Mini just called and said my 2 front tires and bad and rubbing against the rims or something. They want to charge me 700 bucks for 2 tires and alignment, I'd rather not pay that.

Anyone know what sort of tires I need and can costco do it? I checked their website for a 05 mini and found this:

[FONT=Arial] Michelin® Pilot® Primacy™ 195/55R16 - but I don't think their run flats. Does it matter? Can I have 2 run flats in the rear and 2 regulars in the front?[/FONT]

 

rubbing against the rims or something... not sure wat the heck that is.

you're better off changing all 4, but you can run the car like that.
toss in some fix-a-flat in your boot a long with a 12v portable air compressor
and you're set.

 

If it were me, I'd buy four new tires. I'd also find out about this rubbing issue. 195/55-16 tires should not rub on anything.

 

the dealer is rubbing on his wallet

 

Yeah, I think that's what's really going on. Don't buy any tires before finding out exactly WHAT, if anything, is wrong with your tires.

 

My tires are in constant contact with the rims. I've tried everything...

 

Just got back from the dealer with my car. The offical sheet says this:

Front tires need to be replaced, cust declined for the second time. Tires are balding on the outside edges. Not safe to drive.

So I guess i'll just replace all 4 of them. Are the Michelin Pilot Primacy 195/55R16 fine for my Mini Cooper Convertible?

 

yes, as long as you are ok with no runflats.

you might also look in the classifieds for OEM take-offs. about the same money.

 

Its about 120 a tire at Costco but that includes installation. And they got a special right now for like 60 off a set of 4.

 

yeah, but you'd spend less buying a takeoff set and then selling yours. much less

 

I'm curious - how's the tread on the rest of the tire (not just the outside edge)? If the tread is still good across most of the tread surface, and just worn on the outer edge, then maybe you just need the toe adjusted. If the tires are "balding", as opposed to say "cords starting to show through", I don't think I'd necessarily agree that they are unsafe.

Hard to say without being there, of course. Just keep in mind that the dealers charge A LOT for tires, so there may be some extra incentive to get you to buy a set tires from them.

 

I'd be more worried about what caused the problem, as it's likely to cause the exact same problem again on your new tires.

The only way I could imagine any rubbing on the rim would be from driving in a severely under-inflated state or curbing.

 

I'm wearing out my shoulders MUCH faster than the center of my treads - after 16K miles, my shoulders are almost toast. My pressures are fine. Pretty sure my alignment is also. It has EVERYTHING to do with how I drive - which is cornering like a banshee every opportunity I get... trips to the Dragon, other mountain runs, Sunday afternoon local twisty assaults, trying to cause oversteer on the onramp on the way home... so I have nobody to blame but me... But low tread on the shoulders doesn't equal an unsafe tire - unless you drive like me.

 

dang, so are mine!

 

Is it possible since they were never rotated? Just hit 24k.

 

Howard,

I am not a big guru on tires, but if you never rotated them, it is understandable that the fronts are shot. They wear a lot more than the rear. I would have the alignment checked, they should be wearing pretty much even. I would not go with 2 different sets of tires. Either replace the 2 that are shot with the same or go with new 4. I think the dealers do not want you to rotate so that they can sell you 2 new tires every couple of years. That way, you always buy the runflats. I will replace my runflats with regular tires. I don't know about the Pilots, I have them on my lexus 300 and they were very highly rated, but I don't know about for the Cooper--probably they will be fine.

Richard

 

Costco refused to replace my run-flats with non-runflats when I was price shopping there recently.

They said if it came on the car, Michelin and Bridgestone wouldn't allow (!) them to replace them with anything different.

 

Although I have not yet purchased them, my Costco said that they would be willing to put non-run-flats on my 2004 MCS, replacing the worn-out OE run-flats. I plan to get Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S.

 

If you're not going to go with run flats, you should go with 205/50-16 tires because you'll have more choices.

The Michelin Pilot Primacy didn't fare too well against others in it's class:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=GT

 

Dealers are told not to rotate worn fronts to the back because it can cause snap oversteer... a condition that most drivers won't handle well. If you rotate regularly and often, a balance between front and rear tire quality is kept and it isn't such an issue.

 

Interesting tech letter in the new R&T that showed up today, regarding new vs. worn tires on the rear of FWD cars.

Apparently, it's standard practice (and recommended) when only replacing two tires on a FWD car to put the worn ones on the front and the new ones on the rear, as the above posts states. If one of the worn tires fails, the resulting understeer is easier to control than possible oversteer caused by a failed rear. Also, you want the new tires with better wet traction in the rear for the same reason.

 

Ok just got back from Costco and the guy didn't recommend the Michelin Primary Pilots cause they were all season. He mentioned someone about upscaling to 205/50 tires, will that even work on my Mini? Something called Traction TA.

 

order something from Tire Rack and have them dropshipped to a local installer. Better choice of tires that way. I recommend PTEX in Sterling...Russell is a good guy and will take care of you.

 

The Tire Rack lists the Michelin Pilot Primacy as a Grand Touring Summer tire and the BFGoodrich Traction T/A (V & H Speed Rating) as a High Performance All-Season tire. What kind of tire are you looking for ... Summer or All-Season

205/50-16 is the most common non-runflat replacement tire choice for 16" wheels.

 

Howard,

I replaced my run flats four weeks ago with a set of BF Goodrich g-Force Sport. Purchased and installed at Costco. I'm very happy with the tires; the improvement in ride quality and reduced road noise are amazing. Initially the Costco tire center manager refused to install non RFs on the car, but he relented once I told him I'd be carrying a can of slime and a compressor. Guess they need to ensure customers understand and plan for the risk.