I have a 2007 base cabrio and its Pirelli 3000 tires are wearing pretty fast (rears already at 3/32s at 17,000 miles). Theoretically, these are long wearing tires and I really don't push the car that hard. Any suggestion for a long wearing, reasonably handling tire (btw, I have the 15" wheel).

 

No really good suggestions since I'm asking a similar question. I've got 20k on Conti2 originals and I don't really push it hard very often.

There are recent threads with a great amount of discussion of this you can search for. The Michelin Exalta series seems to be well-received in these. Problem is, for a 15" rim, like mine, 175R15, the 65-size sidewall is rare for most brands.

A buddy, who is a real car guy, told me that the amount of testing done by the factory is something we can't replicate. He recommends trusting the owners manual choices of size, but I'm not going to buy 16" rims unless there is a real payoff, either in performance or in cost savings (higher mileage tires based on wider selection).

Don't know what to tell you.

 

You know what, after going to several rather large companies whom sell tires on line, I was surprised at the LACK of selection for MINI Cooper S for OEM sizes in Non Run Flat tires. 205/45/17's.

Micheline....nada, Yokahama ? Dunlop maybe one, Goodyear one..Big Deal, and the probably only last 10-15,000 miles.....

I get a sense that in order to have a decent All Season High Performance or Ultra High Performance tire which provides; decent wear, low noise and decent handling stabiltiy in most weather conditions, you have to opt for smaller rims, maybe even 15's ?

Anyone else find this odd ?

 

Man, how are all you guys wearing these things out? My tires are at almost 19,000 and only the fronts look like about 1/3 to 1/2 their life is gone, the backs look like brand new.

 

While waiting to take posession of our MINI, I am becoming mystified after reading about tire wear. I put 197,000 miles on a '98 Caprice Wagon and only bought two sets of tires. We ran through the factory set and replaced them with Toyos and when they died put on another set just like them. The first set gave us just under 100,000 and the second was still good to go when we traded it in.

Point being; I'm used to getting a lot better distance out of a set of tires than what I am reading here. Do I need to reconsider my decision or look to an entirely different type of tire than most folk seem to be using or just accept what comes and chalk it up as being the nature of the beast? That Caprice was a hell of a lot heavier car too.

 

MINIs eat tires. I only averaged 12,000 miles out of my first three sets. (Goodyear RSA, Avon M550, Kumho 711)

Look into Nokian tires. They make lots of 15" tires in all sizes and catagories.
They are my longest wearing tires yet. My set of their performance summer tires "Nokian V's" have 5 out of 8mm of tread depth remaining in only 15,000 miles. This includes one autocross even where I lost 1mm of tread from all tires. (Nokian tires have built in depth gauges)

I have a spirited driving style, and I used the same style for all these tires.

 

Thank you for the reply and information. I am hearing tire brands that are completely new to me that require further research. Guess I'm moving into a new world here and need to keep my eyes and ears open and a little more shut with the mouth (tend to learn more that way). I am interested in autoX eventually and will probably look into a set of uninspired wheels and task specific tires just for that activity.

 

Your low tire mileage could be the result of your driving style. I got 35K out of my run flats, then 30K out of a set of Yokohama AVS100's. I consider my driving style spirited but I don't do track time.

I recently bought a set of Bridgestone RE960AS Pole Position. I like them alot, the turn-in is not a quick as with the Yokohama's but the grip is just as good.

retroom

 

It basically is. I tend to drive at the limit of the tires, flooring it, hard braking, etc.

 

Yup, then any car you driven the same way, not just a MINI, would eat tires.....

retroom

 

I have almost 30k on a set of cheapy Kumho ASXes and they show almost no wear...I don't drive like a snail but I don't push it very often either (maybe once a month or so on club runs). It is all in how you drive.

 

Neither the brand of tire nor the style of driving may be the problem. Your alignment could be the problem. Too much toe can really go through a set of tires VERY quickly. I had a set of Kumho's put on when I initially had my adj. camber plates installed (I had decided to install the plates at the same time as my next tire change). The alignment done at that time was so poor that that set of tires only lasted approx 6000 miles!! The inner part of the tread was down to less than 3/32's in that short time. The car got a new alignment, at which time the mechanic informed me that the toe had been set too great at the last alignment and caused the excessive wear. I got the alignment and a new set of Kumho's at that time (same model of tire). The new set with the proper alignment has lasted 8000 miles so far, and the tires still look almost new (both on the inside and outside portions of the treads).

 

1st gen MINIs seem to be hard on tires, and tire performance varies inversely with tread life. (Stickier tires tend to be softer and don't last as long.) I've had the same tires (Goodyear Eagle F1s) on 3 MINIs now, the R53 chewed through them in about 8000 miles and a day at the track finished them off. On the R56 they're still half there after 12000 miles and a day at the track barely wore any off them.

 

--Check tire pressure often (like once a week or max once a month) and keep them properly inflated.
--Rotate, rotate, rotate. I rotate the tires on our 2006 S about every 3500 miles (takes about 20-30 minutes).

We're at about 25,000 on our original 17" Dunlop high performance tires and they do not need to be replaced. I run all-season tires in the winter time (total mileage on the car is about 32,000).

 

Thread moved to Wheels and Tires section for greater response.


I tore through my OEM runflats (the goodyear all seasons) in a hurry (longest lasting 23k mi at the wear bars) but everything since then has held up really well wear wise, unfortunately pot holes and nails say otherwise since then

 

Where are you located?
What kind of weather conditions do you drive in?

Its kinda hard to recommend tires w/o knowing that info.

I would suggest calling Tire Rack and speaking to one of the reps. They usually know the right questions to ask in order to recommend a tire that should fit the needs.

 

Not quite sure who you are addressing here, but after reading all this information for the past few days, I am deciding to apply Ockham's razor to the subject and just go with what I am most familiar. For the same reason, I hate going into those ice cream places that have more that three choices. Life is too short to waste time making hard decisions on simple things.

 

215/45/17

Alex

 

I live in the SF Bay Area and my driving style is moderate (I never hear my tires squeal in any car that I drive). My car has 17k and the alignment is "spot on" according to the dealer. P3000s are supposed to be a pretty long wearing tire (50,000K in my Saab). I am not looking for super high performance, just safe and long wearing tires. Any suggestions?

 

I just got 4 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position from Americas Tire. I like them a lot, they are quite and perform well. These are all-season tires, my last set of "Ultra high performance Summer" tires lasted 30K, I expect to get at least 50K out of these tires. BTW, I'm running 205/55/16.

retroom

 

At America's Tire store, they have very limited options at the 175/65/15's but they show numerous options at "Plus zero" 185/60/15 or 195/60/15. Will these fit my 15" wheels?

 

Yep, these sizes will fit, I run the 185/60R15 size in a winter tire on my OEM 15 x 5.5" wheels.

 

185/65 and 195/60 are ideal

185/65 being my best pick for snow traction

Alex

 

Look at Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S on Tirerack. Top rated high performance all-season tire and I agree. I'm running 205/55/16's but plan to buy another set for my winter 15" wheels. Several 15" choices. I'm sure Alex can recommend the best size for winter use. Great handling and very smooth riding.

 

Thanks Alex, The only problem is the following regarding All Season Tires and being in New England in a MINI going to the wider 215 tire for winter driving ect.


-MCS front rear weight Distribution is like 63% front / 37% rear.

-The OEM 205's cut deeper into the snow means more traction.

- Wider tires = increased hydroplaining in the rain.

I love Michelin tires, but I guess I am going with your Good Year Eagle F1 HP All Season 215/45/17. They have some excellent reviews, and appear to be easier on the wallet than the run flats are

Thanks.