I'm about ready to replace the OEM ContinentalContiProContact tires on my 2010 MINI Cooper R56 (justa).

Selection is limited in the OEM size (175/65R-15 84 H), so I'll probably go with the 195/60-15 size (my OEM rims are 5.5" wide).

My first two choices right now are:
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S, which TireRack.com calls "High Performance, All-Season"
- or -
Michelin Primacy MXV4, which TireRack calls "Grand Touring All-Season"

Michelin says the MXV4 is for comfort on touring sedans, while the Pilot Exalto A/S is more for sport handling. But owners leaving reviews at TireRack.com seem to have slightly higher satisfaction with the MXV4s. My concern is that the MXV4 may give up too much handling, which is what makes the MINI such a joy to drive.

Does anybody have experience with one or both of these tires on a MINI?
This is a daily commuter, which also sees some spirited recreational driving on the twisting back roads of southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas. We sometimes cram 2 weeks of camping gear in (and on top of) the MINI and head for the back roads of Utah, Colorado, Arizona New Mexico, etc.
http://smu.gs/QQQIQr

I've actually been pretty happy with the OEM Contis, but as they are getting close to the wear bars (21k), I'm noticing some hydroplaning - and I hate to slow down very much for the wet.

We get a little snow and ice here, not much, and I've found the Contis are not much good for winter conditions.

Other tires on my short list are:
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position
BFGoodrich Advantage T/A
Yokohama AVID ENVigor

I'll be buying the tires from a local shop - Bud's Tires in Springfield, Missouri.
http://garywright.smugmug.com/Travel.../M/Buds2-M.jpg
Bud likes Michelin, BF Goodrich, and Bridgestone - but not Yokohama, Kumho, or General.

 

I have the Pilots on my MINI and just put the Primacys on my Subaru. Not exactly an apples to apples comparison, but for what you want I recommend the Pilots. And, I had an absolutely horrible experience with BFGoodrich on the Subaru.

 

Using the stock 15" wheels and your cooper-

Best choice overall would be-

Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position (Ultra High Perf All Season tire)
195/60-15 $83 each, 400 treadwear
Tirerack test result:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=156

Best choice is due to-
Overall good handling for a Cooper in both dry or wet and three seasons
Decent comfort for daily driving
Decent treadwear
Good price/value
Suits Bud

 

JAB 67 and minihune - Thanks for the input! Based on your recommendations, I'm moving the Pilot Exalto A/S and the Potenza RE960AS into tied-for-first place - and I'm demoting the Michelin MXV4 to second place. (Reluctantly - on TireRack.com a significant percentage of MXV4 owners are delighted. Having said that however, controlled comparison tests carry a lot more weight with me than users subjective reviews.)

But how to break the tie?

The only direct comparison testing I could find between the Pilot Exalto A/S and the Potenza RE960AS was focused on winter performance:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=124
... the Pilot Exalto looks somewhat better in the snow, but that is not a major issue for me.

This test compared the Pilot Exalto A/S *Plus* with the Potenza RE960AS:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=115
... and the two are pretty much a dead-even-tie, tho the Michelin looks a tad better than the Bridgestone on wet pavement. Unfortunately, the "Plus" version of the Pilot Exalto A/S is not available in my size, and I'm not sure if there is any basis for comparison between the Plus and not-Plus versions.

TireRack.com calls both the Pilot Exalto A/S Plus and the Potenza RE960AS "Ultra High Performance All Season" tires - I don't really know what elevates a tire from "High Performance" (Pilot Exalto A/S) to "Ultra High Performance". I would have thought it might be speed rating, but I notice on TireRack.com, in the 15" sizes, the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS have the same "H" rating as the Pilot Exalto A/S, so ... ???

 

I replaced the Conti 175/65 with Kumho 4X 205/55 size and am very pleased with the result. The improvement in handling is nothing short of transformational. It is a different car. I have Michelin Primacy MXV4 on my '89 Mustang 5.0 and they are very nice tires...but they are not performance tires.

 

Auto-da-fe, thanks for your suggestion. The Kumho Ecsta 4X is on my list. It has impressive user reviews, and decent test results:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=151

Sadly, it's not offered in my OEM size of 175/65-15, nor my preferred substitute size of 195/60-15.

I put Kumhos on my wife's Honda CRV (Solus KR21) and I believe they are doing a fine job for her. Since I got the MINI, I don't drive the Honda much.