2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Tire size question

215/45-17

 

I has 225/45/16 Toyo R-1s on my R-53. They are nice and fat. The discussion about tire height is accurate, but if you look at the tire manufacturers specifications you will find different brands of tire are actually different dimensions. Some brands are very different.

 

:cornut: Me Too, Me Too! 215 45 R17

Jason

 

I'm also running 215/45-17

 

Let's do the math for sidewall dimensions:
Original 205/45 sidewall is: 205 * .45 = 92.25mm
New size 215/45 sidewall is: 215 * .45 = 96.75mm

So are the 215s taller? Yes
How much higher will the car be? 96.75 - 92.25 = 4.5mm
How much taller are the 215s? (96.75 - 92.25) * 2 = 9mm

And the 205/50s mentioned in the OP are significantly taller and not wider at all. Use the same math to get a 10.25mm higher car stance and a 20.5mm taller tire. I would expect these will rub in the back with any extra weight in the car or even just going over bumps.

And miniwop I thought I saw some RFs for sale on one of these forums for like '$100 less than the Tirerack price'. The thing to remember is that many if not most on these forums hate the RFs so the value to us is very low. Maybe try Craigslist for some different exposure. Good Luck.

 

It is going to be tough to get a wider tire with the stock wheels/suspension w/o some clearance issues. I too run the 215/45 tires as the width is a bit more (1/2") and with the taller (1/4") tire it fills the wheel well real nice.

 

Likewise here, for the street I run 215/45-17s, I like this size much better than the 205/45s.

 

Y'all have 1st gen cars, the OP has a 2nd gen, there is bit more tire room there. 215/45's fit perfectly from what I've seen.

 

I have 215/45's on my R56S and they do Klok a lot beefier than the OEM 205/45's. I didn't like the 215's too much at first but now I do. No figment issues with the 215's either.

 

Look, not Klok!

 

What would be the optimum size tires for a R53 MCS running the stock 16" white factory wheels that I could put on and not have any rubbing issues?

 

205/50-17s

I put 205/50/17 on my Mini Clubman. I had no problems with rubbing or interference. It is indeed taller than the 205/45/17 but I wanted more rubber between me and the road to help improve ride quality and give me more absordsum for hitting pot holes. I also like the way it fills out the wheel well opening.

 

My '07 R56 uses 225/45R17 BF Goodrich Dragstrip radials on the strip. Not a lot of clearance from the shock absorber, but it does clear, and without spacers. No problem with height, only width is close.

As mentioned already, different manufacturers will have slightly different measurements for any given tire size. Suggest checking online with the mfgr for specific dimensions. Tire Rack has a good comparison screen, if they carry what you're interested in.

 

Mine had 195/55/16's on when I got it so that is what went back on in Kumho's ECTSCA SPT Run Flats. The Dealer paid for them and installation,Nitrogen fill and 4 wheel alignment.