I am looking for a set of new tires for my 16" x-lites. I am considering ditching the runflats and would like some opinions on tires and tire sizes. I don't currently do any autocrossing, just alot of spirited city driving. It rains alot in Florida, so i need an all-season tire. I would like to keep the diameter about the same so the speedometer remains somewhat accurate.
Thanks for your opinions!

 

I don't think you need all-season as they are designed to handle light snow. I would suggest summer tires to handle the rain the best. There are a few threads in this forum that discuss handling, wear and traction.

I have the R84 as well and ditched the runflats for Falken ziex 512 mostly due to cost...about $70 each. They handle ok but the fronts seem to wear a lot quicker than the rears

I would purchase them again but may try something new.

 

Any tire on a MINI will do that thanks to the weight distribution. Just gotta keep rotating them.

 

the driver's side is scrubbed more than the passenger, too...

I also remember a thread mentioning NOT rotating tires but burn off the fronts, move the rears to the front and put new tires on the rear as they need the most traction to keep the tail from coming around...

it also saves the cost of not buying four tires at once...just two

 

BFG g-force KDW are good wet and dry. I put mine on early and ever drove in one snow storm, they did great.

 

The fronts do the accelerating, braking, and turning and the Mini is front weight biased and heavier on the drivers side and set up for understeer, so pushes the front before the back will come around. The back tires hold up the backend and are just pulled along for the ride. This is why the fronts wear faster. Rotate your tires often and keep the ones with the most tread on the front. I have BFG Sports in 205/50/16 and really like them.

 

All season tires in 205/55-16 should work fine, last longer and provide comfort and enough grip. Rotating tires does help them wear more evenly- every 4000-5000 miles is fine.

Check at tirerack.com for the selection in that size:
(Ultra High Perf All season tire class)
Avon Tech M550 A/S $80 each
BFG G-force TA KDWS $98 each
Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS $122 each
Kumho Ecsta ASX $67 each
Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S $109 each

(High Perf All season tire class)
BFG Traction T/A V $99 each
Bridgestone Potenza G009 $94 each

205/50-16 is slightly smaller tire diameter than stock and will work.
Call Alex@tirerack.com if you have questions.

 

U dont need all seasons.
I'm liking my toyos so far, and the Goodyear GS D3 are highly recommended too!

 

Thinking about these:

BFG g-Force T/A KDW-2
Goodyear GS D3
Kumho Ecsta MX
Kuhmo Ecsta SPT

any experience with any of these?

 

I Decided that I didn't want to spend quite this much on a set of tires, so I have a new set of tires in the $70-$80 range to ask your opinions on.

BFG G-Force Sport - Least sporty looking, but highly rated
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 - Don't know anything about these
Dunlop SP Sport FM901 - Low Tire Rack rating, but cool looking
Kumho ECSTA SPT - Seems pretty good overall
Yokohama AVS ES100 - Leaning away from this one due to noise