Hey all, I'm expecting a set of Ro_Ja LT5's in 17 x 7, with a 42 offset in the next few days-ish. I currently have the stock 16" wheels with Falken Ziex 512's on them.

I'm thinking of sticking with the same tires, but I want to know what you guys' experiences are with the different sizes. 205/45, 215/45, 205/40, or whatever.

I'm going to be running these wheels with M7 springs, and I don't like too much sidewall on the tire (mostly for looks reasons). I don't mind a little harsher ride, which I understand comes with a lower sidewall tire.

Anyway, advise would be great! Thanks :D

 

What is your budget?
How much do you like the Falken Ziex ZE-512s?
Do you have much rain to drive in? If so then an all season tire would be OK otherwise a Max Summer tire or Ultra High Perf tire would be best.

For 17x7 wheels with +42mm offset and M7 Springs, to minimize rubbing you'd want to consider:
205/40-17 Too small and load is too low except for autocross with one person.
205/45-17 Is possible but not much selection of tires.
215/40-17 OK and is lower profile with slightly low load rating.
215/45-17 Is OK but might be slight chance to rub.

 

Interesting that you mention load rating. I don't typically have any more than 2 people in the car, but I do sometimes do supply runs for the office and stuff, which could include numerous boxes of paper and stuff like that.

I do really like the Falkens for the type of driving that I do, but I'm not opposed to trying out something new like the Toyo Proxes 4's or some Kumho Ecsta MX's. I don't have much rain to drive in being in SoCal, but this season we have had quite a bit, and the Falkens were awesome.

I do really like the look of the 205/40/17's though...

 

So... I checked into the load rating thing, and edgeracing has the Falkens mentioned above in a 205/40 with a load rating of 84. What do these numbers represent?

 

Load Index

P195/60R15 87S - The load index (87) is the tire size's assigned numerical value used to compare relative load carrying capabilities. In the case of our example the 87 identifies the tires ability to carry approximately 1,201 pounds.

The higher the tire's load index number, the greater its load carrying capacity.

89 = 1,279 pounds
88 = 1,235 pounds
87 = 1,201 pounds
86 = 1,168 pounds
85 = 1,135 pounds

A tire with a higher load index than that of the Original Equipment tire indicates an increase in load capacity. A tire with a load index equal to that of the Original Equipment tire indicates an equivalent load capacity. A tire with a lower load index than the Original Equipment tire indicates the tire does not equal the load capacity of the original.

Typically, the load indexes of the tires used on passenger cars and light trucks range from 70 to 110.

Alex

 

I just sold my Ro_ja LTs last weekend and have the correct hubcentric rings if you need them. I also have a set of chrome lug bolts that work well with the LTs. PM me if you are interested - I'm in Irvine.

 

Thanks guys! After posting, I checked out the Tire Rack's knowledgebase articles, and dang, there's some good info on there!

I was wondering, what advantages would there be, if any, of a 215/40 over a 205/40, other than the obvious of more rubber on the road?

Any thoughts or opinions on this?

Miles

 

For your 17x7 rims. Check your stock tire for it's load rating so you can compare with:

215/40-17 Load rating of 83 1074 pounds
205/40-17 Load rating of 80 992 pounds

Both are lower than the stock load rating found in the
205/45-17 tire (Pirelli Eufori@ Load rating 84 1102 pounds)

Neither would be best for street driving with four people.
For a strictly track or autocross situation with one person in the car you could use the 204/40-17 tire. It's not a good solution for street use even though it does fit the rim.

Some owners do use 215/40-17 for street use and with one or two persons in the MINI. Four persons would be at the limit. The other option is 215/45-17 (load rating 87 1201 pounds) or just stick with the stock 205/45-17 size.

 

Rick,

If he doesnt want the hubrings and lugstuds i would like to possible get them from you. Thanks david

 

Other question... Do you think I'd notice a decrease in gas mileage going to a 215/40 tire from a 205/40 tire?

 

The Falken Ziex 512's actually offer a load rating of 87 in the 215/40 size...

 

Those load ratings I quoted were from tirerack for
Bridgestone potenza S-03 or Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires in those sizes

Load rating is based on tire size and can vary with tire construction.
The ZE-512 has a load rating of 84. $60 17.6 pounds in 205/40-17
http://edgeracing.com/tire/774/
ZE-512 in 215/40-17 load rating of 87. $77 each 19.8 pounds.
http://edgeracing.com/tire/775/

The heavier and wider 215/40-17 tire will not get quite as good gas mileage due to larger rolling resistance but it will offer better cornering. The load rating of 87 is a plus. It's not that big a deal.

Another good tire that has a load rating of 87 for street use in 215/40-17 is the Avon Tech M500. $99 each
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....tnum=04WR7M500
If interested talk to Alex@tirerack.com

 

Thanks minihune, great info, as usual :D

 

where did u end up getting your hubrings and tuner lug bolts at.. i am in need of getting mine in a hurry beings im putting my formula 5s on for the dragon!! thanks david

 

Hey David, I actually am getting them through a fellow NAM member who had the same wheels but sold them. I lucked out :D

 

So I'm still debating on whether or not 215/40 is too much less sidewall than 215/45. M7 springs + 215/45... will it rub? Hmmmm...

 

Try here:
http://www.rspeed.net/mini/subcat.asp?dept=12&cat=6

 

springs increase negative camber, and this enhances clearance.

Alex

 

True. In the 05' MINI you can adjust a little rear camber for more negative and some clearance so a 215/45-17 tire can fit better. The rubbing may be minimal. Otherwise adjustable RDR/H-sport rear lower control arms will allow for changing rear camber which is where rubbing is likely to occur.

Using H-sport springs in an MCS, H-sport rear lower control arms with -1.5 degrees negative rear camber and 215/45-17 tires I did rub a little in the rear with both Yokohama ES100s and Bridgestone Potenza S-03 tires. Nothing that much, I did not do any trimming but the inner wheel well plastic on both sides wore down and my tires got scraped on the outer edges. Most of the time there was no rubbing but on uneven roads and with four people in the MINI I easily got rubbing.

M7 springs offer a 1.3" drop while H-sport springs offer a 1" drop.

 

Thanks guys...

Also though, I have a Cooper, which won't drop as much as the S will. Might be a very small difference though...

 

Toyo T1s in 215/40/17 is load rated at 1201 lbs. which is 99 lbs. higher than the factory 17" Dunlop runflats.