OK, so I'm beginning to think about replacing tires on my '04 S and the more I read the more I'm getting confused about sizes. My rims are 17 x 7 cross spoke from MINI by BBS with 205-45R-17 tires. I was looking at the Continental Tires and they don't make that size tire. They do make a 205-50R-17 and a 215-45R-17. Do these work? What are my size options?
Tire sizes The numbers decode to width in mm (205) aspect ratio (percent of width that is sidewall heigth, 45%) and rim diamter in inches (17). So wheel diamter here is 17"+184.5mm (sorry for the mixed unit) or about 24" plus a bit... For a 7" wide wheel, you can get by with a range of tread widths. I've run 205-40s, 205-45s, and 215-40s on my car. I like the 205-45s and the 215-40s the best, all work well and are close to the same diameter. The Conti sizes you listed will work, but will be a bit taller than what you're running now. Another way to go is to put in the tire size at a site like the tire rack, and see what tires you come up with. There's lots of good rubber out there. Matt
Many tire sites have calculators, that you can compare different sizes. This is the one I like: Tire Size Calculator - Discount Tire Direct
The only thing to really worry about is how wide or narrow a tire can go on a rim. If it's too narrow, you end up with something that doesn't really generate traction (There's some funky name for doing this that I don't remember, I sometimes see it on low riders). If it's too wide, the wheel kind of sloshes back and forth a bit and you loose crisp handling. I don't remember the best size for a 7" rim width, but all of these are pretty good fits. Matt
I'm a BIG fan of 215/45R17. I've run three sets of various tires in that size on OEM wheels. They fill the wheel gap a bit, in my case my speedo reads more accurately than stock, they give a little cushier ride than 40's, but they're still sufficiently stiff for most purposes....
I have to agree with Paul, I've just gone thru a set of Pirelli p zeros 215x45x17 and like them alot. Will probably replace with Yokohama S drives or Kumho exsta (sp) boxcars
Thanks I've gone to 215's instead of 205's. Thanks for all the advice. I knew the old set of Goodyear run flats were noisy but really, it's like night and day. The new tires are Yokohama S-Drives. I'll have to let everyone know how they run after I break 'em in. First impressions are good, as expected considering what I had before.
MC I am very interested in your opinion. It is the exact tire i plan to buy, p.s. where did you get 'em and did you get a good deal?? thanks boxcars
that funky name i believe you're referring to is called "stretch", tahts when the wheel itself is stretching the tire outward because the tire is a bit narrow for the wheel width. and theres "poke" when you talk about the wheel/tire combo sticking outside the fenders. all this combined make for the word "stance" or "fitment". but that's a whole other issue :rolleyes5:
S-Drives I got em at Discount Tire. Size 215/45R-17. They had them in stock and I wasn't bargin hunting because I was in a hurry. We're going to drive about 200 miles to the Merry Minis in the Mountians event to run the famous Arkansas Pig Trail tomorrow. That should test them out pretty good!
I like my tires (yokohama S-drives in 215/45R/17). I really put them to the test on the Pig Trail this past weekend and never lost controll. They really helped me out in a few turns where I know I would have lost traction with my old set of 205 run flats. They are smooth riding tires and quieter than my old ones. However, they sing on some concrete stretches of interstate highway but that goes away on ashphalt. And I did notice that they threw off the accuracy of my odometer and therefore I suspect, my speedometer. I will be comparing the circumferences to figure how far off it is, but I dont think it is very much.
thanks mc they are on my short list although i did get one bad review today on a run. (Noisy and not as sticky as the owner had hoped for ) maybe another for me to consider is bridgestone potenza, any comparisons appreciated, boxcars