Just recently leased a new Mini base F56. I previously leased back in 2009 which was a R56 base mini which seemed to have much better OEM tires and a much quieter cabin as a result (Conti's were installed back then)

The tires that are on this new F56 vehicle seem really bad and bordering almost dangerous in the rain. They are the Hankook H426. I was thinking of replacing them with the General Altimax RT43 - 175/65R15 84H.

I would appreciate any input as to the quality of these new tires vs the OEM. I can get a set for $273 out the door + installation. Worth it or just keep the OEM tires for the 3 years?

Thanks!

 

Dunno, I have the Hankook tires on my MCS and have been in rain and didn't notice anything particularly dangerous when driving (other than the normal lack of grip experienced with any tire in the rain). I do adjust my driving to conform with road conditions, so I'm slower and more deliberate when turning or changing lanes and also keeping a greater distance between other cars and avoiding standing road water when possible. Pretty obvious stuff actually.

I suppose if you do find these tires to be very dangerous, then I'd change them out with a tire designed for excellent wet road performance.

 

Hey USA-RET,


Thanks for the reply, it seems like your tires might be the runs flats by Hankook, mine aren't, but are still very bad.


Here are the Tirerack reviews for the OEM tire that Mini put on my F56 base.


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Optimo+H426


BMW/Mini should be ashamed of themselves.

 

Yes, mine are the run flats. Thankfully no snow or ice here in SW Fla.

 

What you could do, and probably have already considered, is to replace the Hankooks with some really good tires (Michelins?) but keep the take-offs until lease turn-in time, and reinstall them then.

 

Thank you! That's what I was contemplating as with the lease I'm sure they'd charge me if the tires were overly worn. I already purchased these (General Altimax RT43 - 175/65R15 84H - General is owned by Conti so it should be a decent tire and the reviews seem way better than OEM) as a replacement and they should arrive Thursday. The ratings seems much better than the OEM. Total cost was $273 shipped.


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ModClar=Cooper

 

Check out this TireRack customer survey:
You can use 175/65-15,185/65-15, or 195/60-15 if you want.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...earDiameter=17

Altimax third, H426 dead last at 16th.

Yes, shame on Hankook, BMW, and VW.

Oh, yes, change the tires. The MINI experience is ruined by poor handling tires.

 

Wow, thanks for that Link! I hope the General tires aren't too bad, and I think I got a decent price vs performance compared to what I'd spend on the Michelin.

 

My CPO car came with Hankook runflats. Within a week I replaced them with Goodyear Eagle F1 all seasons. Much happier now.

 

I will be getting Bridgestone's after my Hankook's are worn out. Not too impressed with the hankook, but they are round, rubber, hold air and get me from A to B. I can live with them till they NEED to be replaced. I can't fathom spending money on tires when I have tread on the ones that came on the vehicle!

 

Should I get them installed at the Mini Dealer (they want $120 total for mounting and balancing) or should I just go to Firestone / Sears / etc...?

 

Call around and get your best price on the install. Some place's will charge more if the tires are runflat vs non-runflat. You could probably have it done between $50-120. Also, when you call it's much easier to find out their availability is to do it, that way you don't end up waiting hours on end.

 

I have Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season run flats on my 2015 Cooper with 17 inch wheels and I feel like they are bad, especially in wet weather. I'm almost scared to see how they will do this winter.

 

Have the same. They are fine by me in dry conditions, I feel your concern in the rain. They are all but worthless, no grip at all. I've learned to deal with them in the rain, just don't do anything to upset them.

 

My F56 MCS also came with Hankook tires, runflats in my case and I am not happy with them either. I will be going with Bridgestone Driveguard runflats when I replace them.

FWIW, I am planning to put the General Altimax RT43 on my wife's Hyundai Elantra. The reviews on Tire Rack and other sites for this tire is top notch, especially the wet weather performance. The pricing on this tire is very competitive as well.

 

Got Hankook runflats on my F55, as well. Terrible in the rain; even worse now that the temp is in the 50's and rainy.

No way I'm going to drive on them once we get even a dusting of snow.

 

General has been owned by Continental since 1987.

 

Update:

The General Altimax RT43 (made in Slovakia of all places) tires were delivered by Amazon, had Sears install and balance them tonight for $98 after I got out of work.

The difference is like night and day. Feels like a totally different car. Noise levels on the interior are down at least 50% on the highway and rough roads, cornering has improved vastly, improved braking, and car is more composed. Looking forward to winter driving now!

Shame on BMW for installing crap tires on the Mini. I'm going to contact their customer relations and ask for a refund on the price I paid on the tires. Doubt they will give in, but it will be nice to get a reply from them on the subject.

Thanks again for all who responded and helped

 

we replaced our run flats with Yokohama YK580s from Discount Tire. Nice quiet ride now.

 

Also had the Hankook run flats replaced with Perelli P7s at the 6000 mile service, on our 2015 F56, as the traction was poor and the "wander" on Highway driving was ridiculous. Having 9 year experience with a 2006 S Cabrio, which had 2 sets of Contis's on, after the original Goodyear Eagles, it was a complete disappointment with Hankooks.

 

The Hanook H426 might be the worst tire I've ever had on a car or motorcycle. At 5K they became noticeably loud so I turned up the stereo. The first really heavy rain storm I thought I was in a kayak as the car swam all over the road. Last week when it snowed my wife stayed home as she had a hard time getting out of the drive way. This past week we replaced the Hanooks which had 10435 miles on them with some Bridgestone Drive Guards. The Bridgestone appear to be a vast improvement, they ride way smoother and quieter than the Hanooks, we'll see how they handle the rain and snow.

 

Quick note, my 2014 F56 S came with the Pirelli run flats. They are stiff and extremely noisy but have outstanding grip, particularly in the rain. I am about to change them out for cushy quiet non-run flats but they've also gone 43k miles with even wear. Just in case this info useful.