Hello everybody,

I need to know what brand tires have stiffer sidewalls.


I am preparing to get a new set of summer tires for my MINI. I had a set of 17's with 45 series runflats from the factory and then went to 185/65-15's for winter and boy do they wobble. I really miss the turn in response of the 17's even though (unbelievably enough) I think the winter tires grip as well with less drama. Anayway, I am planning to get a set of 16's for my new rims this summer and was wondering what tires tend to have stiffer sidewalls so I can get some of my turn in back.

Thanks,
Erik

 

Kumho MX, Bridgestone RE01R, Dunlop Direzza Z1, Toyo T1R, among others. Generally speaking, the tires with a higher load rating and higher weight will have stiffer sidewalls. The survey data on Tire Rack is useful here too. Anything with moderate ride quality and excellent handling will generally have great turn-in.

Keep in mind...there is no magic pill here - ride comfort and handling/turn-in are generally opposing design goals.

 

I'm running 205/55/16 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 and while smoother riding than the OE GY run flats, they seem to have the same good handling characteristics and relatively stiff sidewalls. You need to drill down in the Tirerack reviews to see how tires really rate for your car. I wouldn't expect the same performance from the same tires on the MINI that I run on my 500SL. The Michelins were middle of the pack overall but had very good reviews from MINI owners. I agree with them.

 

those are A/S though right? The OP has a winter set...no reason not to run summer tires on the second set...better in the rain than A/S and the performance benefit is tangible. Michelin makes nice stuff but you pay a premium for it compared to the Japanese companies.

 

The HX MXM4's are A/S and have the typical Michelin deeply siped tread. I prefer the Michelin A/S tires for that reason on all my vehicles. I want the full performance of the tire throughout its tread life. It's a more costly and precise manufacturing process to cut the sipes all the way through to the base of the tread. When many other brands are 50% worn, the traction sipes have disappeared and wet traction decreases and road noise increases. If cost were a big consideration, I'd go with Khumo's or Continental's based on my son's experience with them on a Mercedes 190E 2.6 but I wouldn't expect to have the same crisp handling and full treadwear.

 

that's fine, but the OP is not looking for A/S

 

You can also run slightly smaller sidewalls on the 16 to make them lower profile like the tires on the 17's. That will stiffen them up a bit and provide you with the turn in that you miss.

 

thats what i do, 205/45R16
with f1 gs-d3 (tho these tires are pretty soft and prolly not what you are looking for)

 

Thanks everybody for the help. It is true that I am not necessarily looking for all-seasons since I have winters. I have thought about a set of 215/45-16's but I am not planning on lowering and I am afraid that the gap would look excessive. I was thinking of the Z1 but the tread wear was only 200. Does anyone know how the sidewall is on the the G-Force sport? I heard lots of good things about them.

Thanks again,
Erik