I have a new '12 Mini with the stock 175/65/R15 ContiPremiumContact 2 tires. I'm interested in upgrading to something with more cornering ability, but wanted to get opinions form people who have gone from the OEMs to something sportier. Did you see a big improvement going to something higher performance, or larger?

To me the contis seem decent all around, but I seem to get them sliding pretty easily in the corners.

My main priorities are, in this order:
1) performance/cornering
2) rain performance
3) ride/noise

I'm considering going to a 16 or 17, so my options are pretty wide open. Not so much wanting specific recommendations as much as confirmation that there is a big improvement to be had by swapping/upsizing.

 

I have no experience with 15s, but have considered going down from 16s on a MC. The OE 175/65/15 offerings for good summer grip are practically nil. You'll find much better offerings in the 195/55/15 size, but they're a bit smaller in diameter and molded for a 6" wide rim. A switch to that size would be reasonable. There are also some very good offerings in the 205/50/15 size, but with a bit smaller diameter still, and molded for a 6.5" rim.

Considering the 15" grippy tire sizing problem, you might consider going to lightweight aftermarket 16" wheels with 205/50/16 size tires. That's what I think I'd do in your shoes.

 

OEM tires are a compromise of cost/performance/wear, etc.

There are *vastly* better choices, depending on what you prioritize.

*Yes*, it's worth researching. Many forum posts here, along with reviews of tires on TireRack and others. I'm most familar with TireRack: choose the size you need, get the list of tires. Read reviews for each tire that interests you. You can sort them by average reviewers rating, price, UTQG ("sort of" a wear rating, not precise but relative, low numbers stickier/wear faster, higher numbers less sticky/wear longer), or whatever.

You can even filter the reviews by type of car (e.g., MINIs only), how many miles experience the purchaser had with the tires, or other factors.

So *different* tires can be a big lift; when going *larger*, keep a eye on over all diameter & weight: increases in either can (negatively) affect performance in other ways besides potentially improving grip.

Happy hunting!

 

This is good and I run them myself on stock 15" rims

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....60PP&tab=Specs

$80 each 400 treadwear

 

This is the way I'm thinking of going at the moment. Would that be a 16 x 7 wheel?

Thanks

 

I have the 15" Contis. I think they are fine but would want to ride with someone sliding them on public roads.

I also have 205/50-16 Dunlop Star Specs for autocrossing where they are much faster than the Contis. However, they are a waste of money on public roads unless you are socially pathological.

So it goes.

 

What is your budget? Where you going to wear out the stock tires first?
They last pretty long, or if you remove them with newish tread you can resell them to another MC owner.

If you do not like your current OEM rims (looks) then you can consider-

15x7 or 16x7 rims, check tirerack.com for sizes and offsets that will work with your MINI.

But the OEM 15" rims are decent enough and you don't have to buy new rims because 15" tire selection is actually better than you think if you consider-
185/60-15 and 195/60-15.

For example in the later size-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...60&diameter=15

If you are looking for handling but want longer wear and good in wet or dry then you can check out- Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS
Tire rack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=156
This is a Ultra High Performance All Season tire- good on handling but longer wearing, comfortable but good in wet or dry.

As you move to more performanced based tires they will grip better but wear faster. In that case the tire sizes in 16" will be more favorable.

Since this tire size fits rims 5.5 to 7" wide it doesn't matter if you use OEM or aftermarket 15" rims.

When moving to a larger diameter wheel like 16" or bigger your selection of tires will favor stiffer and lower profile tires.

16" wheels for the MINI usually work with-
195/55-16
205/50-16
205/55-16

17" wheels-
205/45-17
215/45-17

You can also tend to have a heavier wheel as the wheel gets larger/wider than stock.

Note that lower profile sidewalls are usually stiffer and handle well but ride rougher on poorly maintained streets. If you have bad roads to drive on then the taller sidewall tire options are safer and reduce risk of wheel or tire damage.

If you don't care about treadlife and have a bigger budget then you can consider Max Performance Summer tires, they grip well but wear out in about 1-2 years.

Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=148

None come in 15" sizes but some come in 16" sizes and the best one, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport comes in 17" sizes and larger. For an MC I don't think you need to spend that much to get better handling plus deal with the faster treadwear. If you drive low miles per year then a faster wearing tire could work.

 

I also am running the 195/65R15 RE-960 street tires on the "holies" 15" rims. They are a great set of tires for daily use and occasional spirited drives. I run 205/50r15 RE-11's for the track and autocross

 

I just ordered a set of these http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
to replace the inadequate Continentals on my new Mini. We'll see how they do.

 

Thanks very much for the responses. I actually wouldn't mind having a more sporty set of wheels on there, so 16" may be my best option. I'd be open to buying used. Am I better off going aftermarket in terms of weight?

I was going to store the OEM wheels and put them back on when the lease is up so I don't get pinged for tires or rim damage. Probably want to keep the wheel price down a bit, but don't mind spending a bit more on tires, since they are comparatively cheap in these smaller sizes.

 

I replaced the OEM 175/65x15 Continentals with the Kumho 4X in 205/55 and I'm very pleased.