Ditching The Run Flats Finally!!!

Discussion in 'MINI' started by Promius, Jul 10, 2016.

  1. Promius

    Promius New Member

    Dec 11, 2015
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    So it's time for me to get new tires. My MINI is currently rocking 16" stock run-flats on 6-Star Twin Spoke Alloy Wheels. (pic below)

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    I believe my tires are 195-55-16. I read that I could fit 205-55-16 on a MINI no problems? is this true? Should I stick with 195-55-16? 205's has a little more girth and a tiny bit wider. If I could fit those on my current wheels that would be great.

    Thanks guys and gals.
    G
     
  2. Guapish_Fliver

    Guapish_Fliver New Member

    May 31, 2016
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    I second the question, only I would like to know the widest tires that will fit. I think you could go wider than 205... 10mm isn't much of a difference at all.

    Wider is gooder.
     
  3. Promius

    Promius New Member

    Dec 11, 2015
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    yea I want wide. But I'll let the pros chime in before I buy. This will be the first time buying tires for my MINI.
     
  4. old81

    old81 Club Coordinator
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    May 4, 2009
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    205 x 50 or 205 x 55 will be fine on your MINI, I went 205 x 50 in the past with my 07 R56. The extra bite is nice.

    :)
    Don
     
  5. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

    May 7, 2009
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    215/50-16 will work. 225/50R16 may also work but with possible rubbing depending on the profile of the tire. However, as you go wider tire on the the same wheel width, the sidewall roll also increases. One other consideration is the choice of tires available in each of the sizes.
     
  6. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
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    The good news is there are lots of tires that are better than the your run rocks so it would be extremely hard to screw up. :Thumbsup:
     
  7. Guapish_Fliver

    Guapish_Fliver New Member

    May 31, 2016
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    Possible? How much rubbing?
     
  8. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

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  9. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2012
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    Every extra 10mm is basically 3/8 of an inch in section width. That is the width from peak to peak on the sidewall. not the tread width. The tread width increases with section width.

    It is my experience that any car can ad 10mm (ie: 195 to 205) with no downside.

    In your case, a 205-50-16 will be 3/10 of an inch shorter than what you have now in diameter. Good for acceleration. A 205-55-16 will be 1/2 of an inch taller. Good for highway gas milage. Neither one will make a substantial difference in your speedometer reading. If you want the wheel wells to look fuller, go with the 205-55s.

    Any decent regular tire will ride and handle better than your run-flats.

    FYI: I got the numbers above from the tire size calculator at Miata.net.

    CD
     
  10. Rastoff

    Rastoff New Member

    Jul 13, 2016
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    Remember, it's not just whether or not the tires will rub, but how they fit on the rim as well. The 215 width is about as wide as you want to go on a stock wheel. I believe the stock wheels are 7" wide. A tire larger than 215 will require a larger rim. Then you have to consider offset and wheel well room.
     

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