Recently, I helped a customer find replacement tires for his 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman S. He had been running the Original Equipment run-flat in size 205/55R17. During our call, the MINI owner provided two main criteria. First, he wanted a non-run-flat tire that had all-season capability. Second, there was a restrictive price point that the customer requested. While looking for tires that were the O.E. size, I was coming across mostly run-flat tires, summer tires or options that were higher than the price he wanted.
It was time to look at an alternate size and I began to search for tires in the 225/50R17 size. This size is about 3/4" wider and the exact same height as the Original Equipment. Tire Rack provides fitment guarantee on this size to be inside the wheelwell without rubbing. In 225/50R17, you'll find a wide range of options from brands such as Fuzion and Hankook to premium performance options from Bridgestone and Michelin. We ended up equipping the customer's MINI with a set of Kumho Ecsta 4X.
Not a MINI owner? Then take a look at a few of my past blog posts on tire options for different vehicles:
- Tire Options for Your Hyundai Santa Fe
- The Best Tires for a Volvo XC90
- Tire Alternatives and Options for Your Dodge Journey
Looking for tire advice on the vehicle you drive? Shop by vehicle or leave me a comment and I'll be happy to consider a future entry based on your recommendation.
You are correct there is no room for a spare. You would be running without a spare. While there are solutions out there, such as the Continetal Comfort Kit that Tire Rack sells, they are only effective in about 85% of the situations. The bottom line is if you are not comfortable with having to call a flat bed if you get a flat, you must stay with a run flat. It might also be worth mentioning, even with run flat tires, depending on how severe the damage is, you may still need to call a flat bed. When you factor most people haven't had a flat tire in years, a lot of people would call a road service anyway, even if they did, it is quite common to move away from run flats due to the advantages they offer.
Thanks,
Hunter
We have the most terrible roads here in Cairo, Egypt full of potholes, and with the run flats they get damadged alot.
Thxs for your help!
You would run the same size in the 18 inch wheel on the Mini. If you want to increase protection from pothole damage, you could try buying 17" wheels and tires.
I am sorry but we do not sell temporary spare wheels. We cold do a full size but that is unlikely fit in the spare tire well, if the car even has one.
Thanks
That sounds like negative camber dialed in at the factory, You may notice a little faster edge ont he insde edge of those tires. You could talk to an alignment shop about possibly changing the camber setting.
A non run flat should eliminate the ride issues you are describing. You may need to go to the alternate described in the blog post to open up your choices.
225/45/18.
Your recommendations please.
I would suggest a top rated performance all season or grand touring all season. you can read about the performance in my blog entry http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/hunters-ramblings/what-tire-performance-category-do-i-need?affiliate=TX3
That will help you decide what type of tire will be best for you.
i am showing the Countryman was not available until model year 2011. Perhaps you meant clubman. 16" Clubman sizes would be 195/55R16 or 205/50R16. Hope that helps
I am considering this tire. Do you still recommend this tire for the countryman ? Any problems with them ?
Absolutely, the Kumho tire is still a good option to consider.