Bigger tire size for the back of my MINI?

[Miniphobea Teen]

Hi, I would like to know if it would be a good idea to put bigger tires on the back of my MINI. Right now I have yokohama parda spec2's on the back. The size are 205/45/16's and they are both feathered. This is causing the rear of the car to be more noisy. I want to know if I could upgrade the size up to 215/45/16 or 225/45/16. Would it effect the ride in any way or would they stick out too much or rub? Also my rim size is 16x7. If you have any pics that would be of great help.
THANX

[baradona]

I wouldn't put bigger tyres on the back and not the front as it will imbalance the handling. With more grip at the rear you will have more understeer. There will be more noise at the back and it will stumble over poor surfaces more.
Personally I, if anything, would go bigger all round or just a little bigger front-only like BBR-Gti's car.

Don't forget - big tyres on the back of cars are for more traction on rear-drive cars. The mini is front-drive

[MOLIVERA]

Adam, good advice. My rear-drive '99 E36 M3 has staggered (i.e., larger) rears and I and other M3 owners have found that understeer on the track is much less with same size on all four corners.

[Miniphobea Teen]

thanks for the edvice, I will just go back to 205/45/16?