Hi friends,

I'm looking for a new set of tires and was hoping to see if anyone had any suggestions. I'm looking for non run-flats that can roll both ways. I have some thin run-flats on right now but they are wearing unevenly and I'd like to try a thicker tire that gives a smoother ride. I live in Florida so mostly warm, dry conditions with a rainy season in the summer. There's never any snow down here so that's not a concern. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Andrew

 

Because Cooper is what my main wrench shop carries I had them install Zeon RS3-A. I really like them. They are bi-directional so rotating is cross back to front and front straight back. Much better grip on the twisties than the previous whatevers.

 

If you have 17" wheels, The Michelin Pilot Super Sports are great summer tires,
but if they're too pricey, the Continental DW summer tires are worth serious consideration.
They are assymetric, but not directional, so you can cross rotate them.


If you have 16", then Yoko Advan Sport V105 or Conti DW would be good choices
in 205/55/16, or Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 in 205/50/16.

 

After consideration, this didn't pan out to be as helpful as intended. Back to regular programming.

 

I have the cooper rs3-s and they are really nice, and at the 205/50/17 have a tad extra sidewall and grip really nice

 

Look at Continental DW 06 or the Continental DW.

I have the DW 06; very quite ride.

 

A summer tire will outperform an all-season in Florida,
unless you plan on driving north in the winter.

 

Everyone has their favorites, but my money's on the Michelin Pilot Super Sports. I'm on my second set, and while they're pricey, consider this: what's the actual component that keeps you on the road & outta the ditch? Tires. Suspension is key as well, but tires really are where the rubber meets the road, metaphorically and literally. After ditching the run-flats I tried Hankook Ventus Evo V12, and while budget-friendly and fairly decent, they don't stack up to the PSS if you really push them.

I'm in FL too, and the PSS are solid in heavy rains and very wet roads. Dry grip is outstanding, as two trips to the Dragon and many miles on twisty, made-for-MINI roads attest.

I found the plethora of reviews on Tire Rack very helpful when shopping. Good luck!

 

I have the bf goodrich g-force sport comp 2's (I think) and I love them. They're the best gripping street tire I've ever had, not too expensive (~$100/tire) and the wear life is decent (30,000 miles) rain grip is good until they are worn down to the wear bars, then it's awful, but I feel like it's unreasonable to expect a tire to perform when it's that worn.

 

I have Yoko Advan Sport V105 on my R50 for summer duty only. With 2 track days and two summers they still have plenty of tread left. I am in the Portland, OR, so it rains, not like the Gulf coast but the roads here are rutted from people with studded tires for the winter and there is lots of standing water. They do great. Lots of grip and communicative at the limit. Not too noisy at highway speeds but as the tread gets lower, the volume seems to be going up.

 

Another vote for BFG g-force sport comp 2. Outperform my Bridgestone RE760 they replaced.

 

Been running sumitomo htr ps a02 on my jcw and it has been a great all around tire in the pnw

 

Nitto Neogen. I have over 100,000 miles logged in on this brand model tire in the following applications:

If 16's = 205/50/16
If 17's = 215/40/17
If 18's = 215/40/18

They have a 280 wear rating, but due to the lack of weight of a MINI, they wear more like a 350 - 400. They are manufactured in the USA and for cars which run with camber as the MINI does. They are listed as an all season tire, and even know someone up here who runs them in winter, but IMHO I would only run these as a three season, for FL they would be perfect. They have a very STICKY rubber compound, no balancing issues and typically run under 100 dollars per corner.

 

As someone who lives in Florida, I agree a summer tire is the way to go. As a rule of thumb a Summer tire will outperform an All Season.

Tire Rack Max Performance Summer tests and review: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=218

Tire Rack Ultra High Performance Summer tests and review: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=217

 

Nexen SUR4 or Hankook RS3 all the way! The MINI is light and can use a softer compound with minimal effect on longevity(depends how you drive lol)

 

I've run all types of tires on the Mini and none have been as good all around as the Michelin Pilot Super Sports. On my second set of 215/45/17. AWESOME tire!!

 

For max grip and good in the rain the Bridgestone RE-71R is the top tire for the Florida Mini that will be pushed. They also score extremely well on track days and autoX.

 

Just picked up our Mini, the seller recently installed these tires. Never heard of them before but they seem to perform well and are quiet.

Westlake 225/40/18's

 

Westlake is a made in China tire company.