R81’s 15 inch
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 692
Likes: 91
Depends on what you are going to do with the MINI. For autoX, lots of performance 205/50-15 choices out there. For fun fast street 205/55-15 get you back to almost full outside diameter(taller sidewall), but fewer choices. Make sure the tire you want is made in that size and enjoy! I’ve run both in the past on my R50, run only 205/50 for track, autoX and Dragon Slaying.
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
What type of driving? Street only, any performance events- track or driving school?
Any cold weather, commuting long distance, budget?
OEM wheels are 15x5.5" and OEM tires are 175/65-15 which work and fit but tire selection is poor.
Aftermarket wheels are commonly 15x7" but tire sizes are best closer to OEM tire diameter of 24.3" which give more accurate odometer and speedometer readings.
Small tire sizes like 205/50-15 are OK and tire selection is good but you will get a larger wheel gap and less ground clearance with more risk of hitting front lower lip edge.
For street use it is possible to use-
196/60-15 fits 5.5-7" wide rims, perfect for 6" wide rim, tire diam. 24.2" Comes in various all season tires like Grand Touring (good for commuting) or Ultra High Performance AS classes. Not good for Summer tire selection. Taller sidewall gives more comfort but less crisp handling, well suited for bad roads.
205/55-15 fits 5.5-7.5" wide rims, perfect for 6.5" wide rim, tire diam. 23.9" . Has limited tire selection of 3 Ultra High Summer and one UHP All Season tire.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...=true&filter=y
Tirerack test report
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=217
These tires are OK for street use
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Thanks for the responses, I’m looking to fill the wheel well, not have too big a gap, I’m running stock suspension. Maybe take it out for autoX, but mostly for show. I like the the look of the R81’s reminds me of the old Porsche phone dial back in the 80’s.
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
Ultra High Performance AS or Grand Touring AS are the tire classes to check first.
195/60-15 is a good tire size that fits your wheel and suspension and gives good tire selection for All Season tires.
Since you are doing mostly street driving there are good choices in Grand Touring All Season that provide decent enough handling and very good road manners for daily use-
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...=true&filter=y
Both good budget tires
Yokohama Avid Ascend GT $90 each
General Altimax RT43 $81 each
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=237
Solid overall
Michelin Premier A/S $131 each, costs more but does everything well
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus $112 each, older design, not as good in snow
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