Hi guys,

Well, it's about time for me to upgrade the tires on my MINI. I have 15x7 SSR Comps and the current tires (which came from the previous owner of the wheels) are Toyo T1S in 205/55/15.

I'm trying to decide on what tires to get but haven't been involved in the scene much lately and am having trouble thinking of what would be good. I like the Toyo's just fine, would be happy for another set of those, or something comparable/better. I live in California so high-performance summer tires are just fine all year round. That being said, some very basic rain abilities would be good, but I'm more concerned with dry performance.

Additionally, I autocross the car through the local BMWCCA group occasionally, so I want to keep within their limits. I haven't looked at the requirements lately, but as I remember it, the 205/55/15 were no problem, and I might have even been allowed to go slightly wider, but I don't think I need to.

Any suggestions? Thanks folks!

-mike

 

bump.

 

Do a little research with the search function on NAM or just go to tirerack and look at the ratings/reviews for max performance summer tires. From what i have read, Falkin Azenis, Yoko AVS ES100, Goodyear GS-D3 are all good choices I just don't know if they are come in 15 inch size.

 

I recommend the 205/50/15 size of Hankook or Falken Azenis. I've autocrossed and done track days with both. Absolutely the best value for great performance.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...59&rd=15&ar=50

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...01&rd=15&ar=50

Alan

 

Mike,
OK you have SSR comps in 15x7 and you use your MINI mostly for street driving and want good traction in the dry and some light rain for california. You do some autocross with BMWCCA in your area. (Always check the rules for your local autocross for requirements on tires within your class).

205/50-15 will fit just fine but the outer tire diameter will be much smaller than the stock sized 205/55-15 which means the tire will look smaller and the speedo will read a higher than accurate speed. I run 205/50-15 on stock holeys on the street all the time. You may also wear them out a little faster as well.

Hankook Ventus Rs2 Z212 in 205/50-15 costs about $75 each with 200 treadwear rating and weighs 19.5 pounds. Falken Azenis Rt615 in the same size costs about $78 each with 200 treadwear rating and weighs 21.2 pounds.

Toyo Proxes T1S in 205/55-15 costs about $69 each (low stock) with 280 treadwear rating and weighs 18.9 pounds. The newer and replacement (for the T1S) Toyo T1R about $99 each with 280 treadwear rating and weighs 18.9 pounds.

None of these tires are available through tirerack.com so for other great street tires that will give better street performance, last longer, ride smoothly, etc... give alex@tirerack.com a call.

If you don't mind the higher price the Goodyear eagle F1 GS-D3 and Bridgestone Potenza S-03 were good for the MINI but not available in 205/55-15. I have the S-03 now and it works well. Both Goodyear and Bridgestone are coming out with new tires. I'd recommend staying with the 205/55-15 size for now since you are doing mostly street driving. 205/50-15 is fine for a dedicated autocross tire. Wider than 205 with a 15x7 rim would mean looking at 225/50-15 -limited selection (includes Toyo T1S and T1R) compared to 205/55-15- or 225/45-15 (smaller than stock tire diameter- only competition tires)

From tirerack in 205/55-15
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...=6&RunFlat=All

(Ultra HP summer tires)
Yokohama AVS ES100 $79 each 280 treadwear 21 pounds (avail in 225/50-15)
BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW2 $103 each 300 treadwear 22 pounds
Bridgestone Potenza RE750 $100 each 340 treadwear 22 pounds
Kumho Ecsta SPT $64 each 340 treadwear 21 pounds

From tirerack in 205/50-15
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...10&RunFlat=All
(Extreme performance summer tires)
BF Goodrich G-Force T/A KD $131 each 200 treadwear 21 pounds (avail in 225/50-15)
Kumho Ecsta MX $74 each 220 treadwear 19 pounds
(Max Perf Summer tire)
Bridgestone Potenza S-03 $141 each 220 treadwear 22 pounds
(Ultra HP summer tires)
Avon Tech M500 $73 each 280 treadwear 20 pounds

Also in 225/50-15
(Ultra HP Summer tire)
Yokohama A022A $170 each 120 treadwear 23 pounds

 

I would have liked to get the Goodyear, but in 15" the GS-D3 is available only in 195/50-15 (too small at 22.7" diameter). I also have SSR Comp 15x7 and have been happy with the Michelin Exalto PE2 in 205/55-15.

 

I really like the Michelin Pilot Exaltos on my Mini S cab. I've had the Pilot Sport IIs and SO3s on my 3 and 7 series BMWs and have liked both, but the Michelins have given much better lifespan and better performance throughout the life.

 

Falken has a RT-615 225/50/15 coming out in November.

 

I also have SSR Comp 15x7 and have been using the Michelin Exalto PE2 in 205/55-15.

They are very sticky for a conventional-looking tread, but without rotating them, the fronts are down to the wear-bar after 13K miles on my `05 S.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. I decided to go with 205/55-15 Toyo T1-R's to be installed by a local shop tomorrow. The Exaltos were a bit pricier than I wanted to spend, especially since most of the extra cost seemed to be for better wet traction, which is not too important to me (I drive very cautiously in the rain). I was tempted by the Yokohama AVS tires but read a couple of bad reviews and decided to stick with the T1-R's, which, if anything like their predecessors, should be very satisfactory.

Thanks again!

-mike

 

Just for another data point, I'm running 225/50/15 Yokohama AVS ES100s on Konig Rewinds (15x7). I've done about 8,000 miles on the street and two track weekends (4 days total, probably around 350-400 miles of aggressive track driving). They're noisy, but fairly inexpensive and I've been pretty happy with them. That being said, I ran at Gateway this weekend with the Phil Wicks school in the expert group and absolutely baked the front tires. I'm fairly certain I could have preserved them a little by knowing more about tire pressures, but the stock suspension setup of my car probably contributed to excessive wear on the 1/2-mile or so of the oval we ran.

I love the look of the 225s, but 225/50/15 is kind of a hard size to find and I may go to 205s at some point.

 

Just a question to clarify the mud.

205/50's will fit on a 15x7's? with out clearance complications?

 

Yes. I'm running that exact combination, as is RallyMINI.

In my case: 205/50 R15 Falken RT-615's on 15x7 Konig Rewinds. No clearance problems what so ever.

 

I'm on it. Looking at some Falken wheels to put them on Found a set @ 11 lbs for $95 each

 

curious because i am checking on tirerack.com and for their 15x7 wheelsets, their recommended tire is 195/60-15 for this wheel size and width. where do you see 205/50-15?

 

You can put on any tire size that fits-

For 15x7 you have lots of options.

205/50-15
205/55-15
225/45-15

Call Alex@tirerack.com to find out more.