Just wondering if anyone knows if I'll have a problem with this tire size, I'm doing coilovers soon, do I need to make any clearance mods? Tire rack seems to think it will be fine

Alex@tirerack told me that the 215/40's did not have enough of a load rating to meet MINI's specifications. Because of that, I went with the 215/45's instead.

I know that people do run 215/40's without problems, but I decided to play it safe.

but doesn't that take the outer diamater out of spec a bit too much? (going wiht 215 - 45's?)

also I get this backwards all the time... is 40 offset further In or out of the car than 42?

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Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Fan Appreciation Day


2003 Cooper S - Alta Intake - Magnaflow Exhaust - Short Shifter Kit

I'm running the 215/40/17's, lowered on H&R's. Had 'em on for 4 or 5 months now. I am usually the only passenger in the car, but I will say that I loaded it up with my mother-in-law, luggage and other dry goods to the point where the rear was sagging for a 4 hour drive from DC to NJ. No probs....I also know that the Helix MINI test mule was running the same combo for a while.

>>I'm running the 215/40/17's, lowered on H&R's. Had 'em on for 4 or 5 months now. I am usually the only passenger in the car, but I will say that I loaded it up with my mother-in-law, luggage and other dry goods to the point where the rear was sagging for a 4 hour drive from DC to NJ. No probs....I also know that the Helix MINI test mule was running the same combo for a while.


Do you run them on your stock S-Lites?

-Jim

Oooopss...big stupid on me....I knew there was a reason I didn't respond here before. No S-lites for me. Sorry about that. Thanks for the wake up call.....

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>>Alex@tirerack told me that the 215/40's did not have enough of a load rating to >>meet MINI's specifications.

215/40 meet gross axel weight requirements, but 10 lbs or so, but Mini has an aditional 150 lbs load bearing capacity allowed into OE tires that 215/40 can not meet.

Alex

I know this is a stupid question - what are the dangers of running a tire that does not meet load requirements? Simultaneous blowouts at high speed? I honestly don't know, hence I ask.

TIA,
-Dan

im curious i know that alot of use run the 215 blah what ever tire but i was wondering. im interested in getting the falken azenis in the 225/45/17 the only size they come in, in 17 but will they work on a lowered (vogtland springs) mini with stock rims?

>>im curious i know that alot of use run the 215 blah what ever tire but i was wondering. im interested in getting the falken azenis in the 225/45/17 the only size they come in, in 17 but will they work on a lowered (vogtland springs) mini with stock rims?

I would bet you a fair amount of money that they WILL rub.

Sorry.

-Jim

oh well it was a good idea... what about wheel spacers? would they fit then?

>>
>>
>>oh well it was a good idea... what about wheel spacers? would they fit then?

Well, that would make it worse IMO.

I ran a 225 with a Kosei K-1 which puts the inside of the wheel about as close as you can get and it still rubbed on the outside even if I was the only one in the car. Only over bumps though.

-Jim

>>
>>
>>oh well it was a good idea... what about wheel spacers? would they fit then?

It would maker the issue worse with spacers. 225's = dremel time!

Alex

>>I know this is a stupid question - what are the dangers of running a tire that does not meet load requirements? Simultaneous blowouts at high speed? I honestly don't know, hence I ask.
>>

When a tire is underloaded it has the potential to over diflect where it touches the road. This additional flexing results in increased tire temperature. A tire's worst enemy is heat. Additional heat build up can make tires more likley to fail. - Aside from the tire providing a lack of protection for your wheels.

Alex

Alex,

My 205/40/17 Toyo proxie (sp ??) have a load rating ( i assume ) on the sidewall after the tire size that is 84, the same as the stock 17" runflat.

Isn't this the same load rating?

Gerry

Moonshine -

I think that the load rating that tires have are often off by 1-2 hundrend lbs. they have to fit in one of the standard amounts. For example, the stock runflats say 1102lbs. but the air chambers are actually able to carry 1140lbs. - which i think is not a standard rating, so they say 1102.

Most, if not all, 205/40/17 say 1102lbs. but most likely do not actually hold 1140. There is some book that Alex mentions that he uses that gives the real load capacity for tires.

Sdanaher

thanks, however what i am struggling to understand is that the 84 load rating corresponds to 500kg limit, and the MINI maximim axle weight is i think 870 kg on front / 700ish on rear... (source specs on mini2.com)

then how can the 500kg per tire be even approached? if the 500 kg limit is per tire, then this equates to a theoretical load limit of 1000kg per axel?

am i missing something here or is it really that straight forward?

Gerry


>>Moonshine -
>>
>>I think that the load rating that tires have are often off by 1-2 hundrend lbs. they have to fit in one of the standard amounts. For example, the stock runflats say 1102lbs. but the air chambers are actually able to carry 1140lbs. - which i think is not a standard rating, so they say 1102.
>>
>>Most, if not all, 205/40/17 say 1102lbs. but most likely do not actually hold 1140. There is some book that Alex mentions that he uses that gives the real load capacity for tires.

I wouldn't worry one bit running 215/40's - that's what I just ordered. The problem, as Alex put it, is deflection if you hit a deep hole, etc.. But that is a problem for any tire that's under inflated. The load rating is so close that it should not be an issue.

Run a 40 but be sure you're never under inflated. And don't overload the car.

Phil

I run 205/40/17 - but am switching soon.

I have not had any problems in 750 miles of using them on my MCS.

That said, I check tire pressure 3x a week. And keep them very well inflated at 35-36 per someone at Tirerack's suggestion.

>>I wouldn't worry one bit running 215/40's - that's what I just ordered. The problem, as Alex put it, is deflection if you hit a deep hole, etc.. But that is a problem for any tire that's under inflated. The load rating is so close that it should not be an issue.
>>
>>Run a 40 but be sure you're never under inflated. And don't overload the car.

Another thing to remember is that the max load rating is under the best conditions and inflation. If you are under inflated then the load rating will go down and you are already at a very low level so there is no room for error.

I run 215/45-17 tires on 17x7 rims.

depends on how many people or how much cargo you have in the car too.

I don't foresee any problems with just me and the wife on the car with
215/40/17's going through the twisties as long as the airpressure is
up around 35-37psi cold.

kenchen - i have no problem with me and a passenger - i keep psi at 35/36 on my 205/40/17

Just watch out for potholes