Most liked posts in thread: Quickie guide to Tires: mid-2009

i have used a couple sets of the gs-d3 205/45/16 and 205/50/16
the 45s had awesome 'gearing' (R50)
and the 50s were a bit more comfortable and (i think looked better as the filled the arch a bit more)
and agree the grip is great (esp in the rain) (i got about .8G wet (.88 peak) and 1G dry (1.31 peak))
but the steering feel is a bit lacking esp compared to the runflats i had before
i would call it a great fast street tire/wet HPDE tire <--- tho me being cheap means i use them for dry HPDE too...

 

just a shout out for dunlop direzza sport z1 star specs in 215/45-17. a great "do it all" tire that gets a little noisy as it's life winds down....but oh so good in dry and wet!

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec

 

215/45-16
Falken RT-615, Kumho XS
From Ryan's Tire Choices.

So my question, for Ryan or anyone who knows, is will these fit with a +42 16x7 on an R53 running coilovers.

I've been reading that the XS is actually measured 9.4 wide instead of the advertised 8.4. I want to try these tires but I'm concerned about fitment on the 7" wide wheel and also with the offset rubbing the coilovers.

Advice? I'd love to get these on the way.

 

Cool.

My coilovers are Eibach, came with the car. I don't know anyone who is running these on a Mini. Any idea if the design is "stock-ish"?

At one point I read that they were the same as another brand, basically rebranded, but I don't remember who. (KW?) I'll try to figure it out.

BTW, still haven't forgotten to get that measurement we talked about in the Eibach thread, I still haven't gotten the car back from the repairs. :frown5:

 

Your choices tires are Spot on!

I wish there were better "Extreme Summer" tires for GP's 18x7 wheel, right now I got GSD3's in 225/35-18 but your right about its mushy feel. Wish there were "Extreme Summer" tires in size 225/40-17 also.

 

look at the top of this page....225/35/18 F1 Asymmetric. Excellent.

 

Hankook Ventus V12

Hankook Ventus V12 Evo 205x45x17 Tires are here but won't be in my car until spring (Mini is on winter storage). Looks good and its very good review from C&D and from users at Discount Tire (plus the $50 rebate) convinced me to order them. The thread footprint looks wide for 205 that should give that square look stance just like my Contis in my BMW.

 

Ryan,

I noticed you listed 235/40/17 but you didn't mention 225/45/17. Is that going to be a good bet for street? I'm worried about rubbing or sidewall slop.

What would you recommend in the same 225/45/17 size for performance all-seasons? I noticed you mentioned the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS what about the Potenza Grid G019?

Thanks for the great tips!

 

Great help, thanks Ryan

 

I wonder what tires she's riding...


Poor MINI.

 

Starts with a Run and ends with a Flats!?

 

WHY?
(Looks like a learning opportunity :smile5

 

Wider tires will not "plow" thru the rain/snow but will rather try to float on top of. You want to get down to the hard stuff for traction.

 

I was looking at the same tire in 215/45/17s. While not the "Ultimate Tire" that isn't reasonable for me to go out and buy given that I choose to DD and autocross on the same tire. Where I am, I don't have to worry about snow but rain is a genuine concern. These tires are a good street/play tire for those of use that don't have an unlimited budget on tires.

They work well in the wet and are a good street tire at the autocross. Thier down fall is when you are tracking or autocrossing them. The sidewall is soft in comparison to other tires on the market. At my level of driving skill it isn't so much that I would notice though. I feel they are a good compromise of wet/dry traction, 15-20K treadwear life, and a great price ($99) on Discount Tire Direct.

Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110 @ Discount Tire

 

Another shout out for the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 215x45x17 for summer. Yeah, I only get 12k - 14k but they hold like glue. Being in the North, I use a set of Pirelli Winter Carving 185x65x15 for winter tires. Being so narrow, the cut through the snow and slush.

 

This is the best tire thread I have found. I have been searching and reading for a few hours and have visited many other forums.
Here is a question I can not seem to find any answers for.
I have a totally stock 2006 MCS with 17" Rims
I am replacing a set of 205/45-17's
I am considering a set of 205/40-17's and understand my Speedometer will suffer.
I am considering these because of the Low price (99.00 each), the Low Profile and the Lower gear ratios this size will provide.

So, will it look odd and out of place on the Stock Mini?
Will it offer any rim protection?
Will it corner better (although it should not be enhancing the ride any)
Would I be better off just ordering the BF Goodrich G-force Sport's in the 215/40-17 Size and pay the extra 12.00 per tire?

I feel the 205's would be faster off of the line and would allow me to be able to shift into 6th gear 5mph sooner..
I like the advantages, but since everyone one else seems to have decided to ignore their existence, perhaps I am missing the obvious.

What is wrong with the 205/40-17's
Are they just simply the wrong size?
To me, the fact that this size would, in essence, be the same as changing the gear ratio.
This lower gear ratio would allow the MCS to zip through the gears faster, giving the Mini an advantage on the street, running faster from one light to the next without breaking the law.