use. What other tires have others used? Thanks for any info.

 

2 bits on diameter

the 15x8 wheels with good rubber will run approx 24" OD

the 16s and 17s tend towards 25"

that's a 4 percent difference that translates directly to acceleration and braking (subject to traction of course)

that's 6 WHP assuming at least 150 WHP to start with

and of course the 15s can be lighter (tho' not guaranteed) for further gain

2 bits on 225s

I'm wearing 25/45-15 R1R on Kosei 15x7

very good in the wet, VERY

in the dry the narrow rim appears to limit the tire, requiring more pressure than the Direzza Z1 to control roll-over, and the result is actually no better than the Dunlop 195/55-15 I ran last year

live and learn

in sum

if I had the choice I'd run either the Bridgestone or the Dunlop on a 7x15" rim with no more width than a 205

if I had a 7.5 to 8" rim then I'd go for the big paws, but in a 15" diameter wheel

I autocross by the way, I do not road race -- YMMV as always.

Cheers,

charlie

 

Actually closer to 24.5"

About 2%

Is that HP or torque? I'm a bit fuzzy on this.

 

Robin I sit corrected.

According to my reckoning with my 24" setup, torque at the wheel is the same as thrust at the contact patch (I have a 1' lever).

The thrust chart is here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...yGearByRPM.jpg

That's for a standard S I believe.

But 2% is 2%. I might be seeing more from my 16" to 15" setup, as the 16s run 205/50 and the 15s are 224/45.

When I put the 15s on in the spring, that first ride is a big grin.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Any opinions about the Yoko Advans A048s, BF Goodrich R1s or the Michelin Cup Sports for dry track use?

 

I've been running 225/50R16s for a couple years...

I never noticed a lag but my tires & wheels are 60lbs lighter than the stock 17" s-Lite/run-flate combo.

FYI- I had to carve-up my rear bumper & fender liners to revent rubbing with 1 mm less off-set than you're running.

 

What are the size of your rims? 16x7?

 

A 225/45-16 checks in at about 24" OD, doesn't it? Perfectly in line with stock. If this was a popular size, I think wider 16" wheels could be an option. The 50 series is taller, but for track with a modded car, not as big an issue me-thinks.

Anyhoo, I eventually went with the tried-n-true 215/45-16, Kumho XS. I plan on switching to the 15"s once I have the coin for some wide wheels - minimum 8".

How does a 15x8.5" or x9" fit on our cars? It would maximize tire width whatever the size, but invite more wear + tear..

 

I have a r56 with standard tires 205/45 17, diameter 24.3".

225 50 16 has a diameter of 24.9". I think I may lose some zip but will hopefully make up for it in the turns. Does the 225/50 16 fit a 16"x7" rim?

 

Yes a 225/50 will fit a 7 incher.

 

Thanks,

I think I may go with the BFG R1s. Can run them in either direction. Hopefully, I can get 15 days out of them.

 

True. The tires can fit on a 7" wide wheel, but will not fit on your R53 MCS, however maybe a R56.

I have coilovers with narrow linear springs, camber plates, adjustable rear control arms, and trimmed plastic fender wells.

I tried just about everything to fit 225/50/16 tires on my car. No matter how much adjusting I did, they wouldn't fit without rubbing something. There simply wasn't enough space, regardless of the wheel width and offset. I had to sadly depart on the tires and sell them for almost a $200 loss. I now run a 215/50/16 with no problems.