Hi all!
My OEM tires on my 2007 S are going bald. They are the Dunlop Run Flats that came standard on the 17" Webspokes. i currently have 33k miles on them.
It is time to find a replacement. The car is a daily driver and i would like it to be more comfortable than it is now. I cringe whenever i go over a bump. I have the standard suspension. Mostly, my driving is done with economy in mind. I will occasionally push the limits of the tires (or maybe MY limits!). I feel that the current tires had more than enough grip but are way too harsh.
I live in San Diego, CA and do not need much weather capacity.
I am considering a non-RF and was thinking about the subject tire. I guess I would like some opinions since these are very pricey and may be more sporty than I need.

 

Pricey tire, you might give the Nitto Neo Gens a look. A good alternative and you save a lot of $$.

Don

 

I can't tell you about the exact tires you mentioned but I've had Pilot Sports on several vettes and other cars.

I literally did not get 12-13K miles on them.

If mileage isn't important, I would suggest Bridgestone RE-11's. They STICK like glue (in fact, even though they are DOT tires, they are my track tires)

Excellent in the dry, excellent in the rain, super quiet and soft but the downside is mileage.

Mark

 

I have 9,000 smooth, quiet, grippy miles on the Pilot Sport A/S PLUS and love this tire. Great turn in, good wet/dry grip and a 45,000 mile treadlife warranty on this type of tire!! They hold their balance very well.

Check out the owner reviews on tirerack.com. Make sure you are looking at the PLUS as the regular Pilot Sport A/S is an entirely differently and inferior tire - don't know why they didn't change the name of the PLUS.

I like these so well that I put a set on my wife's BMW 530 earlier this year.

 

MPAS+ is the best handeling AS tire I sell.

For lower costs (< $120) check out:

Yokohama Avid Envigor

Firestone Firehawk GT

Kumho ASX

 

FWIW....my Minis are too new to need new tires, BUT I ran a set of Pilot Sport Plus on my BMW Z4 and they are excellent, but expensive tires (you get what you pay for...) Grip is outstanding, wet performance is totally acceptable, and they are quieter than the run-flats--they were a HUGE improvement over the run-flats the Z4 came with--in every category (except running while flat :-)

 

I have these on my R32 (225/40R18), they're actually wearing extremely well and except for 2 sidewall failures (I blame it more on the heavy car), they've been great! Nice grip, excellent wet traction, quiet, ect. Only downside is the high price and maybe less dry traction than Star Specs/RE-11/Advan A08's.

 

Thanks everyone! I'll look into all your suggestions.

 

Not to jack your thread but I also have the stock 2007 MCS 17" Dunlop RFTs and needing new tires.

The OEM size is 205/45/17 and what is the widest size tire I can run with the stock rims ?? (it will be on the stock sport suspension and the car will not be dropped)

Thanks!!

 

let us know how these are. i think i'm going with the conti dws a/s myself due to price and actually rated overall as better. alex@tirerack got me interested in them.

 

Took a flyer on the new Yokohama Avid Envigor and love them. Great ride, quiet and good handling.

 

Some people have run 235's, but I think that's pushing it a little. I'd stick to 215's on the stock wheels.

 

Listen to Alex's advice... he's very knowledgeable and always gives great advice.

BTW, I'm running 225's... I think that's the most I'd want to run.


Mark

 

So on stock 17" wheels I should be ok with running either 215/45/17 or 225/45/17? I'm just want the tires to look more flush with the fenders than stock.

 

215/45/17 + A hubcentric 5mm spacer = flushed.

Alex

 

Thanks!!

 

I'm putting a set of these on my Mini this week. $208 each installed at Jack Williams here on the east coast. They have a 45K mile warranty. These will be my first Mich. tires on the Mini, but the stinking Dunlop runflats are shot after less then 10K miles on the front. The tire cost a bit more, but considering you get a warranty, and after you take into account that almost $50 a tire goes towards, mounting, shipping,balancing and environmental fees, I think you get more mile per $ with these then the competition. I have used Mich. on my trucks and they are by far the best tires I have had. Also, you get a $70 rebate right now on 4 tires (woop woop).

 

FYI, the A/S sport is a All Weather version of the Pilot and should last a lot longer then 12K miles. The regular pilots are summer only performance tires and go much quicker. How you got 33K miles out of those Dunlops is beyond me. I can't wait to get these suckers off. Very noisy.

 

The key with the Michelins if you get this tire is the PLUS. It is really confusing as they make a Michelin Pilot A/S and a MIchelin Pilot A/S PLUS. Two entirely different tires.

The PLUS uses Michelin's new triple compound with three different compounds across the face of the tire. One helps in snow, one helps crispness and turn in and one is for wet.

 

AS was the predecessor, superceded by the AS+ which has mostly replaced the older one, except for a few sizes I have stock on the older version 235/55/17 & 275/35/19 - none of which are Mini freindly.

New one


Old one



Alex

 

lsnover:
Wow, thats a great price! out the door for 832? let me know what you think when you get them on....

 

Going on tomorrow AM. Course I have to get my stupid motor mounts replaced now. Hoping to get the TSW mount installed tomorrow too.

 

Got my Pilots put on yesterday. Only got 50 miles or so on them, but it's like having a new suspension. They ride sooo much nicer then the Dunlop Run Flats. I don't flog my Mini, so I can't say they are improved in handling, but I'm sure they are going to last longer, and I don't feel like my teeth are getting jolted on every little bump, so I know I'LL last longer. LOL.

 

For stock 17x7 wheels

Stock tires are 205/45-17 and are the best size to use.

You can also use 215/45-17 which is slightly taller than stock
Or 215/40-17 which is slightly smaller than stock (more wheel gap with stock suspension)

225/45-17 has been tried but not a good choice since it is much taller than stock at about 25". It tends to rub under load and can't fit with a lowered suspension. The tires look large on a MINI.

Note that 40 series tires are stiffer sidewall and can be slightly firmer riding and if your roads are not smooth it would be risky hitting a pothole.

When using 5mm spacers to get a "Flush look" you need to realize that stock wheel bolts are too short to be used since they don't provide enough threads to lock the wheel on securely. You'll likely need to add longer than stock wheel studs and aftermarket wheel nuts, make the studs about 7mm longer than stock.

The flush look you seek is for "appearance" and offers little real improvement for your MINI under normal street driving. You want a hubcentric spacer if you can find one. Spacers add additional cost and weight to your wheel setup but are usually used for clearance for fitment using aftermarket wheels which may not be perfect offset to clear brake calipers or suspension parts.

 

I had the Pilot Sports on a '98 BMW M Roadster. They were great tires, but a bit rough on the seat bottom. As with all Michelins, the handled great, wore great and did very well in the wet and dry. They are pricey though... Since selling the Roadster, I purchased an '05 Cooper S that still had the 205 run flats on it. I opted for the lesser expensive Yokohama Avid Envigors. They seem to ride softer without a compromise to the handling. Although I wished I still had the Beemer to drive as a comparison, I think the Yokos will be just fine.