My wife and I ordered a 06 MCS with "S" lites and am thinking about up sizing the tire. How big of a tire can I install w/o rubbing. 225/45-17s? I will NOT be lowering the car. I have seen way too many wheels w/ curb rash on the 205/45-17s! My BETTER half may rub a curb or two. (i.e. help proteck the black powder coated wheels!) White with black roof, mirrors & stripes. NO thanks to 16" or 18" wheels
Thanks for your time,
Randy & Meg

 

215/45-17 works, no problem. It looks like I could fit 225/45
on my S-Lites (with Kumho Ecsta 712's) but haven't tried.
224/45 would be pretty tall.

 

i think Nitto's make NT555's in the 225/40/17 size...but not sure if id
recommend that size nor the product.

 

Larger tires will not prevent curb rash, only being careful of staying clear of curbs will help keep your rims safe.

Stock sized 205/45-17 tires are fine. Some rims are more prone to scraping if you are not careful but any rim can be damaged if you park too close or if you jump a curb.

Larger sized tires could help minimally- 215/45-17 is safe for no rubbing with stock suspension. 225/45-17 could rub but that would be much more likely with any lowered MINI or with certain aftermarket rims. You can check with alex@tirerack.com for fitment issues using a stock MINI (rims and suspension). 215/45-17 offers a large selection of tires to choose from.

 

Have not seen a copy of MC2magazine in Canada yet. Book stores and MINI dealers still waiting also. I'm curious what their article on wheel&tire choices were for the MINI??? Run flat recommendations? Non-RF's? Winter tires?
Can anyone help out with their review & recommendations? Thanks [IMG]images/smilies/smile.gif[/IMG]

 

I'm running 215/40/ZR17 Toyo Proxes T1-R. They have a 'rim protector' lip on the part of the tyre wall closest to the wheel....I have curbed one wheel bouncing off a tall gutter trying to avoid a car coming into my lane - but that was quite a big one.....even took a 3 inch long chunk out of the tyre (ironically, the 'rim protector' part....).

The tyres have been great...I'd reccomend them! They are slightly noisy, but have a good ride quality and they grip like 'ell in both wet and dry..... They are a pretty soft compound, but I've gotten 25000km and a track day out of them so far, and I reckon I have a few thousand left in them yet...

 

Are there any of you actually running 225/45's or 225/40's? Try to put your finger between the front strut and the wheel . There's no clearance even on my 205's. I did some calculations using Yoko ES 100's as my base. If you went with 215's, the section width increases only .3" which is neglegable but 225's increase .6" which means it will bulge out an extra .3" on each side of the wheel. I'm not sure it will fit at all w/o any spacers.

 

http://1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

Stock tire size is 205/45/R17x7

Width, thickness, rim size.

You can change your sizes using the above calculator, and find out the difference % wise the change is... And the calculator will show the info in an easy to read format. I believe I read any change less than 3% different is good, otherwise you'll have to take the car to the dealer to recalibrate the speedo.

 

curbing aside, what IS the largest tire on can fit on s-lites with stock suspension?

215/40/17?

225/40/17?

225/45/17?

I am interetsed in both width and diameter. I know I know about throwing speedometer off - I no so concerend about that. I am concerned and wanting, however, to increase the contact patch...

Thanks

Derek

 

Derek,

I am sporting 215/40/17 BFG g-force Sports on s-lites for now, and i am absolutely happy with the combo. it looks muscular, handles good. I did not put on 215/45/17s, for two reasons: 1. i have lowering springs 2. would not look right.

so, is 225/45/17 doable? yes, and i strongly beleive it will rub like a ****

 

I hear that. San Antonio has the greasiest roads I've ever driven on.

 

must be all the enchiladas...

So - 215/40/17 is a common upgrade...
anybody going to 215/45/17 w/o rolling, cutting or rubbing?