tires for mini cooper ??

[Dan]

I have a 2006 mini cooper with ( 175-65r-15 ) tires on it . my question is will a set of ( 195-65r-15 ) tires fit without ill effect like fender rub or rubbing on the bottom of the struts . thanks

Topic

[Mike]

I mentioned this info in your other recent tire post:

http://www.tirerack.com/about/techcenter.jsp

As long as you understand the tire size calculations, you can do the same thing I do with fitting oversized tires to my cars. I start with the existing tires on the car, calculate how much larger the tires I want are than what are on it already, making educated guesses base on what I explained in your other thread as to how much rubber is missing from my used tires and how much rubber will be wrapped around the new ones (you have to know the model of tire you are measuring clearance for ahead of time). So I get that together and make up a ‘feeler gauge’ out of wood or cardboard and start measuring around the tires for there to be the appropriate clearance. If everything clears, then it’s very likely to fit ok.

You have to pay particular attention to the tire clearance from the strut/suspension at the top and make sure to measure both front tires turned at full-lock in both directions. You also need to be mindful of both possible lowering of the car that you might do AND the suspension compressing during driving, which will decrease wheel clearance. Since you’re widening the tires, you’re going to be able to compress the suspension more during cornering because of the increased traction.

The easiest thing overall is to input your car into the TireRack website and select the tire you want. They have a database of know fitting tire sizes on specific cars and you will be immediately alerted if your choice conflicts with their information. If it does, that doesn’t mean that your tire won’t work, just that it isn’t known to them to work. My most recent ill fitment that worked with this method was fitting my 99 Accord with 205/70/15 snow tires (tall/thick tread) for this past winter when my stock all seasons (thinner tread to begin with) are supposed to be 195/65/15. Tire rack alerted me that they thought they wouldn’t fit, but I measured very carefully and they were great.

Based on the factory tire sizes, you should go with the 195/55/16 if you want a wider tire because it’s already made to fit that. If you really want the taller sidewall, then just use the aforementioned measuring technique.

[Dan]

thanks

[Author]

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