Tire Availability and Wheel Size Choices

[MadAboutMINI]

I've been spending some time building out different configurations of Cooper S on the miniusa.com web site. Just for kicks I decided to do a search on tirerack.com for the following wheel sizes (which I'm sure you'll all recognize ):
205/45 R17
195/55 R16
185/65 R15 (skinny snow tires are better don't you know)

Our pickings are kinda slim!
17":
Pirelli PZero Asimmetrico (Max Performance) @ $146 each
Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 (Ultra High Performance) @ $88 each
Yokohama A520 (Ultra High Performance) @ $100 each
Yokohama Parada Spec-2 (Ultra High Performance) @ $100 each
Yokohama Parada (Ultra High Performance) @ $100 each
No all seasons or winter tires

16":
Firestone Firehawk GTA 02 (High Performance All Season) @ $62 each
Nothing else!

15":
Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 @ $68 each
Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice @ $77 each
Pirelli Winter 160 Direzionale @ $51 each
I didn't check anything other than winters in a 15"

In terms of aftermarket rubber, it seems like getting the 17" wheels in the sport package makes the most sense and then getting yourself a set of 15" rims for winter tires (if you live anywhere where it snows).

Other opinions?

[MINIAC]

I don't think any of the tires you listed in 16" or 17" are run flats, which might also be a consideration.

If run flats are not a consideration and you have 16" wheels, you'd want to replace the 195/55's with 205/50's, for which the TireRack offers 15 summer and 5 all-season choices, all with speed rating of 149mph or higher.

[Garfield]

Beat me to the punch!

There's PLENTY available, don't worry.

Just to make you feel more comfortable, here's the stats:

If you run a 205/50R16, your overall diameter is .3 lower. Your speedometer will read 1.5% too fast, meaning, when your speedo says 60mph, you're doing 59.1mph.

Now, there's also a special on the BFG g-force KDW in the 215/50R16. If you run a 215/50R16, your overall diameter is .1 taller. Your speedometer will read .1% too slow, meaning, when your speedo says 60mph, well, you're still doing 60mph.

I'm not even going to get into the 17's, but here's the best tire size calculator I've ever seen:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Have fun, and don't stay up too late

[MadAboutMINI]

MINIAC & Garfield, thanks for weighing in! I'll try not to be up too late with the tire size calculator .

I was hoping somebody had some info on other sizes that would work and as usual, the forum didn't disapoint me! The run flat issue is another good point.

Thanks guys!