As above. The R113s on my JCW come as standard with 205/40/18s. Really want to lose the run flats - very limited options in the stock size. In the 215/35/18 I can get Goodyear Eagle F1 assymetric - the overall diameter of these is very close to the diameter of the 205/45/17s on the stock JCW challenge alloys . Wondered if anyone has any experience of these from a ride / handling / speedo inaccuracy perspective or any alternatives??

 

See tire test
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=140

Assuming you have stock suspension and enough clearance

You can consider
Continental ExtremeContact DW 215/40-18
$166 each 340 treadwear, Tire diameter a little tall at 24.9" but OK
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....DWXL&tab=Specs

If price is not a problem then
Michelin Pilot Super Sport in 205/40-18
$182 each 300 treadwear
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....SSXL&tab=Specs
Tire test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=148

 

Many (me included) have gone with 215/40-18 because there are many choices and a little more sidewall than the 35 series.

 

Thx for the thoughts guys - mich pilot super sports aren't currently listed in this size in the UK - but checked with Michelin and they expect supplies to start from April 1.
Interested to see what the price is but could be a good option in the stock size.

 

Yes I would go with the 215/40-18!
I had 225/35-18 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s and even those were kinda harsh, plus I needed spacers to fit, but worst of all prone to wheel damage. That said, if you could spend a little extra on the Michelin Pilot Super Sport in 215/40-18 that would be the best of both worlds. They have awesome reviews of that tire, they seem like great all-around summer tire.

 

I have been running 215/45/17 on my regular r53 2005 and am now replacing them with 215/40/18. Almost the identical size to each other on diameter and don't expect any rubbing, etc. I've had 35s on 18 and I was in constant fear of potholes, but it handled GREAT. Putting on General tires (who would have thought). They were bought out by conti. Getting the AS-03. They sound pretty good and found them locally very reasonably (relatively speaking).

 

I'm thinking that is the tire i am going for. They are supposeely quiet and give nice ride while still giving decent handling. Your thoughts??

 

215/45-17 is already taller than stock tire diameter.

215/40-18 is 1/2" taller than OEM tire diameter and at the limit of what will fit with stock suspension. With any lowered suspension there could be risk of rubbing.

General G Max AS-03 Ultra High Perf All Season
Tirerack test-

August 5, 2011

Tires tested:
General G-MAX AS-03 (Ultra High Performance All-Season 225/45R17 91W)

What We Liked: Excellent traction, especially in the wet
What We'd Improve: A modest improvement in ride and noise comfort
Conclusion: A sporty tire that delivers plenty of grip
Latest Test Rank: 2nd
Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Sample size and price for AS-03
205/45-17 $103 18lbs, 480 treadwear

Kumho Ecsta 4X (Ultra High Performance All-Season 225/45R17 94W)

What We Liked: Immediate steering response and impressive grip
What We'd Improve: A small improvement in ride comfort
Conclusion: A very good choice for drivers who want a nimble handling tire
Latest Test Rank: 1st
Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

For the MINI
Kumho Ecsta 4X
205/45-17 $101 20 lbs, 420 treadwear
Good tire for value and has sizes to fit 15", 16" and 17" but not for 18"

The other choice is
Continental ExtremeContact DWS (UHP All Season tire)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....WSXL&tab=Specs
Tire sizes in 16", 17', 18", even if lowered on 18" wheels
215/40-18 $132 each, 20 lbs, 540 treadwear
215/35-18 for a lowered MINI, $138 each, 18 lbs
Tire test result
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=147

 

215/35-18 is really a short sidewall and unless you're on perfectly smooth roads all the time, I wouldn't go that route. I tossed the stock runflats on my 06 JCW cabriolet (205/40-18's) and went with 215/40-18's. And even at that I blew two tires in a pothole. (Admittedly the road was really bad and I was driving too fast, but that's another story.) In any case, unless you're just cruising the main boulevard to look good, don't go any lower than 40 on the side wall. And if the car didn't already have 18's on it when I bought it, I think I would have preferred 17's in a 215/45 size. But I'm happy with what I've got.

FYI, no one has mentioned Hankook Ventus V12's. They are awsome tires and in a Car and Driver summer tire test, they took second place.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests

 

Hankook Ventus V12 (Max Summer tire)

Tirerack test-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=149
Value priced Max Tires

It does come in 215/40-18 $131 each.

Not a great tire but OK for that price. Not as good in wet.
Not that comfortable for street use.

Car and driver did give a good review for the V12s
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...12-evo-page-10
Tire size tested was 225/45-17

 

The V12 is actually very good in the wet. And it's a very quiet tire as well. Plus, it's very predictable and you can drive up to the limit easily with no surprises because it lets you know what it's doing. No sudden release of all traction. To some, they feel a bit soft at first until you get used to them. To quote the tire test:

“Deceptively quick” is a good summation of the Hankook Ventus V12 Evos because they often didn’t feel as strong as they actually were, particularly in the dry. Their fourth-place autocross time wasn’t spectacular, but they did outlap the benchmark Michelin PS2s. Geswein said the Hankooks felt “somewhat soft” and “imprecise,” although they were forgiving, yielding consistent laps with no surprises. Despite that feeling of softness, the V12 Evos somehow managed a second-place skidpad run of 0.93 g and were above average in braking. Hankook just launched a new extreme-performance Ventus R-S3 model, which wasn’t available in time for this test but likely has sharper dry responses.
In the wet, however, the V12s were as sporty and connected as they come, with grip second only to the PS2s’ and the best braking. The Hankooks were extremely consistent, likely because they were so well-behaved, which made them easy to drive quickly. Subjectively, they felt the best around the track, even though their time trailed slightly behind the Dunlops’.
With above-average wet and dry performances, and tying for quietest on the street loop, the V12 Evo is an impressive and well-rounded summer tire. And, at $106, it’s a bargain, too.

 

I put the 215-40-18s on and they look great. And they rubbed. I put in a small spacer in each of the springs (it didn't raise the car, just didn't compress quite as much) and that solved the problem. I've had no issues since. They ride just fine and they even worked ok in the winter with some snow and 10 degree temps.

 

What Mini do you have? And what wheels?

On my 06 JCW cabriolet, running JCW wheels, there's zero rubbing with that size tire (Hankook Ventus V12 Evos), even running fully loaded and driving hard.