Have to replace the tires on my '02 Mini Cooper. Had Kuhmo Ecsta SPT but want to go to an all-season tire. Any thoughts on the Kuhmo Ecsta AST (KU 25) tires? Any other suggestions?

Can't afford the most expensive tires but want a real good tire. Thanks.

Chris
Dovermini

 

I have Pirelli PZero Nero M+S All season tyres, 215/45 R17. They are great! I have over 30k miles on them now, and they still have great looking tread. Just took them to the Dragon, and they did very well. Also have driven them in the wonderful Indiana snow. I think they run a little over $100 per on tirerack.

 

Some one in Indiana spells them as "tyres"???

 

Sorry, bad habbit, tyre, cheque, grey, it's all good .

 

What size rims do you have?
Do you have the stock suspension?
How much rain or snow do you get or do you use/need any separate snowtires?
How much is your budget?
Do you do any performance driving?
How long is your commute/ miles driven per year?
How much emphasis do you want to place on comfort vs performance vs treadwear?

See post #6 (applies to a 17" wheel but some details will cross over as it applies to All Season tires)
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=101918
Or post #5
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co....php?p=1540198
This one considers snow friendly all season tires but it's good too.

For the MC.
15" stock rims will fit 205/55-15 tires
16" stock rims will fit 205/50-16 ro 205/55-16 tires
H speed rated tires are OK and offer sometimes better value and good treadwear but they are for daily driving and street use, not performance driving like W, Y or Z speed rated tires.

Ultra High Performance, High Performance, and even various touring tires come in All Season variants. If you have no snow then Summer tires can work well in dry or wet conditions. If you have light snow or more then All Season tires would be best but each tire is different in it's ability to handle various degrees of snow. In general if you do have snow you should pick tires that are not overly wide (more options are available with the MINI 15" rim in that case, 195/60, 185/65, 175/65 etc).

Budget constraints can make a big difference so setting limits does help. The MINI is capable of very high performance driving even in stock form, it can handle extremely well with an Ultra High Performance All Season tire. You trade off more performance or reduced ride comfort and reduced treadwear compared to other All Season tires.

 

Thanks Minihune and everyone else that gave your input! To answer the questions that were asked:

I have 17" rims and stock suspension. I commute around 30 miles roundtrip and it's a mixture of highway/city driving. My driving is just ordinary and everyday - no track or "spirited" driving. I can probably afford tires up to the $150 range and we can get all types of weather here in Delaware.

Thanks!

Chris
Dovermini

 

+1 for the pirelli's being a real nice all season tire. I know a mazda3 friend of mine who used to have a summer set of tires and a winter set (kind silly, since we don't have any real winter here in NC, but he works for a tire shop, so mouting/dismounting is free for him) and he ditched them both and runs the Pirelli's all year round now. For reference, he had BFG G-force sports and Khumo ASX's before, and says that the Pirelli's KILL the Kumhos, and give up very little in absolute grip to the BFs.

 

OK, given your 17" rims, fairly limited commute and need for both good street manners/comfort and wide range of weather conditions.

Consider 215/45-17 (much better selection of tires than 205/45-17)
Ultra High Performance All Season tires- much better dry and wet handling and still very good comfort but not as good on wear but you don't drive that much. Maybe after getting these tires you will drive more.

If price were not a factor-
Yokohama Advan S.4. $165 each 400 treadwear W speed rated 24 lbs
Special offer $75 Crutchfield gift certificate
For most drivers (both good choices)-
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $130 400 treadwear W speed rated 25 lbs
Solid street performer
and
Also pretty good overall (not quite as good in snow)
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $122 400 treadwear W speed rated 21 lbs

Contact Alex@tirerack.com for more info

 

What about 16" or 15" all season recommendations? I don't have 17", but am in real need of something. I do occasional HPDEs and the Dragon, but mostly everyday driving.

 

my commute is about the same as yours at 64 miles a day. I'm running these from Edge Racing:
Falken Ziex Ze 512

205/45R17

18.7Lbs.


360 Treadwear

UHPAS


W Rated



They're listed at $75 per tire. Not too bad for an all-season tire. I'm in Northern Ohio so we get our share of snow and they've done fine. At the autocross I was wishing for stickier tires but they make up for that in wear and ride quality... and they're nice and light.

 

Which MINI do you have? MC or MCS, which year?
Stock suspension or any upgrades?
Weather conditions? Rain? How much snow (minimal or light).
How many miles do you commute per day/ per year?
What rims are you currently using?

If you do occasional HPDEs and the Dragon then
Ultra HP All Season tires would probably be the best match.
Better on performance and still good on comfort but a little more on cost and a little less on the treadwear (variations exist between brands).
Consider the Yokohama Advan S.4. in 205/55-16.

In 205/50-16 (UHPAS class)
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $102 400 treadwear W speed rated
Kumho Ecsta ASX $68 420 treadwear W speed rated

In 205/55-16 (UHPAS class) (much better selection of tires)
Yokohama Advan S.4. $129 Low stock! 400 treadwear 22 lbs (special offer $75 Crutchfield gift certificate) W speed rated
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $107 400 treadwear W speed rated
Continental ContiExtremeContact $80 400 treadwear V speed rated
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S $141 400 treadwear Y speed rated
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $103 400 treadwear W speed rated
Avon Tech M550 A/S $80 360 treadwear W speed rated

In 195/60-15 (205/55-15 also possible for some tires) in UHPAS class
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $68 400 treadwear H speed rated
21 pounds 24.2" outer tire diameter
Kumho Ecsta ASX $45 420 treadwear V speed rated
19 pounds 24.2" outer tire diameter

For someone that doesn't really do the performance driving and has 15" wheels whether with an MC or MCS-
In 205/55-15 Grand Touring All Season (none in 16" sizes)
Bridgestone Turanza LS-V $125 closeout price 400 treadwear V speed rated
23 lbs, 24" outer tire diameter.
Test results
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=75

Also in the same class (with many sizes for 15" and 16")
In 195/60-15 Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge $95 440 treadwear H speed rated
23 lbs, 24.2" outer tire diameter.
In 205/50-16 $120 special price 440 treadwear V speed rated
23 lbs, 24.1" outer tire diameter.
205/55-16 $108 special price

The Falken Ziex ZE 512 are good tires for the money but offer more comfort and treadwear for trade off in performance.

 

I have a set of 15" 8-spokes, with OEM Continentals, that I use for winter, but we haven't had much snow and ice for the last few years.

I have an '03 MC and an '06 MCS. The MC has 16" GoodYear OEM runflats that show no sign of wearing out, even after 33k. However, the MCS has 16" OEM Dunlops that are fading fast. I had fixed camber plates and adjustable rear control arms installed and the Dragon took a bite out of my tires before I could get the car aligned.

I show the Cooper, so new tires are not on the high priority list for now, anyway. I've modded the MCS some [but not as much as most people here]. I plan to either use the 15" wheels or the 16" OEM wheels I currently have on the car. The MCS is now my daily driver, so whenever I take it to the Dragon or to an HPDE, what's on the car will be on the car during the twisties or track days and on my way back home again. That's why I thought all season tires might be best. Here in west central Ohio we DO have ice storms and snowfall in the wintertime, which is another reason I'd prefer a good performance all season set of tires.

Thanks for your help.
Jeff

 

OK,

All of the following tires are All season. The tire selection varies with the tire size so you pick the combination that suits you. Any of the tires will work with MC or MCS. I run holeys and stock continental tires with my modded MCS.

MC with 15" 8 Spoke wheels or 16" wheels (see below)
In 195/60-15 in UHPAS class
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $68 400 treadwear H speed rated
21 pounds 24.2" outer tire diameter
Kumho Ecsta ASX $45 420 treadwear V speed rated
19 pounds 24.2" outer tire diameter

In 205/55-15 Grand Touring All Season (none in 16" sizes)
Bridgestone Turanza LS-V $125 closeout price 400 treadwear V speed rated
23 lbs, 24" outer tire diameter.
Test results
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=75

Also in the same class (with many sizes for 15" and 16")
In 195/60-15 Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge $95 440 treadwear H speed rated
23 lbs, 24.2" outer tire diameter.
In 205/50-16 $120 special price 440 treadwear V speed rated
23 lbs, 24.1" outer tire diameter.
205/55-16 $108 special price

MCS with 16" stock wheels
In 205/50-16 (UHPAS class)
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $102 400 treadwear W speed rated
Kumho Ecsta ASX $68 420 treadwear W speed rated

In 205/55-16 (UHPAS class)
Yokohama Advan S.4. $129 Low stock! 400 treadwear 22 lbs (special offer $75 Crutchfield gift certificate) W speed rated
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $107 400 treadwear W speed rated

-------------
So the first thing to think about-
Ultra High Performance AS vs Grand Touring AS. I didn't include the High Performance AS tires because they aren't as good for the money as UHPAS tires.

UHPAS tires are better on performance wet or dry, handle snow, and have good road manners and decently good comfort for daily use. Really a good overall tire. Some are expensive to moderate in price and some will wear down a little faster.

Grand Touring AS are better on comfort and daily driving, can be expensive, usually lasts longer but is not as good on performance.
For an MC or cruiser commuter MCS this would be worth a look.

I mentioned the Bridgestone Turanza LS-V because that is about the only size that is available that will fit the MINI. In the same category with very good ratings and test results is the Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge which comes in sizes good for both MINI 15" and 16" wheels.

For the 15" wheel, the Bridgestone RE960AS and Kumho ASX are both very good value. The RE960AS is a good overall tire that does many thing very well especially good wet handling.

In UHPAS the Yokohama Advan S.4. is probably the best tire overall but costs more unless you want to buy something from Crutchfield anyway.

50 series sidewalls will be slightly stiffer and more responsive than softer and more comfortable 55 or 60 series tires. If your roads are smooth and potholes are few then any of these are will work fine. If roads are often very hazzardous then 55 or 60 series tires will be much better.

I think any of these tires will be good with only slight compromises one way or another. Some offer quite a bit of performance while others quite a bit of comfort or value.

 

Wow!! Thanks VERY much for such a complete rundown! I appreciate the input greatly as it will go a long way in helping me decide which way to go. I think something in an UHPAS will be better for the MCS. I DO enjoy HPDEs a lot...just need to find them in my area without haveing to run all over the country. Driving the MCS daily in Ohio WILL subject it to potholes, too, so I want a tire that will hold up on the track, as well as one that will safely negotiate our [sometimes] rotten roads and varying weather conditions.

Jeff

 

I have one more question. You are using OEM Continentals on your holeys...the 175-65-15" H? Are they squirmy on twisty roads [how do they take curves?]? The set I have is practically new...only about 1000 winter driving miles. I don't suppose they would do well on the track...or would they? Do you feel they would be ok on roads like at the Dragon or maybe at Minis in the Mountains, in Colorado this summer, or would I be taking a chance?

 

I used the continental 175-65-15 summer tires on the Western Dragon at MITH last summer. They are great tires although I worked them a little harder than some others tracking with me with wider tires. They seem to do what they are asked to do but somehow let you know how hard they are working. I've also got a set of the Continental all seasons of the same size which I use for winter tires. They do a fine job in my mild 4 season climate. My third set are 16 inch stock Dunlop all seasons which are fair performance tires and absurd winter tires. They are also run flats and they are also, at last, worn out. Thank God!

 

Now your getting wiser and wonder about the other end of the spectrum of tire classes.

Bottomline is that on one hand you have performance/handling and on the other comfort and longer wearing. Wet vs dry performance can also be independent.

The stock Continental ContitouringContact CH95 is a good example of a basic Grand Touring All Season OEM tire. For the MINI it comes in 175/65-15 for $66 each at tirerack. 360 treadwear H speed rated. 16 lbs.

From tirerack tests-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=40
It provides a quiet and comfortable ride.
I really suffers on the track compared to other tires in it's class and does even worse in the wet. It had good braking distance in the dry, not as good in the wet.

I use it for my daily driver tires and find it to be very comfortable even with a suspension tuned for autocross and performance. When I put on 17x7 rims and 215/45-17 tires the ride quality goes way down but performance on turns goes way up.

It's very easy to drive a MINI at the performance limits of a ContiTouringContact tire. In fact it's a little dangerous to drive hard with them, you have to slow down a bit and read the tires. I've used them for some twisty road driving with a MINI group and I did OK but I was lagging far behind partly on purpose.

Before you give up on Grand Touring All Season tires
see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=GTAS
Check out the Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge
195/55-15 $113 440 treadwear V speed rated 22 lbs 23.4" tire diam
195/60-15 $95 440 treadwear H speed rated 23 lbs 24.2" tire diam
205/60-15 $98 440 treadwear H speed rated 23 lbs 24.7" tire diam

205/50-16 $120 440 treadwear V speed rated 23 lbs 24.1" tire diam
205/55-16 $105 440 treadwear V speed rated 24 lbs 24.9" tire diam

Test results
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=75

A great example of a comfortable street tire with a bit of performance built in. See also Bridgestone Potenza Turanza LS-V (closeout).

 

I just purchased the Kumho Ecsta AST from tirerack.

$300 Shipped plus a $40 rebate when you buy 4 bringing it to $260 shipped

 

OK, I think I'll keep my OEM Continentals and 8-spoke 15s for everyday use on my MCS, but for now [due to economics], will go with Kumho ASX tires for when I go to the track or to the twisties. Is there any difference in having 195-50-16s as compared to 205-50-16s or 205-55-16s? These are 16" OEM wheels.

 

Stock 15" wheels and tires for daily use? Sure, works just fine for me.
I get up to 29 mpg with my MCS using those tires.

Kumho ASX don't come in 205/55-16 but for-
195/50-16 $63 18 lbs 23.7" outer tire diameter
205/50-16 $67 20 lbs 24.1" outer tire diameter

205/55-16 weighs about 22-24 lbs. (varies with each brand) 24.9" outer tire diameter

195mm tires will give lightest weight and least rolling resistance but also least footprint for less traction.

205/50-16 is your best overall size for Kumho ASX. It's slightly smaller than stock size outer tire diameter while 205/55-16 is more comfortable but heavier and has slightly taller outer tire diameter (reduces wheel gap).

 

Again, thanks so much for the easy-to-understand information. Greatly appreciated.

 

A question about the 16" tire sizes and rim sizes:

The 16" size that came on my 07 MCS is 195/55-16, on the OEM rims which are 6.5" wide. I notice that the OEM tire size does not appear in your advice, probably because there is not much available in that size? When I use these up I'm going to look into getting a new wheel tire set for summer, and use the OEM rims with all seasons for the winter.

When I look for new rims I may consider 17s, but right now at least I like the visual proportion of more rubber with the 16s. I see lots of 16" rims in the 7" width, some in 7.5" (very few). Is there any considerations for the tire sizes relative to the rims - 6.5, 7, or 7.5?

I had asked you about the 16" tire sizes in another thread and you responded here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...1&postcount=11

 

195/55-16 is good if you want runflats.

Otherwise 205/50-16 or 205/55-16 gives you more choices.

16x7 is fine, 16x7.5 will also fit if you have the right wheel offset. If you are shopping at tirerack and enter your MINI correctly by model year, body style and date of build then you will be only given rims that will fit without rubbing. This assumes stock suspension.

Using the stock 16x6.5 rims for winter tires is fine.

If you are looking at 17x7 rims then you'll be using 40 or 45 series tires.
If you choose 16x7 rims then you have a "choice" of 50 or 55 series tires and if you really want more performance then 45 series as well.

This makes a big difference to go from 55 series street tires to 40 or 45 series performance tires depending on which tires you choose. Some are more comfortable than others.

As the rim gets wider the tire that you mount will also be wider. 7" rims are OK but as you get to 8" or more then you have to watch to see where you might rub from the inside like a shock, the rear lower trailing arm or rear swaybar to the inside of the rear wheel arch plastic. If you have stock suspension you have more clearance. If you lower your car you will have to be very careful with any outer tire diameter greater than stock or about 24.4".

 

I'm looking at this issue as well, and my last concern since I drive 40 miles each day on the hiway is noise. I have the Kumho ASX's on a Lexus ES 300 and have been very impressed with how smooth and quiet they are, so my question to the poster who said his Pirelli's "kill" the Kumho's for performance is, are they quiet? I had Pirelli 6000's on an Audi and they were noisey...........

 

Noise should be good on the highway. As good as the ASX or better most likely.

You have a bit longer commute and are looking for tires you can live with- quiet, comfortable, yet handle well and last longer. The compromise will either come on price or from higher handling and traction performance- not to say that these aren't good.

If you just compare Ultra HP All Season tires (UHPAS) owner ratings-

Kumho Ecsta ASX
Ride comfort 8.3
Noise comfort 8.2
Treadwear 7.7
11.8 million owner miles

Pirelli PZero Nero M&S
Ride comfort 8.6
Noise comfort 8.5
Treadwear 8.0
14 million owner miles

Slight edge to PZero Nero M&S overall. See tirerack tests head to head comparison of ASX and PZero Nero M&S.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=52
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=52
Real World ride ratings:
Kumho Ecsta ASX
Ride comfort 6.97
Noise comfort 6.86
Handling 7.13
Overall 6.99

Pirelli PZero Nero M&S
Ride comfort 6.85
Noise comfort 7.10
Handling 7.37
Overall 7.11

Some sample sizes for 16" MINI wheels. The price is very different with value going to the ASX.

In 205/50-16 (UHPAS class)
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $102 400 treadwear W speed rated
Kumho Ecsta ASX $68 420 treadwear W speed rated

In 205/55-16 (UHPAS class) (much better selection of tires)
Yokohama Advan S.4. $129 Low stock! 400 treadwear 22 lbs (special offer $75 Crutchfield gift certificate) W speed rated
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $107 400 treadwear W speed rated
Continental ContiExtremeContact $80 400 treadwear V speed rated
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S $141 400 treadwear Y speed rated
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $103 400 treadwear W speed rated

The PZero Nero M&S is a good tire for street use and commuting that is slightly better overall than the value priced ASX (quite good for the price).
In 205/50-16 both are available and solid choices. Can't really go wrong with either.

However for those with ability to use 205/55-16 then
Yokohama Advan S.4. or
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS (of these two, better value and better wet handling and braking)
Are worth a look due to very high comfort/handling rating scores.