Brakes Wheels 1st Gen Tires Most liked posts in thread: 15" Wheels for R53

They fit just fine.....

 

Good honest dirt. That's back when the MINI had to go out no matter what the weather. Now when it snows I just stay home & stay warm. :donut1:

 

Crashton, that is exactly what I run in Winter. 185x65x15

 

Snowy winter......aargh!!!!

 

15' fit a r53 fine....I have 2 sets...
A 6.5 widrh set of aftermarket rims (currently snows), and an OEM 5.5 wide set off a 2013 cooper I picked up cheap (cheap all season touring rubber)....
Great option if the tires you want to run are available in a 15...heck the tires I put on the 2013 rims cost me about $40 each after rebate...generals, but heck figured I'd try them out since the cost was so low, and UHP 16' tires were just too expensive to use every 20-30,000 miles...
I run 185's on the OEM...look fine...think a 195 would be OK with most tires and not look bad sidwwall wise..no excess buldge or poke...
On the 6.5, they are the same widths as the OEM 16's, so 195's are fine, but 205's would be OK too if looking to run allseasons on crappy roads for a comfy commute...
My suggestion....with a s, do not go below a 195....the 185's I run are OK...but car is screaming for more rubber....good for snow, but not so fun...but to be honest, the tire selection in 185 is decent and CHEAP....heck I can do 30 mpg highway with full tanks, ac blowing full with the 185's....

 

I run 205/50/15 Nitto Neo Gens on holeys during the summer and 185/65/15 Blizzaks on 8-spokes in the winter...never have had a problem with either.

 

I run Blizzaks on a spare set of rims on my R50. Awesome snow tyre. Only let me down one time in all of carp we had in NW Ohio last winter, and that was more my fault. Too much confidence in the tyres, and pushed too hard. Spare rims are 15 inch, and the same design as the ones that came on the car. Tyres and rims cost just under $600.

 

So long as you've not modded the brakes to something larger I don't think this is an issue at all.

However, I am not 100% certain. A trial fitment is always in order.

 

Hmm good to know

 

WOW...a DIRTY R53 in the Winter that's GARAGED, to boot!! Shame on you....:devil:

 

I'm using 185/65/15 Pirelli snow control winter 190 tires. I got them for a steal of a deal from Tire Rack a few years ago. To tell the truth that are not the best I've used, I rate them as OK.

I wore out a set of 185/65/15 Hakka 2 snow tires. They were great, but hard to find. When I saw the deal at Tire Rack I jumped on the Pirelli's.

My wife's car uses Blizzak WS70 snow tires. These are the best I've used & when I wear out my current snow shoes I'll be buying a set for my MINI.

 

Perilli snowsport p210 snows....now discontinued...
Similarly, they were more like a super aggressive all season (with a snowtire rubber) than a supper aggressive snow tire...pretty happy with them since they did do great on dry roads, and fine in rain...snow was very good, but blizzacks they were not!!
Issue with many snows is they ONLY do snow well....and in warmer temps, or rain they can get almost as Scarry as all seasons in deeper snow....so I found a set of compromise snows as I considered the p210 snow sports...had great grip on icey spots, so much safer and gave loads of traction, so great for me....once had a SUV 4x4 jerk tailgateing me....lol...I zipped up on on ramp....they tried to keep up...let's just say they had all seasons....looked back...they were in the ditch...PRICELESS!!
Have not really considered the next set...my snows are mostly spent... But may use the allseasons unless I find a "deal" since the tread is so deep since they are faily new....

 

Snow tires are a compromise on dry roads. My experience in the wet is they are great. I agree the Pirelli's that I have shine on dry & wet roads & at best are Ok winter tires. They go & stop pretty well, but they lack any side bite.

 

All this snow talk makes me wish for some rain!