Hi everyone!

I want to start auto crossing my 06 cooper s and need help choosing tires. I need a pair that I can also use for commuting driving etc., I am not at all ready to have a separate set for autocross. Of course I'll have a separate set of tires for winter.

Obviously I'm not super knowledgeable about these topics, so limited lingo is appreciated, but I would love to know why you suggest the ones you suggest, I'm here to learn as much as I can.

Thanks for the help!

 

That's a very popular topic around here - try THIS search for some of the threads on the matter.

Note that using Google on this site works very well, you just need to include the string "site:northamericanmotoring.com" (no quotes needed) with your other search words.

I run a 205/45-16 Bridgestone RE-71R, which is pretty much it as far as the latest, stickiest, and most competitive tire that is available.

That's for autocross die-hards though, and the Dunlop Direzza ZII, the BF Goodrich G-Force Rival S, the Toyo R1R, and the Hankook RS3 are all popular tires this year.

My two bits includes:
1. do not put a 225 on a 7" rim - looks great, handles like crap. Stick to a 205 (or at most a 215).
2. diameter matters - if you like filling your wheel wells for that special look, have at it - but for autocross smaller is better because it gives the brakes and drive train the best leverage against the contact patch. 23.2" diameter and about 890 revs/mile is the benchmark
3. if you pick one of the tires above, please do not expect to get 40-50k miles out of them, they are all soft compounds and 20-30k is pretty good.

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Charlie

Ps: Minihune - you are a great source of tire advice! Where are you... :-)

 

Thank you so much! I knew that they were buried on here somewhere, but was having the worst time finding them! I appreciate the help!

 

If you have 17" wheels the $138 215/45-17 Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a good compromise with 30k treadwear warranty and reliable/reasonable autocross performance.

If 16" the $98 205/55-16 Continental Extreme Contact DW is great in the rain for autocross and another reasonable street/autocross compromise in the dry.

If 15" the $92 175/65-15 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 is a great 45k treadwear warranty street tire that won't totally embarrass you at an autocross.

I use 205/45-16 Hankook R-S3 when I want to compete (although hopeless against the forementioned RE-71R) and the 205/50-16 A/S 3 when I just run for fun.

You need a good handling tire to get the most from your MINI's good and fun handling at an autocross and any of the above suit that purpose.

 

OP,

the route i chose to go was to get a year round set, i.e., all seasons that are very good in the snow, then a dedicated race set.

the all seasons will last forever and u just bust out the summers in times of need. going with so-so summers year round except for winter and then strapping on winters may cost more in the long run depending on wear, how much driving/racing u will do.

just my .02. i'd prob go conti dw if i had to get a 3 season 'summer' tire though

hsautocrosser - i feel your pain. rs3v2s are wearing super nicely, and 30/tire cheaper than the new big dogs (re71r & rival s). won't keep up, but looks like they'll last twice as long..

cough i hope they ban the re71r that tire is not 200tw

 

I think too many people have them already to ban them now. No pain for me, though, I'm fourteen years into retirement and have transitioned nicely to minimum budget maximum fun in autocrossing. It was 73 degrees today and the 14-mile trip back from the grocery was pure pleasure. I wouldn't have a MINI roadster if I was still in competition mode.