I have a 2004 MINI Cooper, justacooper, with 15x5.5 8 spokes. It is my daily driver. Now that's out of the way, on to the question.

I will be needing new tires by the end of the year and would like to put some wider tires on my MINI. Currently have 185/65-15's. However, my budget does not allow me to get new wheels as well. I would like to have the 16x6.5 R84's but that's another thread.

What would be the widest tire for my 15x5.5's? I would like to get the BF Goodrich KDW-2s if they are still available locally. BF Goodrich says that the KDW-2s in the 205/55-15 will fit on a 5.5 rim. However, it is the thinnest fitment for that tire and they aren't made in the 195's.

I do plan to do a few AutoX's and one to two track days a year. Are the 205's a good idea or should I try and find a like kind tire in the 195 size?

 

I have three sets of stock 15x5.5 wheels. One still has a set of stock 175/65-15 Conti A/S tires mounted for winter use, one has a set of 195/55-15 Toyo T1R's mounted for summer use and for wet autocross use, and the other set has 205/50-15 Kumho V710 race compound tires mounted for dry autocross use. I haven't had a problem with either of the wider tires mounted on my stock wheels.

-Keith

 

I'd say 205/50R15's should be great... They make the KDW2 in that size!

 

Just be aware that 205/50 will be smaller than stock diameter and result in the car reving higher in normal driving, plus the car will sit about half an inch lower. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just that 205/55 is probably a better choice for daily driving/light duty autocross use.

 

True - but the car feels really, really alive with 205/50's!

 

I didn't really want to go to the 50 series tires just for that reason, throws the speed-o off too. My fiancé and her MINI are like that, 195/50-15's. Acceleration is better but you really have no idea what speed you are really going.

There will be no issues with the sidewalls being "pinched" into the thinner rims? I don't want to have "catastrophic tire failure" on the highway heading to work.

I am seriously looking at the KDW2 as it seems to have one of the best ratings and official Tire Rack reviews I have found, and at a reasonable price.

 

I have 205/50-15's Azenis on my Holies, humping around VIR up to 110 and had no problems, although I prefer 15x7 Rewinds. I use the Holies on the street, autox, track, whatever, and with 205/50's they're a lot of fun. Major hoot.

I have not put 205/55's on Holies, but I don't see why they wouldn't work.

Some people say KDW2's get loud, let us know how they work.

 

They'll be fine!

The KDW2 is a great performer, IMHO... I've been lucky enough to flog more than one car around on those in the dry and wet... they're pretty daggone nice and very grippy. I have heard that they do get a bit loud when they wear, though...

 

Cool. I think that my mind is made up then. WHoo Hooo!

Thanks!

 

It is actually very easy to know how fast you're going with shorter diameter tires like the 205/50-15. For example that size is approximately 4% shorter than stock, so your speedometer will be off by 4%, which means when your speedometer says you're going 50 mph you're actually going 48 mph, when you're going 75 mph, your speedo is off by 3 mph, at 100 mph, it is off by 4 mph.

-Keith