Okay! I have been reading and reading about what tires I should put on my MCS b/c the Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST runflat 205/45/17 I have suck! The worst ride and road noise! I was wanting a performace tire that has nice ride and not to much road noise..What tirerack reviews say is that the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01Ris the way to go..I was wondering what other people thought.Thanks for your input!

What are you using your MINI for? Street use only? Any track or driving school or autocross?

What is your budget?
What is your weather? Any colder weather less than 35 degrees or any snow?
What is your suspension? Stock shocks and springs- any plans to lower?

All of these are factors that will determine the best match for you.

Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R is comfortable for street use but-
It is an Extreme performance Summer tire, not for cold weather or any snow use. It is particularly good for high speed performance driving under dry or wet conditions such as at the track or autocross. While it can be used on the street the treadwear is from 140 to 180 depending on the tire size. It comes in both 205/45-17 and 215/45-17 and isn't the most cheap tire. Expect it to last about 12 to 15K miles. As it ages the rubber gets harder and may be less comfortable and less quiet.

If you want tires that will last and be comfortable and give up a little handling then consider-
Ultra High Performance All Season tires-
You can use 215/45-17 if you have stock suspension with no plans to lower. The tire is a little taller than stock but it's OK.
Good examples of street tires that are comfortable-
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $155 each 400 treadwear
Yokohama Advan S.4. $172 each 400 treadwear
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...=17&type=UHPAS
A good value-
Yokohama Avid W4S $94 each 400 treadwear

If you like 205/45-17 for best speedometer accuracy,
Then best tire selection is in
Ultra High Performance Summer tires (not for any snow)-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...er=17&type=UHP
General Exclaim UHP $83 each 380 treadwear
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 $124 each 240 treadwear

If you really like the idea of better handling (just more fun) and you don't need an all season tire. But you want the tires to last longer than Extreme Performance tires and you don't do track and driving events then-
In Max Performance Summer tires-
205/45-17
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ter=17&type=MP
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position $159 each 140 treadwear!
Dunlop SP SportMaxx $129 each 240 treadwear
or in 215/45-17
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ter=17&type=MP
Yokohama Advan Sport $177 each 180 treadwear!
Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 $151 each 280 treadwear

What if I have lowered my MINI about 1.25 inches? Can I still use the 215/45/17?

I want something that gives me better handling than my original 205/45/17 Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST runflats
longer tread life and also good for the occasional rain in Southern California.

Your're better off with 215/40-17 and look for
Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD-3.

215/45-17 is taller than stock and you have less clearance so there is higher risk of rubbing depending on your rear negative camber, and your wheel offset and loads.

I am using the Crown spokes and I don't know about the negative camber in my Car. All I know is that it is a 2007 MCS, crown spokes, with 205/45/17 and I lowered it with Mach V springs, which dropped the car 1.25" front and back.

Your priorities-
Longer treadlife
Good handling dry or wet

215/40-17
Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3

If you don't mind 205/45-17 then
In Ultra High Performance Summer tires-
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 $124 each 240 treadwear
General Exclaim UHP- not as good handling but comfortable and long treadwear 380. OK in wet.

And in UHP All Season tires-
Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season $123 each 420 treadwear.
Good handling, slightly firmer ride but good. Longer life.

In this class for slightly smaller tire size of 205/40-17 (23.5" tire diam)
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $172 each 400 treadwear
Good handling, long lasting, good in wet or dry, comfortable for street use.

I lowered my car on the stock 195/55/16 S winders and then a week later, put on 215/40/17s, knowing they were over a half inch smaller. The gap difference in the wheel wells is material--immediately noticeable. I have coils so it's no big deal and I can lower to where I want but if I had a fixed 1.25" drop, I wouldn't be happy with the smaller 215/40 tires.

I would either stick with the 205/45s or take a chance with the 215/45s. I'm one that prefers the look of a little more sidewall on MINIs.

Minihune provided a wealth of information to the OPs question. I'd throw in Toyo T1Rs as another option, unless you need a tire for occasional snow driving. I had them on my S4 and just put them on my MINI. They're a pretty darn good overall performance, wear, noise, and value tire.

[quote=Wolfgang80;2140644]I lowered my car on the stock 195/55/16 S winders and then a week later, put on 215/40/17s, knowing they were over a half inch smaller. The gap difference in the wheel wells is material--immediately noticeable. I have coils so it's no big deal and I can lower to where I want but if I had a fixed 1.25" drop, I wouldn't be happy with the smaller 215/40 tires.

I would either stick with the 205/45s or take a chance with the 215/45s. I'm one that prefers the look of a little more sidewall on MINIs.

quote]

Yes, if you can stick with 205/45-17 then you get the same wheel gap as now. 215/40-17 is smaller tire diameter and more wheel gap but no risk of rubbing.

215/45-17 is possible but you may rub a little, then-
Adjust for more rear negative camber for clearance
Trim the inside plastic wheel arches with a dremmel tool
Seek the smoothest and flattest surfaces to drive with little load

215/45-17 allows for many tire choices including
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS

Stirling needs new shoes b4 the Dragon in 3 weeks. I am seriously looking at Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec as replacements for my OEM run flats. I have had a lot of good experiences with various Dunlop SP Sport tires on Honda Del Sol and Toyota Camry.

Am running stock suspension, have no plans to lower and interested in 215/45R17s. Without lowering there should be no rubbing issues, does anyone have any experience with these? Currently available from TireRack @ $125 with $50 (or Ipod shuffle) rebate on 4.

badump bump

I'm going to recommend Nokian V's. The best summer tire I've ever used in dry or wet.

I have to recommend the Falken FK452 because the price is very nice and the wet and dry traction is great. The tire is very quiet and gives a smooth ride. Tread wear rating is 300 and the tire is considered for summer use.

Leo Barrios
leo@edgeracing.com
800-489-5353 x211
http://www.edgeracing.com

So, do you look at treadwear rating when you are looking for a tire's tread life? Say one with 380 treadwear will last longer than one with 300, if they are used the same way?

Thanks

That would be correct. The only problem is that if you are comparing different brand tires, the tread life may differ depending on how the company performs there tread wear ratings. It is only accurate when comparing tires in the same brand.

Leo Barrios
leo@edgeracing.com
800-489-5353 x211http://www.edgeracing.com

I have the General Exclaim UHP tires on my Civic Si and I like them so much, I plan on getting a set for the wife's Mini. They have a very comfortable ride, they are quiet, have worn very well, handle great in the rain and I even drove a few snow days with them.

How many miles do you have on the General's so far?

And how do the Generals handle?

They handle much better then the Michelin Pilots my Si came with. I've never tracked the car, but I do go for the odd spirited drive out in the country and so far they have impressed me. I've had other cheaper performance tires (Kumho, Falken Ziex) and the Generals are far superior. For a daily driver, I don't think you can go wrong.\

They have about 10,000k's on them and they have yet to show and excessive wear.

As I mentioned, I like them enough to get another set for my MC.

I've been very happy so far with my 215/45/R17 Goodyear F1 GSD3s on Enkei RP03s. (45mm offset)

Very grippy in the dry, excellent in the wet, yet still comfortable over rough roads, and with more reasonable treadwear than extreme performance tires like the RE-01Rs.

Exponentially better in every respect (except snow) than the stock all-season runflats.

I just installed a set of Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec 215/45/17 on a set of SSR Comp wheels today. The ride is awesome..not harsh at all (Koni Yellow Sport/TSW springs) and the performance so far is equally impressive.

\Street Legal Go-Kart

Thanks for the info, that's what I was hoping for. Mine will be on standard 5 spoke bullets when I get them next week.