[thebadun]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been asked before, I've had a good look through previous posts and the FAQ and couln't find an approporiate answer.

I got some TSW alloys for my old Polo, which has the same stud pattern etc. as the MINI and I still have them, and fancied changing over my 5 stars to them for a bit. The only thing that has stopped me up until now is that the tyres on the 5 stars are 195/55/16 and on the TSWs are 195/45/16 (which is the largest I could fit on the Polo). I know that if I change my speedo will be out, but that's not a massive problem as I use GPS, but was wondering if there was any other reason not to change to a lower profile if the width is the same?

Thanks in advance.

[Fu Manchu]

Using this littel tool

TYRESAVE: Tyre Size Calculator

You will see that the rolling diameter will be 39mm smaller than your current set up (or 6.28%). It is recommended that you be within 2.5% so you're way out. Reasons for not doing this.

- Your speedo will be way out. And therefore illegal.
- Your mileometer will be way out. With the wheels having a smaller diameter your car will be clocking up more miles than you are actually driving.
- Your new set up probably won't fill the arches as well as your old one, leaving the car looking like a rollerskate.

Why not get the tyre off the 5 Stars put on the new wheels? Although if the tyres are certain brands of runflats this may not be possible. Is the offest on the TSW wheels suitable for MINI?

[thebadun]

Thanks for that, didn't realise the diameter would be so mch out. Think I'll stick with the 5-stars, the TSWs aren't good enough to warrant changing tyres on to them etc, just fancied a change with as little work as possible.

[Fu Manchu]

Sorry for being the bearer of bad news. Yeah changing the tyres over is usually about £18 a wheel around here. I was also told earlier that my post sounded a little harsh, if so apologies it wasn't my intention

[thebadun]

Not at all Humph, appreciate the advice.