Well that time is almost here. Run flats are gettin real thin in the front two and the back two have damage. One from a nail that was patched and one from a nail thats still in there.

So I have a 05 MCS with 16" stock wheels. What tires should I get? I don't really like the idea of no spare but cost is gonna keep me away from the runflats. I have always been a pirelli and a yokahama fan but I want the best performence vs tread wear that I can get for the buck.

Dunlop SP Sport 3000A DSST $131
Dunlop SP Sport 3000A DSST $159
Dunlop SP Sport 5000A DSST $149
Firestone Firehawk GTA 02 $78

Prices are each from tirerack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...peed_rating=ZR

 

I noticed you said you liked Yokohama's. I ditched the 16" runflats on my MCS for a set of 205/50/16 Yokohama AVS ES100's. My first set lasted me 22,000 miles with rotations every 5,000 miles. They are very good tires for the MINI. Especially in the rain. Granted you do loose the runflat feature but a good 12volt air compressor, tire plugs and fix-a-flat fit nicely in the boot.

 

As far as the Dunlops go, I just replaced my 5000A (fronts only) after 20,000 miles. I made some comment at Discount Tire about having to get the 5000A instead of the 3000A because the 5000A must be better since it has a higher number.

The tire guy corrected me and said the 3000A is actually sportier, and would probably have half the tread life of the 5000A. Considering the 5000A only lasted 20K miles, I would stay about from the 3000A.

 

That is correct. The 5000A is an all-season tire, the 3000A is a Sport/summer tire. My MC with 16" run-flats has the 3000A tires. They essentially have the same tread design, but the 5000A has more sipes to bite at snow and whatnot. Might be a different compound, but the tread design is similar..

As well, I have 18K on my MC after 1 1/2 years. The fronts are almost gone, but I did not rotate. I also have a nail in one of the rear tires, and I didn't rotate because of it. That 18K is not 100% time on those tires either since I bought winter tires. And Cleveland had a really long winter last year as well, so I figure I got maybe 8-9K on them. I'm a little miffed about not getting good life out of them, but it gives me an excuse to buy new non-runflats next spring. But...I do have a spare tire, which eases that decision.

 

If you want to go back with the stock run-flats, I will have a set of new take offs with about 20 miles that I would sell for $100.00 each freight included in the US except AK and HI. It will probably be mid Oct. before my 06 shows up, so you may not be able to wait.

 

I would seriously consider the Goodyear F1 G3-DS from the Tire Rack. Buy the 205-50 16 size, $119 each with a $75 gas card as a promotion. You will not regreat getting rid of the run-flats, the ride is soooo much better with regular tires. Just buy the compressor kit that was mentioned previously. I currently have the Bridgestone S-03's, but they are now $159 each to replace. I will probably get the Goodyears by the end of the year. The Yoko's are not bad, I had them on my wife's 323i. A good tire for the price, but not great IMHO.

 

You might want to check into the over all circumference of the tires. Same size tires are not same size circumference, and speedometer, odometer, engine rpms at a given speed will vary.

I am leaning towards the Toyo Proxes T1R to replace my 16” run flats

 

I replaced my Dunlap runflats with Pirelli P Zero Nero's... couldn't be happier! Got them from Tire Rack. I had one of the old tires mounted on a steel rim wich sits in my garage... I toss it into the boot for longish trips.