Not another tire question!

3062 Views 27 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Rambo4, Dec 6, 2019

Bean0709

Discussion Starter · Nov 20, 2019

Does anyone know where to get all season run flat tires for a 453 in the US? Do they even make runflats in the size I would need? What is the purpose of having staggered sized tires anywho? I would like to get the Brabus style 16s for my all seasons (hopefully runflats). I am told they will fit a 2017 Passion.

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

Mailman

· #2 · Nov 20, 2019

Sounds like you are asking for too much out of a tire.

Run Flats are usually 'summer' tires for sports cars that shed weight wherever they can so no spare, no jack.
Smart did the no spare to salvage whatever space they could.

All Seasons are really 'Three Seasons'

If they are not M&S rated or have that snowflake on them, you won't move anywhere in a RWD car with 3 inches of snow on the ground.

The purpose of staggered size tires it to induce understeer to pass the Elk/Moose Test.
i.e. turn sharply and not tip over because too much traction in the front axle tires

On my 453, I have All Weather tires mounted on the stock rims.
For 15" rims, look at the 185/55 R15 size, for 16" rims, look at the 195/50 R16 size and don't turn sharply

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Bean0709

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 20, 2019

Haha! So if I do not turn sharply, no need to stagger? This turning thing will be something to get used to as I am leaving the Mini community (I am trading a 2013 JCW hardtop) for a Black-to-Yellow 453.

Mailman

· #4 · Nov 20, 2019

Yes, my summer wheel setups would fail the Elk test because I Rolled Into the Elk

Bean0709

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 20, 2019

Mailman said:
Yes, my summer wheel setups would fail the Elk test because I Rolled Into the Elk

Hahahah

Mailman

· #6 · Nov 20, 2019

Bean0709 said:
Hahahah

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Bean0709

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 20, 2019

Mailman said:

Niiiice!

strelnik

· #8 · Nov 20, 2019

Bean0709 said:
Does anyone know where to get all season run flat tires for a 453 in the US? Do they even make runflats in the size I would need? What is the purpose of having staggered sized tires anywho? I would like to get the Brabus style 16s for my all seasons (hopefully runflats). I am told they will fit a 2017 Passion.

Hello Bean,
FWIW, I have heard that many higher-end BMW enthusiasts install run flat tires on their cars for outings and such. Not being a high-end Bimmer owner, I cannot confirm. Also, many ambulance companies have them as well. Maybe you can check with some suppliers.
Research shows me that Discount Tire, Tire Plus, Tire Rack and Amazon all sell run flats. I know Bridgestone kanes a 195/55 tires but do not know if it is 15" or 16"
Good luck sir!. Let us know. Maybe if I can't find them for my smart 451, I will put them on my Citroen 2CV.... :-0

Bean0709

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 20, 2019

I am a woman...not a sir. ☺
My Mini Cooper JCW hardtop (6 spped mind you) that I am trading has the all-season runflats. Being a woman, I prefer not to get stuck on the side of road changing a flat ifyaknowwhatImean.

strelnik

· #10 · Nov 20, 2019

strelnik said:
Hello Bean,
FWIW, I have heard that many higher-end BMW enthusiasts install run flat tires on their cars for outings and such. Not being a high-end Bimmer owner, I cannot confirm. Also, many ambulance companies have them as well. Maybe you can check with some suppliers.
Research shows me that Discount Tire, Tire Plus, Tire Rack and Amazon all sell run flats. I know Bridgestone kanes a 195/55 tires but do not know if it is 15" or 16"
Good luck sir!. Let us know. Maybe if I can't find them for my smart 451, I will put them on my Citroen 2CV.... :-0

My apologies/mes excuses.

Bean0709

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 20, 2019

strelnik said:
My apologies/mes excuses.

No worries

n9tlf73

· #12 · Nov 21, 2019

Mailman said:
Sounds like you are asking for too much out of a tire.

Run Flats are usually 'summer' tires for sports cars that shed weight wherever they can so no spare, no jack.
Smart did the no spare to salvage whatever space they could.

All Seasons are really 'Three Seasons'
If they are not M&S rated or have that snowflake on them, you won't move anywhere in a RWD car with 3 inches of snow on the ground.

The purpose of staggered size tires it to induce understeer to pass the Elk/Moose Test.
i.e. turn sharply and not tip over because too much traction in the front axle tires

On my 453, I have All Weather tires mounted on the stock rims.
For 15" rims, look at the 185/55 R15 size, for 16" rims, look at the 195/50 R16 size and don't turn sharply

I always heard that they use smaller tires in front to reduce weight and rolling resistance, thus helping mileage. Back tires bigger to help traction.

Bob Denman

· #13 · Nov 23, 2019

Since we don't have any Elk or moose up here (Just some white-tailed deer): Where can I get another set of rear rims for my 453? I'd like to run the same size tires at all four corners.
And can you get THAT size in a run-flat design?
(Here's a pic of my wheels...

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Mailman

· #14 · Nov 24, 2019

Bob Denman said:
Since we don't have any Elk or moose up here (Just some white-tailed deer): Where can I get another set of rear rims for my 453? I'd like to run the same size tires at all four corners.
And can you get THAT size in a run-flat design?

Here is a place for stock rims: https://www.hubcaphaven.com/c/3439/smart_wheels_rims.html

A question for Bean is what brand and what size run flat did you run on your Mini?

I looked at Pirelli, and Goodyear and their run flats start at 24.5" diameter...smart tires are around 23.0" diameter.
Also, they try to manufacture the popular sizes and that means 17-20" rims... and 25-28" diameter tires in run flats...
Also, they cost $200-400... EACH.

Bob Denman

· #15 · Nov 24, 2019

Thanks for the link! ?

Bean0709

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 24, 2019

Mailman said:
Here is a place for stock rims: https://www.hubcaphaven.com/c/3439/smart_wheels_rims.html

A question for Bean is what brand and what size run flat did you run on your Mini?

I looked at Pirelli, and Goodyear and their run flats start at 24.5" diameter...smart tires are around 23.0" diameter.
Also, they try to manufacture the popular sizes and that means 17-20" rims... and 25-28" diameter tires in run flats...
Also, they cost $200-400... EACH.

205/45/17 Continental run flats

Reactions: 1

Bean0709

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 24, 2019

I am wondering if anyone knows how to get a chubby tire to look good. What I mean is, sticking a little out of wheel well. I do not like the look of when the wheels fill up the whole wheel well. I am trying to find photos of what other people have done and cannot seem to find any. Maybe I am not explaining this right...a woman’s brain does not function like a dude’s when it comes to explaining car stuff. Haha

jimvw57

· #18 · Nov 24, 2019

Having hit 3 deer so far with my 451, and the last 2 were with same size tires front and rear, I don't think hitting deer is the same as hitting a moose which are usually much larger. My last upgrade included heavier duty springs which lifted my smart about 3 inches so the wheels don't fill the wells as much as they did before.

Bean0709

Discussion Starter · #19 · Nov 24, 2019

jimvw57 said:
Having hit 3 deer so far with my 451, and the last 2 were with same size tires front and rear, I don't think hitting deer is the same as hitting a moose which are usually much larger. My last upgrade included heavier duty springs which lifted my smart about 3 inches so the wheels don't fill the wells as much as they did before.

Do you have a pic of what your car looks like with the heavy duty springs? Did the car handle differently?

Mailman

· #20 · Nov 25, 2019

Bean0709 said:
205/45/17 Continental run flats

Hmm, that size is 24.3" in diameter, the place you might have rubbing issues is the front tires (stock 453 front tire is 23.3" diameter mounted on a 16" rim).

Do you still have your Mini? I think some of them used the same 4x100 bolt pattern and you could try mounting those 205/45/17 entire wheels in the front and see if they rub.

The Contis are OEM for the Mini and the two sizes that caught my eye were the 205/45/17 for the 17" rim and the 195/55/16 for the 16" rim.

There are OEM 16" rims for the 453; the front rim is 6" wide.
Most 453s come with the 15" rims though and no run flats are available in 15"...

The question still remains if the 1" larger diameter tire will rub anything in the front.
If they don't rub, you might have found us a run flat Bean if you have 16" rims

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