Has anyone tried Cooper Tires, specifically the Xeon High Performance model? The treadwear is 400 which is pretty good for a low profile performance tire. My local tire dealer quoted $578 installed with road hazard warranty.

 

The model i am asking about is the Cooper Zeon 2XS.

 

My last two sets have been the Cooper Zeon 2XS, it is a excellent wet or dry tire. Make sure you maintain a proper alignment and rotate them on a regular basis.
They have a super stiff sidewall, this was put to the test one night after I left the shop where I work on my car. I ran over a pop rivet, tire light came on about half way home. I stopped to check the pressures, one had 15psi. I put air in it and was able to drive to a store that was open(Sunday night about 9pm) to get a can of fix-a-flat. There was no damage to the rim or tire.

On the dragon two years ago in the pouring rain...

...car stuck like glue. It didn't even feel like the road was wet.

 

That's about $144 each tire mounted with road hazzard.
Value of each tire is about $75 to 95 each depending on your size.

205/45-17 is about $92-97 each on the internet.
You can show your local place this-
http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse...._2XS_Tires.cfm
And ask for the basic tires to be price matched then you pay the normal mounting balancing and road hazzard fee. You might improve the price a little. Your leverage is you are doing all four.

If you want to buy locally and want the road hazzard warranty then it's OK for a value oriented Ultra HP Summer tire, 280 treadwear.

Which MINI do you have?
What tire size did you need?
Any snow in your area for these tires?
What is your budget?
Do you have stock suspension?
What is your priority in order of importance: Handling, dry or wet traction and handling, comfort, low noise, long treadwear, budget?

For under $100 per tire plus shipping mounting and balancing there are many options in-

Ultra High Performance summer tires or UHP All Season tires (these last longer and sometimes are more comfortable but might handle a little less crisply).

Tirerack.com and edgeracing.com have many tires to choose from in many tire classes.

For a value oriented stock sized tire-
http://edgeracing.com/tire/5560/ (contact Leo)
Falken Ziex Ze-912 Ultra HP All Season tire 205/45-17
$76 each, 360 treadwear
Compared to Zeon 2XS the 912s are more comfortable, work fine in wet or dry, have longer treadwear, are a good choice for daily street driving, and offer a better value. Maybe a little less responsive for handling.

At tirerack.com (email or talk to Alex)
In 205/45-17 for non runflats-
In Ultra HP Summer tires:
General Exclaim UHP $83 each 380 treadwear W speed rated
(Good value street tire with more comfort but not as crisp on handling vs other UHP Summer tires but reasonable good)
BF Goodrich g-Force Sport $111 each 340 treadwear W speed rated
Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport $109 each 340 treadwear W speed rated
(Both above are new models, likely handle well. moderately good comfort, longer treadlife than 2XS but higher prices)

In UHP All Season tires:
Avon Tech M550 A/S $92 each 360 treadwear W speed rated
(Good street tire, a little longer wearing than the 2XS)

In High Perf All Season tires:
Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid $100 each $50 reward card, 400 treadwear V speed rated
Kumho Ecsta AST $67 each 400 treadwear H speed rated

 

minihune knows his tires!
Dude, your posts are second to none on tires.

One other thing I forgot in my first post, you definitely should have a set of cold weather wheels/tires.
If it's really cold, the Coopers feel square until they warm up.