Hi everybody.
With only 9 or so days to go until MOTD I am in a bit of a dilemma. My car has 13500 miles and my Yokohama AVS ES 100 17" front tires are well worn. They still have treads but pretty shallow, unlike my backs which are awesome. I know I should have rotated them, but well, I did not.

No the question is should I:

A) Drive as is, and replace the fronts after all the crazy cornering at the Dragon.

B) Put the rear ones on the fron this week.

C) Buy new front ones and replace them this week.


Thanks

Herbert

 

I would pick A or C. The car tends to handle more predictably with the better tires in back, especially if there is any sort of rain/moisture. (A) has the advantage of getting the most out of what you have, leaving the new tires to live an easier street life, (C) is not a bad option, but fresh tires dont necessarily perform the best till you wear them down a bit.

 

I would go with C. You want better rubber on the fronts for sure. Better handling and braking.

 

i'd put new rubber on the front and do a quick burn-out.

 

I'd go to the dragon as is and buy 4 new tires when I was finished. I wouldn't put the better tires on the front since that leaves bald tires on the rear, which are supposed to keep me from the hairy spins that can happen on the cambered curves of the dragon, especially if it's wet. For the next set of tires, I'd rotate to keep from having to make this decision again in another 15,000 miles. I wouldn't buy two new tires because eventually I'd have the exact same problem, and since I like to drive spiritedly, I think a car that handles in a balanced manner is important.

That's what I would do.

mb

 

 

At about the same mileage, my fronts are also almost shot, due to no rotation.

My plan is to buy two new fronts, and when those are gone, switch brands with four new tires.

Don't put your worn fronts on the back, unless you like going over cliffs backwards...

 

I would buy 2 new ones for the front... then rotate every 5K miles..

 

If you do get new tires for the front, make sure you get 300-500 miles on them before you attack the twisties. The lube left on the tires, that manufacturers use so they come out of the molds easier, can really make the handling 'squirmy' until the lube is worn off (and a quick burn out is not proper for tire break-in)

 

I had somewhat the same problem last week - only difference is that I rotated my tires just before AMVIV III (better tires went on the front).

I purchased a set of AVON TECH M550's and, since the fronts still had some tread left on them, I only had them put (2) on the rear.

Now, with KDW2's on the front and M550's on the rear, the car feels like I'm driving with underinflated tires. My DSC light seems to come on at each corner.

I called the tire guy and told him to hold open a bay for me in the morning. Hopefully putting the other (2) new tires on will cure the problem.

You may have better luck than I did with mixed tires.

Tim

 

This is exactly what happens with the Mini when any two different tires are used. It's quite scary and can end up disastrous. I cringe every time I here someone is thinking of doing this.

 

What he said, making sure they are of the same brand, model and size. Tire rotation is key to tire life. I know what MINI recommends, do nothing, but this isn't conducive to long tire life (it does help tire purchasing numbers though). If you're gonna be at MOTD to "enjoy" your car, you owe it to yourself to get new shoes prior to arriving.

Be safe and have fun.

 

My new shoes for the front arrived from tirerack on monday and were installed at lunchtime. I have driven about 100 miles so far on the new shoes and should have about 300 by the time I get to the Dragon.

Thanks for all the advice.

Herbert