Hello. I searched and didn't find anything. Has anyone installed low profile tires on their stock 16's wheels? Such at the ones I have:

 

What do you consider low profile? We run 205/45-16, not on stock wheels for autocross. For day to day driving, I prefer more regular sized tires (205/50-16).

 

What are you trying to do? Improve the aggressiveness for looks?

The problem with low profile tires is that tire diameter will be less than OEM which increases wheel gap unless you lower your suspension.

Lower profile tires are often used for track or autocross but are harsher riding for street use.

Most Street tires for general use don't come in lower profile sizes.



Some examples of MINIs with 16" wheels and 205/50-16 tires.
I think they have stock suspension.

Given the stock 16" MINI wheel is 16x6.5"

Possible tire sizes are-
195/55-16 OEM size
195/50-16 fits 5.5-7" rim, 23.7" tire diam. is OK for stock MINI.
205/50-16 fits 5.5-7.5" rim, 24.3" tire diam. is OK for stock MINI
205/45-16 fits 6.5-7.5" rim, 23.2" tire diam.
215/45-16 fits 7-8" wide rims, not really suited for narrow OEM rim. 23.6" tire diam.
205/55-16 fits 5.5-7.5" rim, 24.8" tire diam.
225/50-16 fits 6-8" rim, 24.8" tire diam.
225/45-16 fits 7-8.5" rim, 23.9" tire diam.

Tire selection varies with tire size. Most tires don't really come in lower profile sizes but there are a few exceptions. 195/50-16 is promising if that works for you, some good Ultra High Performance All Season tires in that size.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am looking to improve handling/grip. Didn't know if it was best to go up to a 17' tire/wheel package or if I could change the tires on my stock 16's.

 

What is your tire budget?

How important is handling/grip over ride comfort/ low noise vs long treadlife and summer vs All Season, or dry vs wet roads?

There are tires that will fit your OEM 16" wheels that are $150 a tire or less, excellent grip but only for warmer weather (summer tires), they wear fast, and give up a little on comfort. This would be an Extreme Summer tire or Max Summer tire.

Example of Extreme Summer tire for 16" wheel-
BF Goodrich Rival
225/50-16 $143 each, fits rims 6-8" wide, 23 lbs, 200 treadwear
Dunlop Direzza ZII
205/50-16 $138 each, 22 lbs, 200 treadwear

Max Summer tire-
Continental ExtremeContact DW
205/50-16 $84 each, fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide, 19 lbs, 340 treadwear
Better comfort, lasts longer, not as grippy as Extreme Summer tire, but very good at a lower price.

Then there are tires that compromise on everything, good handling with longer treadlife, good comfort, can be run in three seasons including some light snow. This would be an Ultra High Performance All Season tire.

Example Ultra High Performance All Season tires-
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
205/50-16 $117 each, 19 lbs, 540 treadwear, comes in other sizes too.
Kumho Ecsta 4X
205/50-16 $80 each, 20 lbs, 420 treadwear
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3
205/55-16 $134 each, 23 lbs, 500 treadwear
Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS
205/55-16 $96 each, 23 lbs, 400 treadwear

 

First off awesome and complete answer! I live in the PNW near Seattle so good wet traction is important. Budget, nothing over $150/tire so that all seems fine.
handling/grip over ride comfort= 60/40
low noise vs long treadlife=70/30
summer vs All Season=All season
dry vs wet roads=30/70 (wet traction important.)

 

If you're looking for all seasons, the Conti DWS are pretty good. I'm quite surprised to find a big difference between 16" wheels (205/50-16) and 17" (205/45-17). The 16s are definitely lacking grip, but are very comfortable, the 17s have noticeably more grip, but they're noticeably less smooth riding. We had DWS with 16" on Tristan, and now DWS with 17" on Bertie. They're very quiet.

 

OK, this is helpful.

Looks like an Ultra High Performance All Season tire.

Good in wet, quiet, with good overall handling/grip at a reasonable price.

One way to get slightly better handling for a given tire is to try to get a lower profile sidewall without getting too extreme.

Normally 195/55-16 is the OEM size, 205/50-16 is next best with tire diameter of 24.1" nearly OEM. However it is possible to do a little better than that.

195/50-16 fits OEM 16" rims, weighs less at 17 lbs each, has a small 23.7" tire diameter but it's still OK, and load rating is OK at 84. $110 each.
and
205/45-16 fits OEM rims, 17 lbs each, tire diameter is very small at 23.3" a full inch less than stock so some speedo and odometer error and more wheel gap. But lowered ride height/ lowered road clearance. Load rating is OK at 83. $113 each.

I have run small 205/50-15 tires on the street with my MCS, it was fine so it can be done.

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS is known for being more comfortable, it's not the best at handling or grip but it's good. Anytime you get better handling you may loose some ride comfort and increase noise or increase price.

Since handling and grip were important for you, if you are willing to trade off a little comfort for better dry and wet traction then consider-
Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS in 205/55-16 for $96 each. 23 lbs, 24.9" tire diameter. This is one of the best tires for handling in it's class wet or dry and is reasonably priced. Though it is a 55 series sidewall, it's less comfortable than the Continental DWS on the street.