2007 MC (base wheels and tires) has 14,000 miles. Dealer claims front ones should be replaced -3/16 and rears only have 4/16. Car not driven that hard. Anyone else have issue?

 

Wow that is some very poor mileage out of your tires.

Have you rotated them & do you check the air pressure on a regular basis? Is this normal wear or do the tires show any odd wear patterns? Could be an alignment problem. Kind of hard to guess. Got any pictures of the tires?

 

Depends upon the tires. I'm assuming they are the Continental 15" tires. I'm guessing the performance version. When I ordered my 2007 MC the MA told me the performance 15" would be good for about 20,000. He said the all weather would be good for twice that.

I ordered the 15" in all weather and find them to be a nice tire. There are not alot of options for replacement 15" tires that fit the mini, so I'll probably order the 15" all weather when the time comes.

I just checked tire rack. The all season tires have a tread rating of 400, the performance 15" a 280.

Go all seasons. I also just looked, and they are H rated, 60,000 warranty. They are also only 80 bucks each, not bad.

 

According to Consumer Reports, treadwear ratings are a "feel good" number. There is no state or federal standard for applying the ratings and each manufacturer does it their own way. The most you can hope for is that all tires made by the same manufacturer are better or worse than their counterparts, based on the ratings. Comparing among manufacturers isn't possible.

 

The front Dunlop performance runflats on my MCS were worn down to the wear bars after only 12k miles, but I drive hard whenever possible. Tires were never rotated.

 

I got the all weathers on my MC and they are wearing exceptionally well. I am pleased.

 

I have a 2007 S with 21k miles on the original run flats. THey have been rotated about every 6k miles. I drive the vehicle very easy both for fuel economy and durability. I anticipate about another 5k miles of usable life which is above what most people get. It is all in how the tires are cared for and how hard the vehicle is driven. They will be replaced with H rated non run flats good for at least 60k.

 

I have about 28k miles on my original run flats. I just took them off for the season and i can probably get one more summer out of them, that's it.

 

I've read elsewhere that the rear OEM lower control arms don't allow for the proper camber adjustments enough in all directions and because of this the rear tires will wear out much faster than they should.

 

Chuck,
They are the 15" all season. I keep pressure checked. Have not rotated, which accounts for slight difference between front and back. Even wear. I cant take any pics at moment as just had carpal tunnel surgery (typing this with my left hand). Only hard running was keeping up with you MCS's on Amish Country run.
Rob

 

if the wear is even across the tire and the alignment not out, you might consider a claim against the 60,000 mile warranty. Take it to a tire place that sells continental tires and ask them about it. They will prorate the warranty based on the miles you have on the tire. Its worth a try. Buy a tread gauge and measure across the tire yourself.

 

+1

I'd talk to your dealer about getting an alignment in any case. Especially if you are going to be getting a new set of tires.

Your tire wear is surprising. Those Continentals are know to go pretty far before they wear out. If you look in the classified market here on NAM you may find a new set pretty cheap.

Hope your hands heal up fast. I read on the Nikon forum that holding a Canon camera can cause carpal tunnel.

 

I went out into the cold garage and checked again. There seems to be quite a distance between the tread and top of the wear indicators. I'm getting a gauge and checking for myself. The dealer may have been overly cautious (or anxious to sell me some tires). And thanks for the tip on my CT-but been using my Leica M more than the Canon, so must be something else

Rob