16" tyre size and tyre choice on R52-S
Discussion
Hi all,
I've had an R52 Cooper S for 5 or so years. It's brilliant on a Sunday morning blast which is why I bought it, but not so great trundling around town or on the motorway (obviously!) which is sadly where it mostly gets used. Mostly it's the crashy ride.
I ditched the runflats shortly after I bought it and it has been on the standard 17" "bullet" alloys with Michelin PS4s for the last couple of years. I was very happy with the tyres but the ride is still grim.
I recently bought some MG 16" hairpins which bolt straight on (with different bolts as the seat is different), hoping that it should make a bit of difference with the sidewall, but I am unsure what tyre size and choice to go for.
I liked the PS4s but they're not available in 16" unfortunately. I've enjoyed Uniroyal Rainsport 5s before - I know they won't be the last word in handling but they seem predictable and decent in most UK conditions. Anything else I should be looking at?
Also, size. I am told the standard MINI 16" tyre size should be 195/55 R16, but many people fit 205/50. I figure slightly wider would be a bit grippier and not affect the ride. Might be better on the "S" as well; perhaps the 195s were for the less "sporty" models... I believe Rover originally designed the Cooper S to have 16" wheels and it was BMW that stuck 17"s on at the last minute for looks!
Any thoughts apprecaited!
I've had an R52 Cooper S for 5 or so years. It's brilliant on a Sunday morning blast which is why I bought it, but not so great trundling around town or on the motorway (obviously!) which is sadly where it mostly gets used. Mostly it's the crashy ride.
I ditched the runflats shortly after I bought it and it has been on the standard 17" "bullet" alloys with Michelin PS4s for the last couple of years. I was very happy with the tyres but the ride is still grim.
I recently bought some MG 16" hairpins which bolt straight on (with different bolts as the seat is different), hoping that it should make a bit of difference with the sidewall, but I am unsure what tyre size and choice to go for.
I liked the PS4s but they're not available in 16" unfortunately. I've enjoyed Uniroyal Rainsport 5s before - I know they won't be the last word in handling but they seem predictable and decent in most UK conditions. Anything else I should be looking at?
Also, size. I am told the standard MINI 16" tyre size should be 195/55 R16, but many people fit 205/50. I figure slightly wider would be a bit grippier and not affect the ride. Might be better on the "S" as well; perhaps the 195s were for the less "sporty" models... I believe Rover originally designed the Cooper S to have 16" wheels and it was BMW that stuck 17"s on at the last minute for looks!
Any thoughts apprecaited!
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