Hi all - I cannot seem to find an exact answer for my question here in the forums so please excuse me if it was answered somewhere before -

We all know the stock tires on the GP are not very good and living here in NY they are just deathly when it comes to any sort of precipitation. I'd like to get new tires but don't want to lose the pressure monitoring (or run-flats really).

What suggestions do you all have? On my last car I had Yokohama Avid V4S and then Pirelli PZero Nero tires...loved them both.

Thanks in advance!

 

Runflats are notoriously bad tires. they drive like crap, ride like crap and wear like crap and usually look bad too. Runflats are nice for some people i guess, but i would rather carry a can of tire slime in my car. think about it...
if you get a nail, you can still run on the flat...great. if you carry tire slime, you can still get where you need to be even withg a non runflat. either way the tire needs replaced afterwards ( cant patch a runflat and most shops wont patch a slimed tire ). non runflats are usually alot cheaper as well.
If you get a major blow out, the runflat wont do you any more good then the regular tire anyways. i personally ran goodyear runflats from factory, went to Kumho runflats and eventually wised up and went with goodyear eagle F1 GSD3s in 205/50/16. my stock size was 195/55/16.
---> best advise i can give either way would be to search tire rack. you can look at runflats and non runflats along with many different sizes and get opinions on each tire from people who have purchased them. good luck !

 

<cough> Opinions (and facts!) differ, Jhud.

paulieparker - Since you mentioned you really like them, Pirelli PZero Nero tires are available in the proper OEM 205/40R18 size (in runflat) for JCW wheels and also the OEM 205/45R17 size (in non-runflat) for the 17" wheels that came with your factory JCW. Of course, they aren't all-seasons, either.

It doesn't appear that Yokohama Avid V4S are available in OEM sizes, but the Yokohama S.drive tires are available in OEM sizes (both 17" and 18"), both in non-runflat.

 

So, when you order a car at the Dealer, you have a choice of All-Season Tires, or "Summer Tires" . Are both run-flats?

 

Know that the newer generation of runflats has a better performance envelope than the original Goodyears, Dunlops or Pirelli Euphori@s. Quieter, more supple. Still stiffer than non-runflats though.

Several of the posts praising runflats (in the thread that Edge refers to) are regarding the newer generation runflat, or are people who value the runflat capability and are willing to sacrifice to have it.

Note: AAA is absolutely not a replacement for a runflat or spare tire or tire repair kit. What's your time worth, cellphones are not 100% either, and sometimes you just need mobility.

A note: On 17" Euphori@s that were at 3/16" tread I was able to come within a second of a full-on autocross tire in a 40 second autocross. They don't lack for grip They did lack for comfort.

 

Yes. BMW & MINI only supplies runflats with every new vehicle they sell. It's also the reason that Cooper Ses don't come with spare tires.

 

S.Drives are not good tires. They're also not all-seasons.

 

I didn't say either. I was just responding to paulieparker's preferences.

As for the all-season point...Yes, I know I said that before I brought up the Yokohamas... but it was a reply in the same vein as the Pirellis.

 

I ran the Nitto Neo Gens just this last snow fall in NYC during BO's inugeration and they held up good, also during snow fall in Philly. Alot better than Dunlops, they also come in 205/40-18 and 215/40-18 wich I ran. I am back in SoCal so I just ordered a set of 225/35-18 Goodyear F1 GS-D3 since no snow, but rain once in a blue moon.

 

F1 Asymmetric > F1 GS-D3.

 

Strictly my and Tire Rack's opinion.

The only part of his statement that is correct is "not all-seasons".

So what's Dan using on his MINI? - Oh yeah he sold his.

The S. Drive are very acceptable tires - I don't know where PGT gets his information (pulls it out of his ___) ((same lame link of 35 participants in a survey done in rural U.K.))? Tire Rack ranked it 3rd twice in two years for summer all performance tires out of a pack of:

BFGoodrich g-Force KDW 2, Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport,
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2, Yokohama S-drives.

Tire rack rated the May 9 2008 results of their track testing on a E90 BMW 325i with surprising results:

1. Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2
2. Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport
3. Yokohama S-drives
4. BFGoodrich g-Force KDW 2

Here are all of the test result:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=104



Their online survey of 156 ACTUAL owners and drivers is below:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....eModel=S.drive

Rank within Category 3
% vs. best in category 99%
Would buy again 8.2
Hydroplaning resistance 8.2
Wet Traction 8.3
Cornering Stability 8.6
Dry Traction 8.8
Steering response 8.6
Light snow traction N/A
Deep snow traction N/A
Ice traction N/A
Ride comfort 8.5
Noise comfort 8.1
Tread wear 8.5
Total miles reported 619,596

Would You Buy This Tire Again?
Most said: "Probably" (Average of 8.2 out of 10)

How Did This Tire Rank In Its Category?
3 out of 40 tires (Score of 8.4 vs best tire in category score of 8.5)

 

Wow, you got me! Whether or not the car was still in my garage doesn't invalidate my experience. Truth is, I probably ran more tires than 99.9% of the members of this forum on my car. That gives me invaluable experience compared to a generic survey. Or, are you saying the survey is valid? Most respondents don't own MINI's.

Middle of the road amongst inexpensive tires, perhaps.


***? This is funny coming from a guy that IB dropped for being an ***.

Here's my "information" (independent, blind test of the top tires out there....S.Drive finishes dead last). It's clear last place is acceptable for you Sam. Don't hate me because I don't find it the same.

 

Strictly my opinion

Old data: 2007 although there hasn't been any change in the compound so some what current
Volkswagen test vehicle - to bad neither review covers MINIs - at least Tire Rack used the MINIs entry level BMW bigger brother.

Interesting review - lots of information, a good read - Shame few of the membership read the EVO magazine. Thanks for sharing.

Tire Rack's survey represented 3 of the 4 tires that are often recommended by MINI owners with the exception of the Michelin's (about $70 more per tire.).

You my have individually driven more tire brands then 99.9% of the membership - but collectively I think the membership trumps you. Tire Racks survey - the participants drove 619,596 miles.

Yokohama is looking at the review you linked and will give me an un-official assessment in the next few days. When I receive it I will post it.

They do flat spot briefly in the cold. I found them to be noisier on my '05 S with sound insulation and quieter on my GP without sound insulation - go figure. Never had a problem with wet stopping distance as I adjust my driving based on the road condition and weather. Great grip in the corners and they scream bloody murder when pushed to the limit. Decent tire for the money.

I only said it is a decent performing tire for the price and it shouldn't be trashed by you when in all likelihood you have no experience in using this tire. For a bit more money I recommend Highly the Yokohama Parada Spec 2's. Ask Nathan (gnatster) he likes his Spec 2's. The membership should really rely on an easement by a person who has experience in club racing. Nathan's opinion is very valid as he does every track day in a 3-400 mile radius of his home in Texas and he knows tires having worked at Merchant Tires earlier in his long spanning career in things automotive. Others, who do many track events have greater credibility as they do track days as often as Nathan. I've only seen you one time running auto cross on a set of all seasons - you weren't dead last in the modified MINI class but you were close.

As for IB - again I don't know where you got you're information. The reason we - parted ways is because of their business model: Buy the site. Rape the vendors on advertising pricing and ignore the site members. NAM is hemorrhaging vendors - gee the vendors don't like internet brands either. Membership seems to not like IB either in particular DCMM. My leaving was completely mutual and I really wanted to quit but didn't because that would affect the payout on my contract. Leaving was a tremendous relief to me as they wanted me to be a person that I'm not (sales manager left the next day). They did however honor the terms of my contract with a really big check. I can't even recommend their stock - it's been a no mover for the last year.

Come to the beer swap at the Dragon and we'll have a pissing contest. Oh that's right it's a MINI event.

Just an aside: Alta/Perrin opened a bottle of champagne when they heard you sold your MINI. Second bottle they've opened - first was when you sold your Subie.

 

Yet I still managed to beat a GP by six seconds (who's owner had done more than one professional driving school I might add). Not bad for brand new POS Falken all-seasons and new coilovers and sways on full soft (and a CEL and poor fitting exhaust at the time...the car was NOWHERE near sorted). Keep in mind, the modified MINI's there were running had Hoosiers or RA1's...no wonder I wasn't competitive on my full tread all-season tires (it was early March and I didn't have my summer set mounted yet).

That was my second event ever...the one the previous fall (ya know, the pic in my sig...which you'd realize was NOT Bowie), the car was on summer tires and PSS9's and was more competitive. I've autocrossed on RE-01R's, ZIEX-912, Azenis RT-615 and Yoko A048's. More than one event ever, but that doesn't fit your opinion now does it?

That would be the second time we've been in the same place and you've shown your true colors by not being a mature adult and talking to me. <gasp> The first time, your boss ripped you one for handling it wrong. Third times the charm eh Sam? Oh, I forgot...charm isn't in your vocab (I've seen emails you've sent to others....class isn't in your vocab either).


be still my beating heart! You really think it bugs me what they think of me?

Still, at some point late last year, Jeff Perrin and I discussed the long-running issues and he and I came to an amicable agreement. He agreed Perrin could have handled things better. I agreed to stop hating on them. 'nuff said.

 

so, in your informed opinion, tests with a RWD BMW are more relevant to a MINI than a FWD GTI?








seriously?

 

Please don't drag me into this.

BTW, I never worked for Merchants Tire. I did work for a small NOVA chain that sold out to Merchants many years after I left.

 

Sam, Dan... I'm not involved in this, but I know you both personally, and I would like to believe it is at least amicable.

Please, for the love of God... cut it out, or at least take it offline. I don't want to close this thread... but we are way way off-topic at this point.

Can we focus on the tires again now? Please?

 

sorry Haemish, it's hard not to respond when former a NAM employee turns repeatedly to personal attacks to attempt to discredit an opinion that's at odds with his own. Good thing there's a proper blind test to back me up eh?

 

We have had very good luck with Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S on the BMW and Exalto PE2's on the Mini. The A/S last a very long time with great ride and traction, the PE2's are a bit stickier with not as long a life but still very good in the rain!!

 

I understand Dan, but I'm asking both of you to "be the bigger man" and let it go. Way too much "dirty laundry" from both of you, derailing the intent of the thread.

 

THanks everyone for their opinions and advice... sorry the thread got off topic too. I cannot seem to find most of these tires in the correct size..unless I am searching wrong. On Tirerack, all I get back are high performance/run-flat tires

Does anyone have a link to their preferred tires? I'm leaning towards non-run flats and a can of goop...

Thanks again, everyone - -

 

you'll have plenty of choices if you go with non-runflat and non-stock sizing. Bridgestone 960's and Goodyear F1 All Season are the best

 

If I go with a different size that stock, what am I risking? Will the tires rub on the inside? What sizes should I look for then? Thanks again!

 

Since I refused to read anything after about the third post above... I have no idea if anyone has said this...

But for me, the Goodyear F1 All Seasons ROCK. Not for summer/track tires... but they go on my car when it gets cool outside, and they come off in the spring, and they perform VERY well in the wet, the cold, the dry, and even on a little iciness. I drive on them during the winter just like I drive on my summer tires in the summer - flat out insane cornering stupid. They've worn well and stick in the cold and look good with a square profile. Just a little noisier than some others.

I'm running 215/45R17 FWIW.

 

On the Tire Rack site, are you selecting "view all tire sizes" as opposed to "view original equipment tires"? If you view original equipment, you will get all runflats.

I have the Eagle F1 A/S and really like them, although they do seem to be a bit noisy now that they are wearing. I didn't get anywhere near the life out of them that I got from the runflats, but who cares. I can buy several sets for the price of a set of runflats and still keep all of my teeth.

Looks like the Goodyears have a $50 rebate right now too.