I have a '13 base cooper (yeah I wish it was an S too) Its come time for me to replace the current tires as Ive owned it for 1 year now. currently it has 205/45/17 on the conical mini 17x7 wheels. It is slightly lowered (not sure what the previous owner did to it as he didn't know much about the car). I have been debating between replacing the tires with another set of 205/45/17s but if there is any performance benefit to 215/45/17s or if that will cause rubbing? I have read the 215/45/17s are slightly taller than the stock 205/45/17s. I have attached a couple photos to show the fender gap right now.

For the tire I was looking at the Conti Extreme Contact Sports they seem to have excellent reviews for their price point. I am open to suggestions!

 

I think my car has those Contis - but runflats. I'm shocked I don't hate them. They do okay Will replace them with firehawk 500s or Pilot super sports.

I bet you'd notice zero difference in pure performance over such a small difference - would focus on the tire make up and capabilities more than its width.
Maybe the best comparison calculator online:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...5r17-215-45r17

 

oh - and http://bndtechsource.ucoz.com/index/...alculator/0-20

 

 

Michelin Pilot Super Sport 215x45-17. Awesome tire wet and dry, no rubbing and I'm lowered more than you.

 

Even better, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in 215/45/17.

 

I’m happy with my Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tires. Speedo reads more accurately than it did with OEM run flats. Great summer (wet & dry) tires. Tested them extensively at MOTD.

 

ContiExtremeContact Sport in 215/45R17 is also great.

 

zachh,

Continental ExtremeContact Sport Max Summer tire
215/45-17 at $122 each, is a good choice and should work fine for you.

Tirerack test results-
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=223

For the price it does very well. Should be fine on fit and not rub.

 

any 215/45-17 is going to fit no problem, the MINI speedometers are set to read a bit high so the slight diameter increase of a 215 vs. 205 is not going to be a problem, and will probably bring indicated speed a bit closer to real speed.

Don't know where you are in CA, but unless you're in the Sierras or far northern CA you can drive a Max or Extreme performance summer tire year round. The type of tire is going to make more of a difference than the size, switching from an all season 500 treadwear rated tire to a max performance summer tire with a 300 treadwear rating will be a huge difference. After that going to a 215 will be a small incremental improvement in cornering.

That said, there's a lot of positive reviews here for the Michelin Pilot AS3+, just put a set of those on the wife's car and they are very good.

 

Im down in SoCal, literally never rains, Yeah the tires I got the car with are all seasons with 500 tread. Sounds like a Summer tire will be perfect, thanks for the input!

 

All seaons tires are not good at anything

 

To be honest the car's handling impressed me as this was the first mini I have driven. Since I have only experienced an A/S tire how much of a difference is it with Summer tires?

 

you may not get any real difference actually. What a sticky tires could do: Improve steering feel. Improve lateral acceleration - think G-forces. Improve stopping distances. If they are lighter weight you could improve straight line acceleration marginally.

Think of it this way - maybe - if you buy the stickiest tire you can afford you have a better chance at avoiding accidents too. A tire with a 50,000mile warranty will do you no good if you car is on it's roof at 20,000miles

Have you considered enrolling in a driver ed / Track day at a local road track? Something to show you the capabilities of the car beyond what you've felt impressed with while running a/s tires.

 

 

if you're in SoCal you probably wont have to drive far

After you get tires you may want brake pads and fluid too. Dont have to worry about big-brake kits or anything - a solid set of pads would be enough. For now.

:D

Drove my car on the Nordschleife (Nurburgring) with Run-flats and about otherwise stock - so it doesn't HAVE to take a lot. I use Summer tires though - Conti-run-flats that came with the car (have had it only since february).

 

I'm voting for BFG G-Force Comp2's.

 

I saw your post that looked fun. Did the brake fade improve with the break pads? I havent done any research on anything break related, do you have any suggestions?

 

I looked at those but most of the reviews on tirerack didnt seem to have very good treadwear. How is yours?

 

Hello All,

BND TechSource has a new and improved website! Please visit us at https://bndtechsource.wixsite.com/home or https://bndtechsource.wixsite.com/ho...ata-calculator for the Tire Data Calculator which now has interactive input for loads and air pressures and outputs for stiffness rates and deflection.

Please let me know your feedback.

Thanks,

bndtechsource