215/45R-17 vs 215/50r-17 ride quality

[Insomniator]

Hey guys, my 04 mini S rides hard, and loud on bumps and while I'm sure new struts all around would help, I'm also just about due for new tires.

I currently have 215/r45-17 and am wondering if the extra sidewall of the 50's would make a difference in ride quality. It should be about 10% extra sidewall, I don't think they'll rub at all (car height is stock, decent amount of space in the arches right now).

Basically, new suspension is optional (probably a grand also), but tires of course will be required. Any idea if the 50's are worth trying?

 

[NutBucket]

What kind of tires do you have and how worn are they?
What air pressure do you run?

There are lots of variables in play. New struts would improve ride quality only if the ones you have are blown.

 

[Midwayman]

I wouldn't concentrate on the aspect so much. You're not on super thin tires already. Do you have run flats by chance? Those always run hard. If not, look for tires with softer sidewalls. That'll probably do more than the small change in aspect ratio.

 

[Insomniator]

They are Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position XL at I'm gonna say... 40PSI. Not run flats, those would be even worse. I'll have to research what people think of the sidewalls, I know they are 'sportier' tires, and Continentals DWS of the same size are cheaper, more popular and probably more well rounded for your average commute..

I don't know for sure if the struts are blown, I know at least the front passenger side was replaced after a minor accident, but the rest are stock with 85k on them.

 

[NutBucket]

40psi? Well there's problem #1. Try 32. Almost guaranteed it'll solve your complaint. And I'm not sure why you would run a XL tire on that vehicle. It's rated for heavier loads (which you do not need) and therefore has a stiffer sidewall. We run the 960 on our WRX and they're great (it's the suspension that's harsh in that car, not the tires).

 

[Insomniator]

They were at 38, just lowered to 32 so we'll see. I don't even remember seeing anything about XL when I bought em 2.5 years ago but point taken. The suspension is stiff in this car too but it's gotten worse... or maybe the roads have.

 

[NutBucket]

The roads probably have gotten worse. Our WRX has aftermarket suspension + lowered. Handles great but bad roads get old fast.

 

[Throckmorton]

Put whatever PSI is recommended. It should be on a sticker in your door jamb

You should Google to see if the fatter tires will fit

 

[Insomniator]

Put whatever PSI is recommended. It should be on a sticker in your door jamb

You should Google to see if the fatter tires will fit

Apparently the 1st gen mini door jam says 30 psi . The label in my car is gone so I didn't know, these were inflated to 38 at my last oil change. We'll see how 32 feels. That would certainly explain the apparent change in harshness.

I know fatter tires will fit

 

[iamwiz82]

My snows on an R56 rub in rare circumstances in 215/50R17 as a heads up. It really depends on the tire.

 

[Zenmervolt]

You're not on super thin tires already.

My how times have changed. I remember when 45 series tires were considered very low-profile and typical sedans would run 65 or even 75 series tires.

ZV

 

[996GT2]

I have a feeling that 40 PSI is your main issue.

Lower the tire pressure to 32 or even 30 all around and you should notice a big difference.

 

[Railgun]

It's a relatively light car with tight suspension. My JCW, now on non-runflats, while better than the OEM runflats, it's still a tad harsh. Not a lot that you will be able to do. If you change suspension to something softer, that will ruin the car IMHO.

 

[exar333]

I seem to remember an old thread here that said 'inflating to sidewall' was always the best option?

 

[thomsbrain]

If and when you do change tires, I'd stick with the factory size, but you can get a tire with a softer sidewall if you want. The Contis will have a soft sidewall and ride smooth, at the expense of steering response.

 

[Throckmorton]

http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/brakes-wheels-tires/5498-225-45-17-a.html#axzz3BWfzBUZU

225/45-17 is generally considered to be too tall for a MINI, sure some run them and they will rub. Some don't care about that though.
225/40-17, I believe there is a Nitto street tire in this size, but yeah this size is rare.
225/50-15 on an 8" wheel sounds like a great combo.

Read more: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/brakes-wheels-tires/5498-225-45-17-a.html#ixzz3BWgHZDxa

If 225/45/17 is too big, 215/50/17 will be even worse

 

[monkeydelmagico]

, I'm also just about due for new tires.

Old tires ride harsh and loud. Fresh rubbers for the smoothness.

 

[Midwayman]

My how times have changed. I remember when 45 series tires were considered very low-profile and typical sedans would run 65 or even 75 series tires.

ZV

Me too. 17-18 or even bigger wheels are stock now on most cars vs 14-15" I remember.

OP those DWS you mentioned have nice gushy sidewalls. They should be considerably more comfortable than your pole positions.

 

[Railgun]

FWIW, I'm running 215/45-17 Eagle F1 Asy 2s and, as mentioned above they're definitely better than the run flats.

 

[Insomniator]

Dropping to 32 PSI has definitely shown improvement, not ground breaking or anything but it seems closer to what it should be (could be placebo effect but whatever). Regardless, I'm down to less than 2/32nds on the rear, 1 almost new, and 1 at about 4/32 in the front. Dangerous setup all around I am aware.

Would any place give me credit for a tire with plenty of tread left?

Has anyone tried the Pilot Sport A/S 3's yet? Between those or the Conti DWS's.

 

[yottabit]

Dropping to 32 PSI has definitely shown improvement, not ground breaking or anything but it seems closer to what it should be (could be placebo effect but whatever). Regardless, I'm down to less than 2/32nds on the rear, 1 almost new, and 1 at about 4/32 in the front. Dangerous setup all around I am aware.

Would any place give me credit for a tire with plenty of tread left?

Has anyone tried the Pilot Sport A/S 3's yet? Between those or the Conti DWS's.

I don't know of any place that would give you a credit for the tire but you could probably sell them on Craigslist/ebay. When you get your new tires just ask for that one back. I believe they usually charge a fee for tire disposal too so you could save a couple dollars inherently haha.

I really think it's a combination of tire pressure and the sidewall stiffness. I remember driving a Scion tC that had 215/45/17 factory and it was pretty comfortable ride wise.

 

[NutBucket]

And of course suspension tuning. My '05 Legacy GT had factory 215/45R17 and it certainly wasn't harsh in stock form.