Brakes Wheels 1st Gen Tires Looking for advice on tire sizes for R50

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by mattc85, Feb 9, 2014.

  1. mattc85

    mattc85 Active Member

    Sep 24, 2013
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    I have a '03 base 5spd cooper and it will be getting new tires very soon. It is all stock, and I don't have any performance mods planned in the near future. It currently has the stock 20lb five spoke 16" wheels. It has 205/55 size tires at the moment, but I noticed while browsing online that 215/50 is an optional size. I'm just wondering if anyone has run a 215/50 and if there are any real gains to be made. I do a fair amount of "spirited" driving on twisty back roads and appreciate grippy tires. The other option I'm considering, if I can find a deal or scrape together a little more cash, is switching to light weight 15" wheels and a wide tire.
     
  2. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I have a set of 215/50/16" tires on 16" R84 v-spokes. I don't like the tires and prefer the 205/50/16 size, instead. Many people here like the wider tires, but not me. I track my S, go to MOTD, and do twistys in addition to daily driving. IMO, the 205 for me is just a better tire that tends not to get caught up in hydroplaning, too.

    BTW, the R84 is the lightest OEM 16" wheel, or at least it was thru 2006...after that, I do not know.
     
  3. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Getting the right tire for the performance/wear you want is actually more important than the size. Those sizes are vey close to the same size. The 50 will be a bit smaller diameter so will have more wheel gap with very little width increase.
     
  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    Going with a lighter wheel will pay dividends to you. A set of 15" oem holey's would work well & are very light. IIRC they are between 12-13 pounds. I'd go with either a 195-55-15 or a 205-50-15.
     
  5. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    1 vote for, 205-50-15. The holeys are nice wheels.
     
  6. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. :Thumbsup:
     
  7. mattc85

    mattc85 Active Member

    Sep 24, 2013
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    Thanks guys. That settles it. 15" rims it will be.
     
  8. mattc85

    mattc85 Active Member

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    It seems all the r81 wheels are quite expensive, and the civic kids like to paint them all kinds of weird colors and call them things like "rare" and try to get $750 for a set with "some" camber wear. I have located a set of 5 star spoolers. They are listed as weiging 13-14 lbs. I feel like this is still pretty significant, considering my current wheels are a little more that 20lbs/ea. I believe they are from second gen cars, will they fit my r50?
     
  9. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Yes they will bolt right up with no problems. Nice looking wheel if you ask me.
     
  10. mattc85

    mattc85 Active Member

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    Thanks! I think so too.
     
  11. Different Computers

    Different Computers New Member

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  12. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    #12 M1N1, Apr 21, 2014
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2014
    I recently purchased a set of 4 R93 OEM 5 spoke wheels for $145 + $94.87 shipping. That's a set of MINI rims for a total of $239.87!!!!!!:D Complete with centre caps. These rims weigh about 15lbs. The rims have no major damage, just a couple of minor scrapes (probably done by a careless tire fitter). This style of rim was original equipment on my M1N1 (see my garage), so I have 2 sets of 15 inch rims. One set with Blizzaks for winter, the other with Michelin Pilot Sports for the rest of the year.
     

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  13. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    15' rims are NEARLY free...
    Heck...got a set of gen2 15's WITH TPMS and TIRES (nealy new)of a 13 a couple years ago....put MY choice of tires on them (use them for winter use)..sold the TPMS sensors (not used on a gen1) and the used 175; tires.....think I MADE $$ or just about broke even...

    Posted this site earlier...good rim info for MINI's//not 100% current..but good info!!
    OEM Wheels and Tires - Mini Wiki
     
  14. Different Computers

    Different Computers New Member

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    Mac Guy
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    I hope I'm not hijacking the thread here, but I'm curious about something I haven't seen mentioned. How does the section width affect the tire characteristics?

    I bought my car with 185/R15s on it. My old 2000 Mercury Cougar is dead, but just before it died I had put some brand new tires on it: 205/R15s. And hell, the cougar has a 4x100 bolt, so barring any offset problem, it looks like I could put the Cougar alloy wheels on the MINI!
     
  15. Different Computers

    Different Computers New Member

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    Mac Guy
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    Bumping because I'm still looking for an answer for my last post. I'm sure my wife would love to get the dead Cougar out of the driveway. But I would love to pull these tires if they're of any use to me.
     
  16. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    You don't mention the aspect ratio of the different sets, makes it hard to compare.
     
  17. Different Computers

    Different Computers New Member

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    Mac Guy
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    Nathan: Great question! How do I determine this?
     
  18. mattc85

    mattc85 Active Member

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    The aspect ratio would be the number in the middle. For example 205-60-R15.
     
  19. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Probably a heck of lot more than you ever wanted to know about the info on a tire sidewall.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Different Computers

    Different Computers New Member

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    Mac Guy
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    Gah! I thought I had mentioned all the numbers.

    On the MINI: P185/60R15

    On the Cougar: 205/60R15

    Thanks in advance!
     

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