You are outside NYC so if you have any snow then All season tires would be safer. If you never get any snow then Summer tires are fine.

I'd suggest-
In 195/60-15 -
in Ultra High Performance All Season tires
Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position RE960AS 400 treadwear AA traction


Or in
205/55-15
in Ultra High Performance All Season tires
Continental ContiExtremeContact $82 each 400 treadwear V rated

 

Thanks Minihune, I do drive it in snow occasionally so I will need an all season. I figured I could use the runflats as my winter tires but my (20yr) old bones can't take it.

I always put Continentals on my past cars, had Contisport2s on my M3, Contipros on my 528i, etc. I wish the Contiextremes came in a 195/60 it would be a no brainer. I still feel like the 205 will be just too much of a balloon on the skinny wheels. I guess I am in the market for wheels now, blast!

 

Ultra High Performance All Season

Ultra High Performance Summer

 

If you do see some snow then All season tires are a must (slow down when needed). Narrow tires are beneficial but unless there is signifcant snow then between 195/60 and 205/55 it's not too bad mostly limited by the width of the rim used. Using 15x5.5" narrow Holeys rims your tire will be fairly narrow no matter what. Both are usable.

Between these two tires the ratings on the Potenza RE960AS is better than the Continentals but I think both are OK for your use. Probably a little more comfort with the RE960AS. It also has great wet traction which for me is the biggest benefit. You can't loose either way.

 

I just checked out the test of the Bridgestones on tirerack, very favorable. I have also been chatting with Jess at 18racing on getting a custom set of RBs 15x7 in the correct hub bore for the MINI. Looks like I may be stuck on s-lites for a while longer now. But on the bright side I can keep checking tire rack for a deal on one of those tires.

 

I have found the online calculator. I am correct. I knew that, that is why I spent 800 dollars on new rims and tires a few months ago.

MCS: 195/55/16
205/55/15 is 2.34% smaller than stock.
205/60/15 is 0.98% larger than stock.

Whether you like them or not, that is the closest while getting a wider tire. 225 can even get closer, but thats a tad wide without changing the wheel well. I will take photos of the car when it was warmer and sunnier next week. The sidewall isnt too big its a tiny difference actually, however, it is closest to stock height for 205 tires.

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

 

El Jefe, what size/offset wheels did you put 205/60/15s on, also any pics? I just realized a set of wheels/tires I am selling off my other car are in fact 205/60/15s (been a year since I saw them going into storage). Soo now that I have a set of tires, it's wheels time!

What do you guys thinking about a 205/60/15 on a 15x8? Would it rub, would it work? What offset?

 

whatever 40 offset means, that is what I have. 15x7 is what i use for that tire, it is really nice and seems perfect. i could go 215 no problem and probably 225 if there were a reason to do so. The next set of tires with the same konig rewinds I want to explore 215 size. I have found that my driving ability would benefit from these... not enough snow to worry about width around here. 205 is nice but 215 would be that much more stable. Wet im concerned with, but 215 isnt huge (?)

 

I used 215s on my 17s and in the rain they are definitely more likely to hydroplane than a skinnier rim. The 215s do have a TON of stick though. More than I could ever use.

I think I am going to try cheap and cheerful for now, a set of holies with the 205/60/15s that I have.

 

ton of stick sounds so nice

like a vette. everyone says how they blow away a mini. ever see the tires on them? they have like 285's or more. A pinto could do the same with 305 tires on it. It is called friction force. I wonder if they ever try to race different cars or time them in the rain/wet situations.

 

I'm running a set of Konig Rewinds with 205/55 Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S on my MC. Couldn't get rid of the run-flats fast enough. Living in Seattle I needed a set of great wet weather tires and I couldn't be happier. It's been a brutal winter here this year with plenty of snow and ice as well and the Exaltos have been fantastic. Never ever felt any hydroplaning even through lots of standing/running water.

 

What tire? Any rubbing? What wheel offset? Is your car lowered?

 

Asked and answered in a different thread, I forgot. I would love to see more pictures of your car with these wheels and tires. I am thinking about going with your setup, but with an et 40, And I am hoping they dont rub! I have 17" TDR Pro Race 1's, 45 et and the stock 205 run-flates. So if my calculations are right, with your setup, the tire will be 5 mm wider on the inside of the wheel well and 15 mm wider on the outside of the wheel well. I am pretty sure I have room for the 15 mm on the outside, but not sure about having 5 mm more room on the inside. I would go look but my MCS is at the dealer for some warrenty issues.