Coopah is 6 years old now and has always run on Dunlop Sport 5000A DSST RF (195/55R16). I'm in a budget crunch this year and need to find cheaper tires. At about $160 a pop, the Dunlops are a bit too expensive for me now. So, I found Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid (same size) for $90 a pop. Anybody have any experience or input about these? Thanks!

 

Sounds like the next gen of the G009 which was a popular tire - I've got a set on my Subaru wagon. The only complaint is that they generate a little noise when turning.
If you want to save money, you can get a 205/50R16 for less. The Goodyear F1 GS-D3 for $56 from Tire Rack. They're High Performance Summer tires, but you're in SoCal, so unless you drive to the snow, it shouldn't be an issue.

 

Wow that's a great price! I have been looking at the Falken ZE-912s for our Mini in the 205/50R16 size. It looks like I'll be spending somewhere between 300 and 450 out the door for the Falkens.

Anyone with experience on the F1s?

 

I do not have them on a Mini but I loved my Potenza tires on my last car! +1

 

"If you want to save money, you can get a 205/50R16 for less. The Goodyear F1 GS-D3 for $56 from Tire Rack."

Hmm, I'll check into those. Thanks!

 

Great tires, and a really good price that. I've had the Eagles on 3 of the MINIs so far, great performance, quiet and comfortable. They don't last too long though, Tristan's are about half done after 10.5k miles, and I'm expecting to get a couple of new ones after we go to the track next week. (The last track day took 2-4mm off the fronts.)

 

Wow, talk about a deal. Thanks Eric.
I called the local Goodyear shop and they wanted $146ea for the same tire.
I just ordered them off of TireRack. $268 total for 4(with ship).
Thanks!

 

How are the tires? I'm about to order the same set.

 

Had these on previous MCS, great allround tire great in rain, chunks rubber wads on track. GREAT street tire.
Heres what Car & Driver had to say about them:
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires...y_f1_gs_ds.pdf

 

Yeah my wife is at a record for tires, her original Dunlop runflats are done at 42,000 miles. Her MCS won't ever see a track day, maybe an autocross someday but that's it.

I just ordered a set and I'll post a review with pics when I get them on. I'm just excited to have a quiet ride, our tires have been cupped from inadequate rotation for a long time.

 

No good on the track, eh? Too bad. Was hoping to use them for a day or two. Any particular flaws?

Thus far, I've been happy with them on the street. I honestly haven't noticed a night and day difference relative to the runflat (as far as ride goes, anyway), but they are definitely less noisy in corners. And they look sweet.

 

How much does your local shop charge for install, valve and balance?
Did they include this with the tires quoted for $90?

Around here most shops charge about $25/tire on regular rims, so your $56 tire just became $81.

Was there a shipping charge perhaps? If it was more than 9 bucks/tire you are now spending more.

If one of your new tires has a problem...is tire rack going to cover the extra charges or cover the warranty? if so, what if they say it was an install issue?

Sometimes an "out of town deal" is not really a deal.

I'd buy the Potenza's locally...IMHO.

 

Tirerack has road hazard warranties and if you use an authorized installer, they warranty that too.

That extra $25 you shop charges would be added to any tire you buy, so it is not a good argument against cheap online tires. Your shop may throw in the mounting and balancing when you buy a tire, but the tire price is higher to help absorb and hide this cost. Besides, $81 is still better than $190 or whatever tire stores charge.

I'm such a fan of online tire deals, I've never bought a set from a local tirestore.