I am in the process of purchasing some winter tires and wheels for my 2010 R57. The factory set are 205/45R-17. Because of the lack of selection, I am thinking of switching to a 215/45R-17. Are there any disadvantages to making this switch? My main concern is I don't want them to stick out past the car or rub?

Does anyone have some experience with this?

Thanks

 

215/45 17 can be used. It is a little wider and taller than your stock tires. However, they will not be as good in the snow since they are wider than stock. Stick to skinny tires for the winter for improved snow traction.

 

The problem with that stock size are my choices. I want to go with the Blizzak tire but the only one that will work in that size is a run flat. I want to stick with a non run flat tire. My other choices are Winter Sottozero Serie II & Primacy Alpin PA3.

Thanks for your help.

 

Have you considered another set of wheels for the winter tires? It's usually wise to down-size tires for snow driving, not increase width. With the smaller contact patch, you will be distributing the weight of the car over a smaller area and the tires will have the best chance of digging into the snow deeper, rather than riding over the top and skating. Just my $.02.

 

Thanks for the $.02 What would be a good fit for the model? I am purchasing new wheels at the same time so I will have 2 sets. Winter and all other.

 

I am looking into smaller but would less than 1/2" (0.39") increase make that much of a difference?

Thanks

 

Do you have a justa, an S or JCW? If you downsize the width, you will likely need to downsize the diameter from 17" to 16" for my winter tires. This is what I did for my winter set up and so long as you don't have a JCW or a big brake kit, then 16" rims should clear your brakes. It opens up a world of options by going to 195/55 16"

 

Downsizing the rim to 16" is a good idea if it is possible for your car.

Also you should consider the run flats for winter. Snows will drive with less precision and cornering capability. Also run flats are good so you do not have a flat tire in the cold and be left stranded out there. Is there a reason you do not want run flats for winter tires?

 

The difference between a 215 and a 195 tire width (with a 195/55/16 tire) should be significant and noticeable in tough snow situations. Tire Rack shows 11 winter tires (4 of them run-flats) in size 195/55/16. They also show 84 16" aftermarket wheels to fit your MINI; some of which might be competitive in ugly wheel contests. They'll ship wheel and tire packages already mounted and balanced.

 

Jim my stock tires are 205/45 17. What I was trying to ask is if the .39" difference would be noticeable? I don't want to go down to a 16" wheel if possible. My choices at Tire Rack are 1 runflat and 2 tires that are not the Blizzak. I also wanted to get a non runflat tire.

I have 3 choices. 1) Go with a Blizzak Runflat in the 205 width 2) Go with a Blizzak non Runflat in a 215 width 3) Go with a 205 width Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II (Performance Snow) non runflat.

 

LSE,

Like I mentioned before, why not go run flats for winter tires.

 

I knew what your current wheels and tires are; but some of us are trying to get you to go to 16s (it's not our money), while slinger wants you to go with run-flats (it's not his money). Either way, you'd have more choices with 16s.

Actually, if you stick with 17s, the .4" width difference shouldn't be as much of a concern as getting the best winter tire for your needs.

 

Thanks Jim. I appreciate you taking the time to even answer. I hope I did not come off the wrong way. I visit this site because there are so many people like yourself that are way more knowledgeable then myself. Again thanks!

 

Thanks Slinger. I guess that I have seen many people saying that they like the non runflat better? A better ride maybe? So you think the runflats make for a good winter tire? If this is the case then the choice is simple.

Do you own another set of non run flats? If so how do you like them?

 

I went the snow tire route last winter and this is the tire that I got in the 195-55x16 size and love them:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....zzak+LM-60+RFT

Most of the negative comments about the RFT tires are about the OEM tires. These snow tires in the 16" size ride better than the non-RFT 17 tires that I run in the summer time. I ski and my MINI is now my "Jeep" and the last thing I want to do is to have to change a tire in the middle of a snow storm. The bonus is that they are really great snow tires.

My other suggestion is to buy a set of used MINI wheels (there is one set on NAM right now). These are much stronger than most aftermarket wheels and will be cheaper.

 

In all honesty the slightly wider 215's will likely handle better than the 205's because of the wider rubber, but will perform slightly worse in snow. Overall the difference in width is small enough on a hard compound winter tread that you may not be able to tell. I would still give Tirerack a call to ask then just how much of a difference you will see.

I actually ended up with he Dunlop Wintersport run flats in 195/55 16's on a cheap set of decent looking rims from Tirerack. They came mounted and balanced with tpms installed. I have never used winter runflats so I'll report back on them in a few months. As LSE mentioned, I don't want to be searching for a hole needing a plug on a slush coated tire and more importantly I don't want my wife waiting that long for AAA. That being said I'm switching out my summer tires to non runflat 215/45 17's and definitely appreciate not liking the run flat ride. On 17 inch rims the run flats are brutal and shaking my fillings loose.

 

Most people like summer non run flats as they ride better and have great road holding. Those are the two things you will not get in winter tires. The deep thread will make handling vague and the heavy tires will not give you much feel anyway.

That said, add run flat and you probably would not feel much of a difference anyway. Plus you get a little more security from the run flats at a time you don't want to be out there changing a tire. Even AAA will be slow getting out there to get you.

 

Eddie's ski jeep-ni. That's what you use those racks for.

 

thanks for all the information guys