I'd been wondering how these Pirelli Euphorias would perform in the heavy wet weather we get, and now I have my answer: poorly.

The run-flats are okay - I don't mind the stiff side-wall and hence harsher ride - but I probably could get a better tire for the money if I went with something other than run-flats and threw a can of flat-fix and a AAA card in the boot.

I've looked through the Tire Rack site and even in non-run-flat I don't seem to have a lot of options (Kumho ECSTA, Goodyear Eagles and Avon Tech M550) in 205/45-17. So, those of you who live in the rainy and cool places, what tires are you running on? I've had Goodyear Eagles before and thought them on the over-rated side, especially for the price. Did you go to a different profile tire? I'm not thrilled about the idea of going below a 45.

 

go 215/45/17 and you'll have a lot of choices...including my favorite, AvidH4's for all seasons.

now if they have Pilots a/s in that size, that would be 10x better.

 

I don't get as much rain down here as your do up in Beerland, uh I mean Portland, but I love my Avon Tech M550. From my limited driving in wet weather with them, they provided outstanding traction (and they are pretty good in the dry stuff too).

 

I'm running Kumho ECSTA ASX tires in 205-50-16 size. They have been great in the rain. Very quiet too. I know these tires come in a 17" size too. Call Alex at Tire Rack & he'll set you up with the propper size for your car.

 

Ditto on the Kumho ASX. I'm running a 215/40-17 for my winter tires here in Salt Lake City. I've gone through a couple of sets, and for the price, they work perfectly!

I like the shorter profile which gives me a sharper turn-in. A bit of a compromise on the ride quality, but I don't mind feeling the road through my tush.

 

Avon tech

 

I am in Portland, and I am running BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW NT 215/45R-17
I got them at America's Tire who will treat you much better than Les Schwab. This is my 2nd set of them, and I ran them on my BMW before the Mini. Great tires, and they last about 30k miles depending on driving. As for rain, there is nothing I have found that works better. The only issue I have with them is that the little nubby things that come out from the molds tend to pinch between the wall of the tire and the rim. Make sure they address this on install, and you will be all right. Also, when you initially call them, tell them you are looking at tires from other stores, and they will become suprisingly negotiable!

 

i'm in love with my Toyo Proxes 4. Yokohama Avid H4 are great too. good luck

 

haven't had 17s on my mini, but had very good experience with Pirelli Pzero Neros M&S 225/45/17 on my audi

 

I've had both of those sets, and they are great tires until you hit winter rain in Portland. The BF Goodrich tires I posted earlier are the only ones I haven't hydroplaned with here. I will say that I liked the Yokos over the Toyos. They were a little more grippy in all weather.

 

Goodyear GSD-3
215/45/17

The best in the rain and dry! Check Tire Rack for results along with Car and Driver...

I have had many tires and these are the best in the rain period !

 

Ditto on the proxes 4, you can get them in 205/45/17 or 215/45/17 if you want a little more rim protection

 

second on the goodyear Fi GsD3. Awesome tire - had 'em in a 215/45/17 on my old Masdaspeed Protege. Quiet, predictable, almost unbelievable good in rain.

 

215/45/17 Proxes 4's Love 'em

 

If you're not driving in snow = Kumho SPT
If you get a little snow = Kumho ASX

Both are great buy for the $$$

 

Has everyone gone away from run flats? I am really looking for the same answers. I appreciate this forum. I'm taking notes and writing down these options. I have 17" Dunlop Run flats and have hydroplaned already. Will be replacing with all seasons, for light snow and lots of winter rain.

 

Best set of all seasons I've ever owned by far.

 

I have the Avon's on the Mini and the Kumho ASX's on the G35 and both are great tires. The Kumho's seem a little more 'squishy' and quieter which could either be the car or the tire themselves (the G35 has 18" wheels and 245-40-18 front and 255-45-18 rears). They both seems about the same in rain, though neither seems as sure footed as the Pilot Sports that were on the G35 when I got it. As far as snow goes, the ASX's are pretty decent since i could hardly move with the Pilots, and not I can barely get around. I haven't driven the Mini in the snow yet though to let you know.

Basically, if you are leaving it up to these tires, I would more or less just go by price at that point, they are both excellent all seasons...

 

Avons, great tire. had to get rid of the run flats, too harsh a ride. Have a couple of cans of fix a flat, a tire repair kit and a cheap 12 v compressor, just in case.

 

I've only had the Yok AVID H4, Falken Ziex, and the Toyo Proxes 4 and IMO the Proxes are far superior in the rain.

 

I put the BF Goodrich g-Force KDW2's on my MINI, and it changed the whole dynamic of the car.

They are VERY superior to any tire I have ever had, wet traction is nary discernable from dry.

Link: http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/tires.jsp&tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+T%2FA+KDW+2

-B

 

Let us know when they start 'howling' on the road.

 

Howling??

Did I miss something?

25,000 miles on them and no "howling" or any other (loud or irregular) road noise whatsover....

-B

 

Quick update - I asked about this back in September, and in October I purchased a set of 215-45-17 Kumho ECSTA ASX tires. The total, including mounting and balancing (and tax), ran just under $400. These have been great tires, especially for the money - we've had torrential rain, ice, more snow than normal and the tires have been great. The switch away from run flats makes a less harsh ride with much less kickback from road bumps and much less tendency to follow road ruts.

I have had two flat tires (thank you %$#@ construction workers down the street!), but neither were catastrophic, just slow leaks. I now carry a AAA card, a patch kit, a compressor and a can of flat fix (which the tire shop guys begged me never to use, lol....)

 

MMS1, Are you satisfied with the handling of the Kumho ASX's? Some say you give up a little with that tire compared to other (more expensive) brands.