I asked a while back for advice on 15" summer high performance tires for my MCS - spring isn't too far off so I need to make a final decision and order.

I ran 205/50/15 Yok ES100's on Kosei K1 TS 7" rims last summer - very pleased with the size (gearing advantage very noticeable) and relatively pleased with the tire itself. I had very positive experiences on previous cars with BFG KDW and Potenza RE730. Minihune suggested Goodyear F1 GS-D3 despite the fact that it only come in 195/50/15.

I think the choice is now down to the KDW2 or RE750 in 205/50/15, and the F1 in 195/50/15. I toyed with Toyo T1R in 215/45/50 for the width and further gearing advantage, but the tire doesn't seem to be in the same league as the others. The KDW2 are noisy, but the F1's are narrower. I have to admit an illogical mental resistance (not quite a barrier) to going <200 in width. I know it's just a number - it's the old "size matters" thing

Suggestions? Oh, stock suspension, 100% street use, I'm not willing to give up grip in the wet for even more grip in the dry (e.g. KD's), treadware at least 280, and price <100 per tire.

Thanks in advance,
Eric

 

I'll make it simplier - looking for feedback on following options for 15x7 Kosei's:

Goodyear F1 GS-D3 195/50/15
BFG KDW2 205/50/15
Potenza RE750 205/50/15
Toyo 215/45/15

MCS, stock suspension, 100% street use, have been running Yok Es100 in 205/50/15. Minihune suggest the F1's despite the narrower tread. Alex, your advice?

 

Give Alex a call or email directly for a fast answer.

205/50-15 is good and can be used for daily driving. Yes on the lowering gearing but your speedo error will be slightly higher than your actual speed and you will log slightly more miles on your odometer. Also over the life of the tires you will wear them slightly more. Another consideration is with your stock suspension the wheel gap will be more than stock. With a lowered suspension it's not bad to have smaller tires.

The biggest limitation is the price of <$100.
280 Treadwear is OK in that price range. What about comfort? How long is your commute- how many miles do you log in a year?

195/50-15 isn't bad if you like the smaller tires. What you loose in width you make up for in grip from the GS-D3 rubber and tread design. I have stock 175/65-15 tires on stock 15" rims and I can do quite a bit in daily driving with my modded MCS. Of course if I have 215/40-17 tires on I can do evern more but they are overkill for normal street use.

Goodyear F1 GS-D3 195/50/15 (Max Performance summer tire) $91 each 280 treadwear 19 lbs V speed rated, AA traction, Fits rims 5.5-7" wide 22.7" outer tire diameter

BFG KDW2 205/50/15 (Ultra High Performance summer tire) $99 each 300 treadwear 21 lbs W speed rated, AA traction, Fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide 23.1" outer tire diameter

Potenza RE750 205/50/15 (Ultra High Performance summer tire) $94 each 340 treadwear 21 lbs W speed rated, AA traction, Fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide 22.8" outer tire diameter


Toyo in 215/45/15 gives only Proxes T1r (Max Performance summer tire) $87 each 280 treadwear 17.6 lbs V speed rated, AA traction, Fits rims 7-8" wide 22.8" outer tire diameter

You mentioned High Performance Summer tires but most of these are much much better tires than that class and more expensive. Typically in that price range you will find Ultra High Performance Summer or All Season tires. All Season tires will wear longer and give you more comfort but will give up a little on performance- still very very good given UHP class.

Within UHP summer class and your price range there are:
General Exclaim UHP
(Ultra High Performance summer tire) $61 each 380 treadwear 18 lbs V speed rated, AA traction, Fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide 23" outer tire diameter
BFG g-Force Sport
(Ultra High Performance summer tire) $72 each 340 treadwear 21 lbs V speed rated, AA traction, Fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide 23.1" outer tire diameter
Avon Tech M500
(Ultra High Performance summer tire) $73 each 280 treadwear 20 lbs W speed rated, AA traction, Fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide 23" outer tire diameter

And just higher than your price range, more narrow size and only 240 tread is-
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 (195/55-15)
(Ultra High Performance summer tire) $109 each 240 treadwear 18 lbs V speed rated, A traction, Fits rims 5.5-7" wide 23.4" outer tire diameter

In Ultra High Performance All season
Kumho Ecsta ASX $109 each 420 treadwear 20 lbs W speed rated, AA traction, Fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide 23.1" outer tire diameter
a better UHP all season (V.good wet or dry) would be-
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position in 195/60-15
$70 each 400 treadwear 21 lbs H speed rated, AA traction, Fits rims 5.5-7" wide 24.2" outer tire diameter

In High Performance All season
Bridgestone Potenza G009 $93 each 460 treadwear 21 lbs H speed rated, A traction, Fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide 23.1" outer tire diameter

 

Thanks, Minihune, for your detailed list of the options. I contacted Alex and he "seconded" your recommendation to go with the Goodyears - better grip even though they are 1 cm narrower than the other options. That's what I'll order.
Eric

 

I've driven/owned every tire on your list and love the Yokohama ES-100s... I currently have AD-07s that I imported myself (best street tire I've ever had) mounted on 15" SSRs on my Miata and am waiting for the S-drive to come out in March/May for my Mini's summer tires...too expensive to ship AD-07s all the way to Germany when I can get 2 or more sets of A0-48s for the $$.


Yo Alex: TireRack would make a ton of $$ off me alone if you imported teh AD-07 in Miata/Mini friendly sizes!


FWIW, I also run A0-32s or A0-48s on the track and Hoosiers or Kumhos (whatever I can get a deal on) for Auto-X.

Yes, I've been accused of being a Yokohama pimp but I truly believe they make the best tire for teh $$ for my driving style (fairly aggressive)--I love the "feel" of their tires... Heard great things about teh new Toyos (T1-R) but haven't had a chance to drive them yet.

 

I have Yokohama ES-100s and they tramline on the freeway bad.
Fallowing the groves and ruts on a highway is a major handling issue.
This is a serious black mark in my book for the ES-100s and will not buy them again.

 

My 2cents - I have been running Toyo Proxes tpt 195/60/15, VR speed rating, all-season hperf. from Edgeracing. Last time I looked, the same tire is available in 195/55/15 from them - about $75 or $80 per, I believe. The tires have been great - not just from the handling standpoint, but quiet, good ride characteristics, etc. If you want higher-performance and can go the extra bucks, I'd go 195/55/15 in the Michelin PE2s. If you want all season capability and a bit lower price, I really recommend the Toyos.

 

The problem is that Yoko won't spend the money to get them DOT approved from what I understand, which is why nobody will carry them... I, too, would LOVE to have AD-07's in a MINI friendly size (and they DO exist!).

 

I brought my own over in the back of my jet last time I was over there...now I'm in Germany so I guess it's time to look at Fulda tires!

 

I would like to tag along to this thread. I am considering the same options for my (soon to be) 15x7 Konig Rewinds. My MCS is my daily driver, but I plan on taking it to 4-5 track days, so I want a UHP tire.

I was leaning towards the KDW2 in 205/55/15 (to stay closer to stock size). Can anybody else back up the comment of being noisy?

I really wanted the F1 GS-D3 but 195/50/15 is so far away from stock size. Also, the F1 only has a service rating of 83V, where the stock MCS has a 87V. Dose anybody know what is required for a MCS?

I have looked at just about every tire manufacturer that has option in 15s and the rest all start looking the same. So if anyone else has other opinions I would appreciate them.

 

FWIW,
I just ordered and received a set of KDW2's 205/55/15 for my non s. I also just installed adj camper plates, a Miltek exhaust and a rear sway bar. In fact, the ice and snow was falling on my way home from Helix in Phila. Got a front and rear alignment the next day. As of this writting, I have yet to try it out. Roads are terrible in Delaware. Can't say how anything works or sounds (except the exhaust- very nice), but the tires sure look cool.

 

Note- Many good reviews on Tire rack on KDW2. Several mention the expected noise was a non factor. The noise rating from the surveys put them at "very good".

 

Cube, Alex's advice re: the load rating was simply to run with 36 PSI. I can vouch for having run 205/50/15 without any issues in terms of insufficient sidewall. And I live in a region that is frozen 4 months of the year - lots of pot holes and frost heaves. The extra gearing advantage is enough of a gain that I don't intend to go back to stock sizing.

By the way, Alex's rating of the tire choices I asked about was: F1's first, RE750's second, ES100's third, and KDW2's fourth.

I had KDW's on a previous car. Note, KDW's, not KDW2's - BFG changed the tread pattern completely. They were kind of noisy, but primarily at slow speeds (e.g. slowing to a stop). If the noise with the KDW2's is at all similar to the KDW's, then it wasn't enough that it would keep me from getting them again if they had a performance advantage.

Too bad the F1's don't come a little wider in 15's - shame to leave room for extra rubber "on the table". But the consensus seems to be that that the 5% loss in width is more than made up in superior tread/compound.

 

Thanks for the info minifox2. After talking with Way Motor Works, I may just end up going 16x7s Panasports or ASAs with F1s so I can install a BBK. It is the more expensive route, but in the end it will probably be better for the track days I have planned.

 

It's one month later and Tirerack (and others) are still out of stock on the F1's in 195/50/15 due to strike at Goodyear. Actually I've been having second thoughts anyway due to the low load rating. I can go with "next best" in 205/50/15, or bite the bullet and move up to 16" where F1's and other premium tires do exist though at much higher prices.

Before I give up on 15", any thoughts on Fuzion ZRi (almost identical to RE750 in test results and a lot cheaper) vs. Toyo T1R vs. Yok ES100 (what I have now) vs. KDW2?

 

FWIW minifox2:

I bit the bullit and went with 205/50/16 F1s on ASA JH6 rims from tirerack. I love the Goodyears, and tirerack delivered them in 3 days mounted and balanced.

I spent more than I wanted to, but I was convinced to 16" wheels so I can upgrade to a big brake kit.

 

I'd love to but the manufacture wasn't too motivated to have them DOT certified, I'd guess to to cost.

I'd love to have a nice set 16 myself.

Alex

 

The 205/50-16 Goodyears should do fine. Enjoy. Keep the tire pressures checked for best results.

They aren't cheap the realize that the MINI is not your normal car. On a MINIvan or SUV Goodyear F1 GS-D3s are not well suited but on a performance car they are the bomb.

Add a big brake kit and you're set for driving school. Just be careful of the drivers around and in back of you that don't have a MINI shod with GS-D3 tires and superior brakes. Drive defensively and safely.