17" S Spoke with 205/40 tyres?

[Robin]

I've just ordered a set of 17" S Spokes but without the Pirelli runflats as they cost a packet (about £200 each) as a dealer fit. I'm going to source the tyres myself and would like to know if anyone has used 205/40 tyres as these are more available than the recommended size. Any views welcomed.

I'm thinking about Goodyear F1 GSD2 or Toyo Proxes T1-S. If anyone has tried these please give me your views before I splash my cash.

[MiniBloke]

Sorry to hijack your thread like this but I was thinking of going down the same road as yourself so would be interested in seeing how this turns out but was wondering what you paid for the S spokes on their own, if you don't mind me asking!

£1,050 seems a bit steep as an extra on the ONE

[Robin]

No probs, the rims on there own are £130 each inc VAT + £6 each for centre caps, giving you £526 for the set. The Pirelli runflats come in at something like £750! for a set, I'm looking at around £400 for 205/40 or 215/45's which is a bit more like it.

[rmorin]

Lots of MINI owners in the US are running 205-40-17 tires because you do have a lot more choice in this size. The rolling diameter will be a little small compared to the stock set ups. As far as the Toyos, the T1S is probably one of the best, if not the best, high performance summer tire made, IMHO. This is the tire I will be running but in a 205-50-16. Happy Motoring!

There is a group test of tyres in the latest (July) edition of evo magazine. If I recall correctly they tested 215/45x17, but it should give you an indication of each brands strengths and weaknesses.

The winner of the test was the Goodyear eagle F1. It’s worth buying the mag for the excellent Cooper S writeup.

[Robin]

Thanks all,

I've managed to get good deal on a set of Pirelli PZero Assimetric in 205/45's so i'm going to go with them for my first set o' boots. The Evo test is tops.