Hi all, due to the size that I have 205/45 17. I can only choose from Yoko AD08R or the old RE11 (not the new RE11A, and my car can't go 215/45 17) Here is what I've concerned....

1.) Does the AD08R much improve their wet performance? In my town it rains a lot in summer so the old AD08 is out of my radar.

2.) Does the AD08R improve the road comfort and road noise? AD08R is a newer tire but not sure if they make their improvement in this category.'


Thanks a lot

 

Why are you stuck with the 205/45/17? There are lots of other sizes that work just fine on a mini. If you're not doing track days and just looking for a good sticky DD tires I probably wouldn't go for either of those. However, of the two options you listed I like the RE-11

 

Stuck with 205/45 17 because the tire shop crew said my jcw is lowered and cannot go with a wider tire (215/45 17)

 

They don't know what they're talking about. Chances are very good you can go slightly wider with a 215/45/17

How low are you? What's your suspension setup?

 

Standard jcw suspension and spring

 

You have lots of options. Unless you are trying to make this a dedicated track or autocross tire, you can also consider Max Summer tires.

You have these 3 choices in Extreme Summer tires-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...rk=1&x=21&y=16

Prices for Max Summer tires are mostly less- and tires will last a little longer
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...wdp=N&showcm=N

There is really not much loss of grip for street driving using either Michelin Pilot Super Sport or Bridgestone Potenza S-04.

It may be possible to fit a 215/45-17 tire with your suspension but you might have to dial in some negative camber or be willing to dremmel away some of the inner wheel arch plastic where it rubs under load. Just look at your current wheel/tire to wheel arch clearance then imagine just a little more tire width and a taller tire diameter by about 0.4".

You can also consider 215/40-17 which gives more clearance than OEM.
Slightly low load rating of 83 for some tires in that size.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...40&diameter=17

 

I have an '06 JCW (incl JCW suspension), and I've had 215.45.17 on it for at least 6 months now. They don't know what they're talking about.

Pretty much the same as a tire shop telling me they can't switch my runflats for "normal" tires because 1. MINI requires it, and 2. the car won't handle as well with non runflats.

 

My current tire shop already have someone stuck his hand inside the tires to see how much space my car could fit) ) he said my back tires are fine with 215/45 17, but not the front.

From the internet i saw "The Coupe also sits 29mm lower than the hatchback", maybe that occur the same for the JCWs. However you guys are right, I should go get another advice from a different tire shop

In terms of 205/45 17 goes, my country doesn't import PSS with this size. BS Potenza S-04 could be a good alternative. For my 250+HP MINI (after chipped my car), I want to go with something extreme to unleash my car's potential.

 

Forget the tire shops - stick your own head and arm into the wheel well and see how much clearance there is on the in-board and out-board sides of front and rear tires.

The increase from 215 to 205mm tire width is only 10mm, only 5mm on each side. Tires vary more than that from model-to-model (none are actually exactly 215mm or 205mm if you measure them), so arguing that 215 wont fit is highly premature.

Once you measure for yourself - insert a finger or two between the edge of the tire and the spring perch (inboard) and fender lip (outboard), tell us what you find.

As a reference, I'm running 225mm tires on KW lowered car and it fits!

You are on the right track, but I suspect you are getting poor advise from the shop.
Which is why most of us learn how to DIY and take care of our own cars!

a

 

Haven't tried both, so I can't give a fully informed judgment, but the RE-11 are incredible. I haven't had any problems in the rain (it doesn't rain a lot here, but they've been fine the few times it has) and they have nearly endless grip (and are predictable near the extremes).

 

Yes it was significant improvement. A stickier tire all the way around.

The noise is a bit better, but the ride is still very firm.

While AD08R has made some drastic improvements, the Re11 offers better wet traction, and the ride and noise comforts.

 

if you have the option go with michelin PSS or Continental Extremecontact D/W
those are some of the best tires i have had on my 370z and i will be looking into getting those tires when i swap rims and tires for the mini

if those 2 tire brands are the only option though, stick to RE-11s