Sorry for the rather boring Tyre questions.

[Stewart]

:blush:Sorry for the rather boring Tyre questions.

Paul was saying on another thread that I could use the Size 205-50-16 and these would fit my alloys. My currant RF tyres are 195-55-16’s so naturally I’ve just been looking at that size. Sent an Email to Uniroyal and they came back with “ Yeah it should be fine”

I’m needing two front tyres and really I think I’ll get four non RF. The front are down to 2.3MM :blush:( and not happy with that in the rain) with both the rear around 4.6MM With me now driven my Sisters Mini on non RF the ride is so much better than the bang and crash of the RF, bit on the road my Car goes bang and are little more than slight bumps the other Mini just glides over. I’ve found myself apologising to passengers “ Sorry its on RF”

So options thay all seem to come in around the £360 mark fitted.

4 UNIROYAL UNI RAINSPORT 2 87V 205/50VR16 or cheaper 205/55V16:confused:
4 Continental Premium Contact 2 195/55 R16 H

I’ve read a few reports and the only concern is the Rainsports get great reviews about wet and dry grip but not great on wear at all with the Continental getting a good all round review. Anyone on these?

Anyone used tyreshopper?

This is some info I got.


A 195/55/16 will equate to either a 205/50/16 or a 205/55/16.

The 205/50/16 puts your rolling radius out by 1.7% meaning that when your speedo reads 60mph, you'll actually be doing 59mph

The 205/55/16 puts your speedo out by 1.6% the other way meaning that when your speedo reads 60 mph, you'll actually be doing 60.9mph.

Your allowed a tolerance of 2.5% either way so both profiles are feasible.

I cannot see why you cannot fit 205/50/16's to your standard wheels.


In real terms what would the 205/50/16 over the Cheaper 205/55/16

One set costs £360 the other £292 fitted both UNIROYAL UNI RAINSPORT 2:idunno:

[The Dogfather]

Stewart, the Uniroyals do last quite well compared to other sports tyres I've had, the worse being Falkens, partly because the tread is 9mm deep.

The premium contacts are not a sports tyre they are designed for run of the mill hatches, like astras. The Contis will be a harder compound, hence the longevity, the harder the compound the lesser the grip.

All sports tyres wear quicker, that's how you get the extra grip, its as simple compromise between the two characteristics. Its the same as F1 options vs the primes only difference being that changing a tyre takes a little longer down at quick fit.

Regarding the size, I found the 195/55s non RFs to be too vague and a little bit bouncy this will be even more pronounced on the 205/55s.

Don't worry about the ride you are going from a very hard sidewall (RF) to a softer one the ride even on a 50 profile will be much, much better.

If I hadn't got the OZ ultraleggera's dirty cheap I'd have a set of 205/50s now, the general consensus is that this is the size that suits the MINI the best both from a handling and a ride perspective. The Uniroyals came 2nd in a recent Evo test.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-EVO-Tyre-Test.htm

[Stewart]

So your saying the 205/50's the one to aim for, dam the 55 are cheaper.
Appreciate that info, I was thinking what’s the difference at 50 or 55 on the non RF.

[The Dogfather]

I bought the 195/55s because they were cheap, silly mistake

[Stewart]

Regarding the size, I found the 195/55s non RFs to be too vague and a little bit bouncy this will be even more pronounced on the 205/55s


I’m not picking up the Tab but even still I’d rather not pay near the £400

Really fighting with the Cost here. The best Size as you said is the 205/50/16 and I understand the whole sidewall movement that gives when you put the tyre under pressure.

But the Deal ended that I seen for the V and the tyres left

UNIROYAL UNI RAINSPORT 2 91W 205/55WR16 W 91 £80.00 Fitted.
UNIROYAL UNI RAINSPORT 2 87W 205/50WR16 W 87 £106 Fitted. Not including the 10% off each.

So £292 versus £386

I’m thinking considering the next time I’m probably going to drive with that wee bit more enthusiasm will probably be next May on the H&I Tour. And as long as I can stop in the wet and the grip in the dry is there I’m happy along with getting rid of that RF feeling. Just as long as I don’t go round roundabouts thinking the car feels wrong.


Surly if they have this size (205/55) its not going to be a massive effect is it? I like the sure footing I always feel in my Mini and the Go cart feel but the car never gets pushed hard beyond the Mini runs. I’d probably not notice the difference unless it was very pronounced from say someone that’s more acute to there tyres and pushes them.

[The Dogfather]

I found the 195/55s on my MINI to be very bouncy, and I wished I'd paid the extra and gone for the 205/50s. The 205s will be worst than the 195s, for the sake of £90 I'd get the best I could.

[Stewart]

Your probably right I just wish they had the 205/50 around £80 fitted. I’m going to go in and ask a few places over the next week as the front tyres are just getting silly and dangerous.

Again Cheers Paul. :thumbs up:

[Stewart]

Sorry again but anyone bought off Black Circles or it just best to go into there Fitting centre for my post code and just ask the price.

I'm just used to kwik-fit with my Honda and chucking on £40 tyres, getting the right tyre off them and they list the fitting at £12 for four tyres can that be right?

if so I've got the Uniroyal Rainsport 2 205/50/16 W off them fitted for £340. and I can keep my two rear 195/55/16 Goodyear Excellence RF and flog them both for £40 with over 4.5 MM.

[The Dogfather]

I've had tyres off Black Circles and so has my dad, no problems for either of us. But I guess a lot comes down to the fitting centre as well.

[pot007]

I got my tyres from BlackCircles a couple of weeks ago....it was the cheapest place I could find and the service from the garage was spot on. As the Dogfather says though, its all down to which fitting centre you go to though.