Minihune, thanks alot, good info, so looks wise you would go with the 115/40/17's over the 45's. It would also keep my car a little lower which I like. I drove a 58 bug for years, it was much lower than my Mini now, you just have to be aware and careful. As far as a hard ride, I wouldn't think the 40's would be as bad as my run-flats, those things are like riding on wooden wheels. The reason I mentioned spacers is I didn't know if there was any issue with rubbing on the inside of the tire, spacers would give a little more room there, guess not. The only other thought I had on the side of the 45's other than softer ride is I want to minimize the gap from the outer edge of the tire to the plastic wheel arch, with 45's I thought it might fill that gap a little better? What do you think? and thanks!!

 

OK, you have a 2011 Cooper S with stock Sport Springs? Not aftermarket springs? If so then your ride height will allow for 215/45-17 and still be no rubbing. It will close the gap a little and allow for a tire with 45 series sidewall.

Even with stiff sidewall you can choose tires that are more comfortable or not. If you have not picked a tire yet you should consider the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, you just have to decide if it is within budget and 300 treadwear is OK with your driving needs. Otherwise it is a very comfortable yet great handling tire for the Cooper S.

 

kicking this up again. I just got 225/45R17's for my winters... the overall difference between them and 205/45R17's is 20mm wider and such a small amount tall i'm not worried about it... reading the thread looks like people only addressed overall height change of the tires (45% of 20mm added)... it looks like someones got 235's on their mini... I'm more worried about the wider tire rubbing when I turn or just rubbing on the shock towers... anyone run the 225/45's wanna assure me they will be ok? I got them at a stupid good deal so I couldn't pass them up.

Supporting Analysis (correct me if I'm wrong here)... 20mm = 0.78" ... so 45% of that is the height change/2 (top and bottom) and the width is .78" wider so it's .78/2 (side to side) closer to the shock towers.

 

Just curious. Outside of getting a good deal on the tires, why use a "fatter" tire for winter?

I was always under the impression that a slightly narrower tire with a taller sidewall was better for driving on/through snow.

 

That's a good impression. Yes narrower is better... I would have liked it a heck of a lot more if they were 195/somethings. They have <4k miles on them and were $350... And they're studded. They were MINT... I couldn't say no... Even if I didn't have 17" rims I still would have bought them just to make a quick buck haha.
in terms of width... it's .78" wider... that REALLY isn't a lot... and my take is it's really only half that width addition from the edge of the tire to the edge of the shock towers/inside potential rubbing when turning... that's really all i'm worried about. I think i'll be ok, but i would like verification.

Another thing for justification: My wife has a mazda 3 and her car can accept these tires no prob... and I have another set of winters but they aren't studded... I just wanted the studded ones on the mini because I travel farther for work then she does. though there are arguements about studded vs nonstudded, and i've only run nonstudded in the past with my other cars... this is the first winter this mini will see and the first winter i'll be driving a mini.

 

I was also considering this size for Continental Extreme Contact DWS. Are your rims stock 17 X 7? 215 45 17 on backorder until January at Tire Rack

 

Rim recommendations are 8-9.5" rim, any issues installing the tires on a smaller dia rim?

 

I run 215/45/17's on my MCS and I have no issue with rubbing.

 

QUOTE=roadrunner255;3760467]Rim recommendations are 8-9.5" rim, any issues installing the tires on a smaller dia rim?[/QUOTE]
no issues

 

We have a 2016 Clubman and it came with 225/45/17's on it. never had an issue.