Hey Guys,

I have the 16" Dunlop 5000 run flats. I've put 24,000 miles on them and I think I may be able to squeeze a few more out of them but I need to start looking for tires. I don't think I want the run-flats again. What I'm looking at is a tire that will give me at least 40,000 (50,000 even better) See, I do a lot of highway miles–about 55-65 miles a day and I want a tire that's going to last. Sure I care about the performance and I realize it's difficult to have both without compromise. But right now I'm thinking mileage number one, performance number two. Any suggestions? Kumos? Firehawks?

Oh yeah, I'm a tightwad so I want some tires that are reasonably priced too. I got a wife that keeps saying threatening words like "Camry and Minivan" so I got a keep the cost of this car under the radar so I don't have to give it up when she gets rid of her God-awful Saturn.

thanks,

Jake

 

I like Nittos I have used them for years and I beat the heck out of em and they last for ever....and they are sticky too!! that's my opinion

 

I've never heard of them,who sells em?do they come in 205-50-16?

 

Assuming you are going to keep your 16x6.5" stock rims, you have a choice of tire sizes. 195/55-16 is limited at tirerack.com but 205/50-16 opens up more to choose from including-
Bridgestone Potenza RE-750 340 treadwear W rated $108 per tire
Fuzion ZRi 320 treadwear W rated $73 per tire
Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 340 treadwear V rated (280 for W rated) $78 each


Talk to alex@tirerack to discuss the trade offs of high mileage wear vs performance. Also consider 205/55-16 (slightly larger outer diameter, slightly heavier weight) which includes-
Avon Tech M550 A/S 360 treadwear W rated $77 (worth asking Alex about)
BFG Traction T/A H 440 treadwear H rated $86 each (good tire)
BFG g-Force T/A KDWS 400 treadwear W rated $95 each (treadwear varies-see tirerack reviews)
Bridgestone Potenza RE-950 400 treadwear H rated $105 each
Bridgestone Turanza LS-H 400 treadwear H rated $111 each
Continentail ContiExtremeContact 400 treadwear V rated $78 each (treadwear varies see tirerack reviews)
Michelins were more expensive, about 400 treadwear or less.

Edgeracing.com lists in 205/50-16
Hankook Ventus Hrii H405 340 treadwear H rated $57 per tire
Falken Ziex ZE-512 360 treadwear V rated $70 per tire (lightweight 19.4 lbs, about 30,000 mile rated, http://edgeracing.com/tire/754/ )

For Nitto tires (not available from any NAM sponsor, see discount tire)
Nitto NT 450 Extreme Performance: 205/55-16 300 wear V rated $74 each
Nitto NeoGen VR: 205/50-16 280 wear V rated $79 each
Other models not available to fit.

 

My previous BMW came with Michelin Energy MXV4. Even without rotating, the rear (the ones that wear the fastest) lasted more than 40,000 miles. At 40,000 miles, the rear still looks like it can go another 10,000, and the front is only half worn. On top of all that, it is fairly quiet, and has a noticably lower rolling resistance, giving better fuel economy. The down side is that it is not very sporty.

 

Edgeracing.com lists in 205/50-16
Hankook Ventus Hrii H405 340 treadwear H rated $57 per tire
Falken Ziex ZE-512 360 treadwear V rated $70 per tire (lightweight 19.4 lbs, about 30,000 mile rated,


So how does this "360 tread wear V rated" stuff work.

(I'm completely clueless on this)

-Jake

 

Don't forget the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 comes in 205/50/16 is Z rated, treadwear rating 280 and about $120 per
I've had them now for over 20,000 miles with 3 track days on them as well. They look good for another 10,000 miles and they are fantastic in rain.
They are however no good in snow, so if that's a consideration, you'd need a different set of tires for winter

 

Jake,
For every tire there is a treadwear number. The higher the number like 600 the longer tire tread wear you can expect under perfect conditions. But the true tread wear will depend on your driving, road conditions, and other factors. Selecting a tire with 360 rating gives you the expectation that they will last about 30,000 miles, it is no guarantee.

For every tire there is a speed rating. V, W, Y and Z rated tires (more performance use) can be driven at higher speeds than H rated tires (for normal street use) See Speed ratings-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...eral/speed.jsp

I left out many of the more expensive tires above $100+ each so you can look at the more economy choices first. Since you are not going to do performance driving you don't really need a performance tire per se. Performance tires typically are tread rated about 220 to 280 so they don't last, have softer sticky rubber compounds and hold the road well in corners and when going fast.

You can talk to the folks at Edgeracing about the Falkens or with Alex@tirerack.com and learn more. Let them know if you need to drive in the snow and how much there might be in the winter.

Basically you get what you pay for. Just don't expect your long wearing tires to perform like a racing tire and drive appropriately. If you maintain good tire pressure,check for wear and rotate the tires every 4000 miles, balance the fronts once a year and maintain good alignment then you should do well. A tire rated about 360 to 400 should work well for you.

Michelin Energy MXV4 are expensive ($120+ each) and may or may not last.
Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 and Bridgestone Potenza S-03 are great performance tires for the MINI but expensive and don't last much more than about 20,000 to 24,000. (rough cost $120 to $140+ each).

 

FWIW - A given tire manufacturer's treadwear ratings are only valid for comparison among said manufacturer's tires.
Their fastest wearing tire gets a baseline rating of 100. All of their other tires are rated against that baseline tire.
Example: Manufacturer X's tire rated 360 should (don't hold your breath) last 3.6 times as long as X's tire rated 100.
Best - Bodinski

 

Jake -- several of us have been very pleased with Falken Ziex ZE512s. I have 205/50R16s mounted on my MCS on aftermarket Rota wheels. They have proven quite good in the rain and even on snow. Much better on all counts than the previous Goodyear Wrung Phlats.


Don't hold it against the Ziexes, but they are so impressive that even Consumer's Report gave them top marks.

Tom

 

BFG Traction T/A H 440 treadwear H rated $86 each (good tire)

So do you think it's possible to maybe get around 40,000 miles out of these if I keep'em rotated?

Also what do you non-runflat guy/gals do about the spare? Carry a can of fix flat and a phone? I've used that stuff before. It's rare to have a full blown blow out (only happened to me once in my life) and I've had good luck in the past with fix a flat.

What do you guys think? Buy a temporary spare?

Thanks for everybody's help on this. This site rocks.

 

A compact spare will fit in the boot. Just put a homemade cover on it to keep things clean. A can of fix a flat will also work and membership in AAA with cell phone is nice to have besides the MINI roadside assistance.

The BFG Traction T/A H is "H rated" so not as good for higher speeds as the "V rated" Falken Ze-512 (less tread wear but better performance). Alex will know the lowdown on the Traction T/A. It is possible that one tire with 360 rating will last about the same as another with a 440 rating. It's just a relative guide.

My Kumho Victoracer 205/50-15 competition tires are rated 040. The rubber is super soft and sticky once heated up. If I take care, I can use them for a year of autocross and track.

 

I risk not carrying a spare in my S. I have one of the kits that has a bottle of green goo and a 12 volt compressor. BMW dealers carry them, but you can do as well at Target or WallyWorld or Pep Boys for $30-40. I've used the compressor a couple of times to inflate a low tire and limp to the nearest repair shop.

 

A tightwad.

First off Jake, tell the wife no matter what car you have it will have to have tires so there is NO reason to scrap the MINI because of rubber.

Many different companies have good performance tires that last long, but it depends on how you drive them. If your squealing from light to light no tire is going to last. If you’re only driving highway type miles and no true racing a tire should give you its life in miles and then some. I’ve driven safely many 20,000 mile tires 40,000 miles including the runflats on my 2002 MCS.

If you want to explore other non runflat tires try Cooper. They make a great performance tire that is rated at 40,000 miles. This is not a track type performance, but great for street and highway type driving. I put a set of Copper’s on a Mitz 3000 twin turbo I had and they lasted until I traded it in for my MCS, almost 60,000 miles.

 

Do you mean "Cooper," sndwave? There IS a tire company called Cooper! YAY!!! I have never heard of Copper, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist!

Clover

 

Where do you get the compact spares?

 

You can buy one new from your dealership using a discount from your BMW CCA (car club) membership, or used from an MC owner, or off ebay.com, or order a new discounted one from Classic Auto Campus (NAM sponsor).

I think I saw it purchased by another owner for less than about $50-60.

 

I would use Traction TA VR they are $98 ea. 205/50/16

I have compact spare tires, but no wheels
Alex

 

Thanks Alex,
That one I did not mention since I was looking for lower prices but for not much more only $12 more per tire you get a good performing V rated tire with the same 440 tread wear rating and AA rated traction. If you are not much into performance then the H rated tire can also be OK.