When I ordered from TireRack, I specified the black Alleggeritas. The finish is more of a matte black than the finish on my stock Challenge Spoke wheels. I actually like it better for my car because I think the matte finish goes very well with the Eclipse Gray body. If you really want a glossy black rim, you might be disappointed with this finish. I'll try taking a close up of one of my old wheels next to one of the new ones, but the difference in gloss is hard to see in pictures. Too bad you're on the other side of the country; otherwise, I'd meet up with you so you could see them in person.

 

Just FYI, the 215s have a good bit SHORTER sidewall (.63 in.) than the 205s, not taller!

Lee

 

If the aspect ratio remains constant, then as the tire gets wider, the sidewall gets taller, not shorter.

 

I was worried about this as well but went with 215/4517 PSS anyway. The aspect ratio is really negligible for the price, handling and quality. They fill the wheel well better and perform like a beast! I won't go back to 205 now. I also sold my challenge spokes and bought wheels weighing about 8 lbs less each. That combined with the less weight of the Michelins has made a huge difference in the car. Well worth the cost.

 

As others have noted, the biggest reason for going with 215's is a much greater choice of tires.

 

If your suspension is lowered then clearance in the rear could be an issue using any tires greater than stock tire diameter of about 24.3".

215/45-17 can rub in the rear with a 1" drop for an R53.

You won't have that problem with 205/45-17.

If you have more drop then 215/40-17 is possible but has a shorter and stiffer sidewall that can be rough on poor roads.

 

Not to thread jack but this sort of on topic...

I am buying tires this week and looking at either 205/45-17 or 215/45-17. Curently, I am lowered on TSW springs and I have a 15mm spacer on each side. Will I have clearance issues with the 215/45-17? According to our tire size calculator, the answer is no. However, I trust the experience of you all more than a calculator!

 

I'm lowered on nm engineering springs at about 1.2 to 1.4 lower than stock. No spacers but I have 0 rubbing issues with the 215/45/17

 

The risk of using 215/45-17 and getting rubbing will vary with which MINI you have and which wheels (offset) you are using.

With my R53 and 1" drop from H sport springs and 17x7 wheels with +42mm offset I got rubbing in the rear. You can make the camber more negative to get some clearance but there is no way I could use rear spacers of any sort.

The newer MINIs seem to have more wheel clearance so even with a drop you might do better if the wheel being used doesn't have that much offset.

In general it is always better to use 205/45-17 when there is risk of rubbing

In your case I think no, risk of rubbing is high.

For your current wheels look at how much clearance you have in the rear from wheel arch plastic to tire tread edge. Add a bit more rubber for new tires. Also some tires have a rounded tread shoulder while others are square, more risk for rubbing with a square shoulder.

Note, worn tires allow for much more clearance, assuming about 4/32" of tread left on old tire and 10/32" on new tires. Difference is about .18" x 2 or about a third of an inch more tire diameter.

 

Not your sizes, but on my 06 (full JCW) cabriolet (not lowered but seemingly lower than an S model), when I went to 215/40-18's from the stock 205/40-18's, I had to remove my 15mm spacers. It rubbed front and rear with hard cornering or moderate bumps at speed. Without the spacers, I've had zero rubbing problems even fully loaded with the wife, dog, and packed to the gills for a 2 week road trip. FWIW

 

This is related to tire diameter and wheel offset with or without spacers.

The position of the brake calipers, inner suspension parts, lower rear control arm and inner wheel arches are fixed.

As the tire mounted on the wheel moves closer to any of these objects there can be risk of rubbing.

205/40-18 section width 8.4", tire diameter 24.5"
215/40-18 section width 8.6", tire diameter 24.9"

205/45-17 section width 8.1", tire diameter 24.3"
215/45-17 section width 8.4", tire diameter 24.7"

A stock 17x7" wheel with +48mm offset when using a 15mm spacer will have an overall offset of about +33mm, more than 1/2" more outward.

 

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Here ya go. It's all I have on my phone at the moment. I can send more if you need them.

These are Michelin PSS 215/45R17's. the car is lowered on NM eng RS alpha springs. Absolutely no rubbing issues. The angle of these pics make it appear there is more fender gap and ground clearance than there really is.

 

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Just mounted up the 205/45-17 Kumho LE Sport and I am loving the new look and ride. I have an R50 so I never ran the OEM size tire until now. With a 15 MM spacer @the each corner, the wheel wells look full and this tire is by far a vast improvement over my previous all seasons I was running. I can post pics if anyone is interested...

 

Interesting discussion. One of the reasons I went 17's on my new Clubman was the jump in availability for me locally for used Race Tires for track days. I'd be interested in thoughts of 205 vs 215 so I know what to push for.

 

From what I'm reading, the 215/45-17 seem to fit fine in a non lowered newer hardtop. I.e. No rubbing.

I'm assuming the larger sidewall on the 215 wil give a softer ride than a 205. But is the difference that significant or noticeable?

I've just about had it with the run flats and I'm wondering whether I should go 215 or 205/45-17?

 

In general for most owners using the stock 205/45-17 is where you should start.

In that size look for tires that would meet your needs for how you use your MINI.

If you cannot find a tire that you like and it comes in 215/45-17 then that would be OK on stock rims with stock suspension.

If you have a lowered suspension or plan to lower then don't go with any tire size that is taller than stock, sometimes you have to use a size that is smaller than stock to reduce risk of rubbing such as 215/40-17.

If you use the same tire in 205/45 or 215/45 you will hardly be able to tell the difference on the street on smooth roads.

There is more difference in which tire you choose as some have stiffer sidewall materials and construction, or are designed with more performance in mind vs comfort.

 

Just like TerminalVelocity, I am running the NM Engineering RSe05 17x7.5 wheels (+45 offset), I chose to go with 215/45-17 BFG g-Force Comp2 tires. The car is dropped 1.4" with H&R springs. I have no issues with the setup at all. Everything works beautifully. The tires perform superbly.

 

What MinMin2010 said. 215's should work on a reasonably lowered mini without any trouble at all. If you do the math you will realize the difference in size is minimal overall. Between 205 and 215 the section width is only 10mm greater. Sidewall height is 4.3mm higher and speedo change is basically 0.

MinMin2010 and I run the same wheels (they're awesome) and I believe they're a 45 offset which I think is perfect. The main thing to look at outside of tire size is the offset of the wheels your running. Stock challenge spokes for instance should be able to handle 215's as well with no problem on a lowered car.

I found a great tire/wheel offset calculator. Ill try to post a link if I can remember where I found it.

Btw MinMin! Your car looks great with those rims and I LOVE the CF overlays you got from carbon MIni for the speedo and vents. That is simply awesome!

 

For making tire size comparisons, go here and scroll to the bottom if the top calculator doesn't show up: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html (Never seen one for offset. That would be interesting.)

Assuming nominal numbers and no change in the wheel, going from a 205 to a 215 adds barely over 3/16" of an inch to the inside and to the outside.

 

If you are using stock 17x7 wheels the difference in width is not much.

It is the tire diameter plus width of 215/45-17 that can be a problem.
It may depend on your MINI but my R53 with 1" drop with H sport springs and 215/45-17 tires on 17x7 et42 wheels did rub in the rears with any rear passengers and over any dips.

 

Two weeks into ownership of the 205/45-17 Kumho LE Sport and I am loving the new look and ride it gave my car. Softer on the street but still great in the twisties. No need for the wider rubber just yet.

 

I am using the 215 size tires on my S and am curious what Tire pressure you use. The book says 38 front/back for driving under 100 . Do you use the same for the 215 or something higher/lower/

TIA

Spencer

 

I use 36 front and 34 rear ( cold ) with 215 /45 /17 .