Hi my american friends I'm opening this thread to make some clear about the Pirelli PZero and also ask your experience if anyone had one.
I'm talking about this model:

http://www.pirelli.com/tire/us/en/car/sheet/pzero.html

There's a lot of confusion about the PZero, since Pirelli used this name for the tires that Ferrari F40 had in 1987 (Pzero Giallo), so after 25 years they made a new gamma. Not to be confuse with the Pzero Nero or Nero Gt or Rosso or Corsa or Asimmetrico etc... Big brother with same design of this is the Pzero Silver.

I've been a couple of week ago to Mugello circuit that is 30 min from my home to see some free test and there were two Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 with these tires equipped. I had the chance to talk to an engineer of Pirelli and he told me that the compound of this particular model has been reformulated in 2012, with outstanding perfomance compared with other leader brand like Michelin Continental Goodyear Dunlop etc.
The UTQG is 220, so they will worn out probably quicker than other but they promise to have plenty of grip, checking the comparision test on the site they seem though! Perhaps the complain people had (but with powerful cars) was just about wearing, not performance. And there's no more stupid thing that save some bucks for a set of tires since they keep you glued to the road.

They've update the specific size for the mini, 205/45-17, before 2012 this tyre was available only in run flat.

So, I've never had Pirelli in my life if not for motorcycle but I think its worth a try, I will have to change my Mini shoes in a month maybe and I'll surely try these one. I've check on tirerack but it seems they haven't put in, but for pirelli site they seems available in the US.
I'm sure they are perfect for our Mini, and I'm wondering if anyone of you has tried them...at least I'm gonna be one of the first to give a try!

 

The new Pirelli Pzero Nero GT comes in 205/45-17 and is non runflat, it's a Max Summer tire that should work for you. Treadwear 280 and comes in V and W speed rated versions from about $130 on up, each.

The tirerack comparison of owner surveys shows-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=MP

While it looks to be an OK tire, until it is tested we don't really know how good it might be.

Most owners in the US are pleased with-
Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Bridgestone Potenza S-04

You can also consider 215/45-17 which will fit a MINI with stock suspension without rubbing. There are many more tires that will come in this size.

 

Unfortunately we don't have Bridgestone S-04 but yes the Michelin Super Sport, but the Pirelli you indicate me has nothing to do with the model I'm talking about. Check this out, its the same pirelli site but italian version, there's review on few magazine

http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/it/it/ca.../sheet/results

If you check the also the first winner test on the "Motor Magazine" of April 2013, it outperform also the Pilot Super Sport.



However it seems no one has tried them on a Mini...

 

OK,

The Pirelli tire you describe is the P Zero and comes in 205/45-17 non runflat in your country, Italy. But it is not available except as a runflat in the US hence no one has used it as a non runflat in 205/45-17 or 215/45-17.

I doubt that the Pirelli P Zero you describe will be as good as the Michelin Pilot Super Sport in 205/45-17 (non runflat).

The Pirelli P Zero is an older design what shows it's age in Tirerack tests with other Max Summer tires which are all fairly modern designs.
see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=148
The P Zero is a little noisy and isn't as good in the wet.

It's not a bad tire though, if you can get it at a good price it would be OK.

The tire to look for if you want longer treadwear is Continental ExtremeContact DWS (Ultra High performance All Season tire) 540 treadwear, comes in 205/45-17. A good street tire with good all season handling.
see tirerack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=177

Or Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus (Grand Touring All Season tire) in 215/45-17
700 treadwear
see tirerack owner surveys-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...wws=N&showcm=N

 

i know its a bit off topic, sorry abt that. Driven a countryman with Cint P7 A/S recently, I can feel the difference of the grip level of that specific tire compare to the summer version of Cint P7 or conti procontact ( which both of them are pretty grippy) on the countryman (tried the above tires on countryman). Cint p7 A/S definatly has the highest treadwear, but I'm not too sure about its grip, feels a bit weird on a 270 deg freeway ramp.

 

Hi mate thank you for the info, I just read that article that you linked but it takes back in 2011.

This morning I've spoke to Pirelli and they confirmed me that the 205/45 17 88Y XL (or AR that is made for Alfa Romeo 4C) has been introduced in 2013, so its pretty new (Material code 2207200). Compound is soft.

Before that one, the "Pzero the Hero" (this is the real name) was only available in 205/45 17 84V Runflat. Confirmed another kind of material, harder.

Top gamma of Pirelli btw is this
Pirelli Pzero Corsa
Pirelli Pzero (the hero)
Pirelli Pzero Silver (a harder compound but same design)
Pirelli Pzero Nero, Nero Gt, Rosso (all of these are far step down from other)

The cinturato is completely another line of tires and I don't think it can be a common choice for mini enthusiast! I don't care about treadlife I've notice how after a couple of years all tyres loose performance due to hardener of compound, so at least 2 season and I change them.

Asking if this tire was available for the US he told me it should be available, and that of course between these leader brand like michelin pirelli goodyear, unless you use the car for trackdays, there's no that difference you can tell driving in the street.
Assuming that this size is quite new I'm sure no one over there has tried, like I said in the previous post I'm gonna try them soon.

I hope it has been helpful and its another option for our mini!

 

Don't think I know anyone that runs Pirellis...

Either run DZII, RS-3 (2014 models), RE-11A, or what I run, BF Goodrich G-Force Rivals. Treadwear rating around 200 and they all grip like hell which sounds like what you want.

Forget the P Zeros and move onto one of the above...

 

I totally agree with you, unfortunately in Europe we don't have the DZII (I've had Direzza 02G and also 03G on my old Lotus Elise) same with Bridgestone and BFG. At least for trackdays we use Toyo R888 or Yoko A048, Federal RS595R (actually what I'm using but its in 215/40 ZR17 and I wanna go back to 205/45). I love R compound but just for trackdays I've had some bad acquaplaning experience with semi-slick, the goal is find an all-round tyre a step below what you suggest me. I would never use the characteristic of semislick on the street, just to let them warm up, here its not possible.
And with a lot of rain in winter you know better than me you go straight in a turn...guarantee!!

So choice were these on 205/45 R17:
Pirelli Pzero
Michelin Pilot Super Sport (but those are super expensive)
Goodyear Asymmetric 2.

I'm sure they can be a good option for a daily spirited driver, leaving apart choice too much trackday oriented.
thanks

 

Ah, got it. Well, the Michelin PSS is probably the best bet then. Overall it continues to have the best grip and compromise in wet than any other tire available at the moment. If I was looking for a tire with treadwear rating close to 300, those would be it...

 

Yep, that's the point, perhaps the battle now is between the Michelin and the Pzero. First are treadwear 280, the second 220 and there's two version available of pzero: that one with the symbol star * its homologated for BMW as for the AR for Alfa Romeo, this last one is 20 euro more expensive than the bmw ones. I'm just curious because its a 2013 new compound tyre so it would be nice to test again.
With no doubt it has softer compound than michelin, at the end both of Pzero and PSS will make their job I guess...in case I'll switch to pirelli's I'm gonna tell you, but I've still little time to decide ... thanks again for your help!!

 

Another option are Hankook V12 evo2's. They're new to 2014. Not sure when they'll out be out, but they seem to be very liked among MINI owners, at least the current version. Good value and supposedly grip real well with 280 treadwear.

 

I've seen the Hankook, the old RS2 have been my first tires when I bought my mini, but they were more trackday oriented, these one seems cheap, the tread design is identical to the Dunlop Sp Sport Maxx, and I've decided to don't use anymore directional tyre for several reason, asymmetric is much more better in my opinion.
Also the shoulder has tiny block compared to other, the only asiatic brand I trust is Bridgestone, also if the last set I get of Adrenalin RE002 was made in Indonesia.
I've heard some complain about the Hankook V12 Evo 1 for the soft sidewall...

 

I see. Well evo2 is still a viable option based on price and treadwear longevity. I think sidewall softness is a sacrifice for what they're intended for.

 

Hi, I've just recently joined this forum, although I've had my 2006 Mini S for 4 years now.
I liked the original Dunlop Sport 900's that were on the car when I bought it, and they lasted about 65,000 klms. ( about 39,000 miles), but then I replaced they with the pirelli P Zero 205/45R17's. The handling and traction were not as impressive as the Dunlop's, and they were bald in 17,000 klms. (about 11,000 miles). I drive the car hard but not that hard. I just purchased a set of Goodyear Eagle GT's - 235/45R17 with Helo HE845 Chrome Rims. According the the tech at The Tire Rack, I should not have to run wheel spacers for clearance. I guess I will find out.

Just want to say that I am finding NAM very helpful and informative.

Dave

 

Dave, lucky you if you've drove for 65.000km with no issues ah hard rock tyre like the Dunlop Sp 9000. Sounds a little strange you compared an UHP and a Max Performance with an all season high performance like GY Eagle GT, but its ok, its subjectively. Btw 235 seems a little too much for a Mini!

 

Hi,
I was unsure if the 235/45R17's would fit on my Mini, but I just got them mounted and installed on the car today and they actually fit OK. There is a little rubbing in the front at full turn on the inside on the inner liner and a little rubbing on the rears on the top of the wheel trim and liner but only when I hit a good bump. I did install 4 15mm hubcentric spacers to gain clearance on the inside edge front and rear. I may half to do a bit of trimming on the rear. Time will tell.
Dave

 

I'm not sure why your tirerack salesman thought that 235/45-17 was the correct tire size for your R53 MINI.

235/45-17 fits 7.5-9" wide rims, perfect for 8" rim, has a very tall 25.4" tire diameter or about 1" taller than Stock.

When I search tirerack.com for Goodyear Eagle GT in 235/45-17 I get:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...rk=1&x=15&y=18
No matches.

 

Just picked up a set of Michelins PSS at tire rack for $527 after rebate. Can't wait to get em on.