Most liked posts in thread: Ditching The Run Flats Finally!!!

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

Possible? How much rubbing?

 

No personal experience, but there has been lots of discussion on NAM over the years. You could start with these:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/tires-wheels-and-brakes/23863-ran-autocross-on-225-50-r16-tires-on-lowered-mini.html
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/tires-wheels-and-brakes/267394-what-is-the-max-tire-width-on-a-stock-16-cooper-s-rim.html

 

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

 

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.