I have searching throughout this forum for a few pictures of a mini setup this way. I am seeing that the size difference is a little on the plus side of OEM, but I wanted to see how the wheel gap would look. I also have TSW springs so I am thinking this may be a zero gap setup. The size may be liveable with the right tire too! Thanks in advance!

No picture but I run 205/55/15 on stock 15 inch Mini "Spooler" wheels. They are slightly smaller in diameter but real close to OEM 175/65/15. The 195/60/15 is pictured in "show me your wheels" and in threads labeled as "195/60/15". My personal impression is they look real tall, they will throw off the speedometer more than it is currently off, cornering may suffer somewhat from a taller sidewall. The good side is that they ride smooth due to sidewall height. I recommend the 205/55/15 size tire. These will accommodate a lowering of you car. The 205/50/15 are popular but are much smaller than the OEM and 205/55/15. The 195 may not accommodate your drop. Actually, if you look under the thread " 185/65R15's or 195/60R15 for cooper" the poster "nabeshin" in her "garage" segment of her post has pictures of her 2003 Mini with 195/60/15 tires. Take a look and hope this helps.

There's only a Clubman with R100's on the MINI2 wheel FAQ, but it's something:

http://www.mini2.com/galleries/searc...searchid=21593

Wheel FAQ:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_wheels_tyres

On a lowered suspension 1.5" drop Bilstein PSS9 coilovers
Stock 15" wheels and Bridgestone RE-960AS in 195/60-15
This tire size is fine for the MINI.



With 185/65-15 snow tires

I think the 195/60/15 size seems to look goo, and fills in the wheel well pretty good as well! Minihune, how is the ride quality and the handling on those? I have a set of some nice 195/60/15 tires I want throw on (Fuzion HRi)

I have them on stock 15" wheels and on 15x6 wheels and they are fine.

Not as much grip as 205mm wide tires with aggressive tread pattern for summer use but fine for daily driving or bad weather.

Comfortable and protects some from rim and suspension damage if you hit a pothole.

Less responsive on turns so don't go nuts. Much less firm ride

The more I re-visit tire choices, the more apparent it is why I went with the 195/55/15. It was:

-A bit more aggressive than the 195/60-15 in road manners, but comfortable
-fits stock wheels well
-better response than stock (sounds like the 195/60-15 will be worse?)

I ran the Kumho ASX in the 55 series before and was really pleased. Price has went up significantly since I bought them last. Sounds like I have stuff to think about here...
-

195/55-15 is small at about 23.3 to 23.5" tire diameter. Stock is about 24.3"

You get a bigger wheel gap with stock suspension, lower ground clearance, slightly less weight. For similar use 205/55-15 is also possible.

In comparison to the stock size tires, will the 195/60-15 be a big improvement in response and in grip? If not, then I will have to assess more closely! Thanks as always Minihune, I know not a more knowledgeable tire guy in any forum!

Depends on which stock tires you have-

15" wheels have non runflat 175/65-15 tires. 175/65 is very limited in tire selection. 185/65-15 is a little better.

In this case it would be in improvement in overall handling and still be comfortable but it depends on which tire you choose. Stock tires aren't really that good so it's easy to do better. Something like Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS would be a good example of a good tire. If you choose a summer tire you will get a little better handling but faster treadwear.

For 16" and 17" stock wheels you get runflats, so much harsher ride but OK on handling. Faster tread wear and very heavy. Stiff sidewalls are more prone to damage. But you get security of runflats.

In this case comfort is better due to taller sidewall but you will give up some grip and handling crispness on turning. You get longer treadlife in general but it will depend on which tire you choose.

So for 195/60-15
see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...er=15&x=53&y=8

You get mostly good tires in Ultra High Perf All Season and Grand Touring All Season, and a few High Perf All Season classes.

If you want longer treadlife and good comfort with All Season use then this size should work fine.

If you want more responsive handling and a little faster wear with a little more rolling resistance (slightly less mpg) and maybe limited to warm weather use then consider 205/55-15.

see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...er=15&x=53&y=8

Tires like these are OK for handling- (some examples)
BF Goodrich g-force Sport
Dunlop Direzza DZ101
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval
Fuzion ZRI
Yokohama S.Drive

There are also other tire companys that make good tires in 15" sizes for the MINI. Toyo, Nitto, Hankook, etc.

I use the Kumho Ecsta 205/55/15 all seasons and have liked them tremendously. Smooth ride, good handling and no experienced decrease in gas mileage. I get 40 mpg in a 26 mile ride to work. The cornering is also very good. I have nothing against 195's I just like wider tires better especially when they run just as well as 195's. Hope this helps.

Kumho Ecsta ASX 205/55-15
$74 each 420 treadwear V speed rated 88 load rating
Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=113
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=113
Quote:
What We Liked: Crisp steering response
What We'd Improve: A modest increase in dry traction along with a large improvement in wet grip
Conclusion: A sporty tire for drivers who do not focus on wet traction

Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS don't come in that size so I have them in 195/60-15 (205/60-15 could fit, tall at 24.7" tire diam.)
$62 each 400 treadwear H speed rated 88 load rating
Works pretty good for me. Handling OK but not to the level of Max Summer tires. Mpg I try to elevate with slightly higher tire pressures. I would be happy with 25 mpg but I have a modded MCS.

I actually enjoy the amount of grip my UHPAS tires give me. So, I am thinking the 195/60-15 for now. I truthfully only drive a lot of highway and drove briskly on backroads, but nothing the OEM tires haven't been able to handle. I am figuring the Kumho ASX in the 195/60-15 will be enough of an improvement over stock to where I am still able to have a good time driving my car while maintaining a bit more ride quality and whatnot. Thanks for the help guys!

this is what my winter setup looks like compared to summer 17in OZ Superturismos....definitely more comfy, but looks weird

How does it handle? I am assuming body roll is fair given the size of tire? I am looking to run the Holeys year round so I am in need of the 195/60-15 tire to be both performance oriented and all season. So far, the leading tire to purchase has switched to the following:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....01+%28H%26V%29

Looks like a solid tire and the price is great too!

Of course, this is what I have run before on different wheels and loved:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=Ecsta+ASX

Decisions, decisions....

negative:
i dont like how it looks.
tires look to fat.
wheels look too small.
handles stupid, i almost spun out at the first onramp (right after taking off OZs)....but i learned to drive it a bit different now.

positive:
keeps salt off my nice wheels.
its more comfortable

here is 2 more pics, one during 1st snowboarding trip, and one where my GF wanted to prove that shes longer and taller than a mini (almost hehe)




so yeah, comapred to this....mehhh

Are your tires a dedicated winter and snow tire on your smaller wheels?

Yea its my winter set with winter tires

btw, in cold, those asx i did not like, eding up totaling my porsche on them in winter , or better yet causing over 35k of damage, therefore causing total loss grrr