Just bought an '03 S, and, after the third storm up here in the NY burbs, I ordered Blizzaks for the 16 inch wheels. Should have them on very soon, at least by Saturday. So.....My question is, what tire should I buy for the other eight months out of the year? I was pretty happy with the original (yes, original - the thing only had 15000 miles on it) Dunlop 6000 (?) run flats on it for all conditions besides snow, except, of course, the fact that they were (are) run flats. Very nice wet traction. I'm wondering if I really need an "all season" design, since I will have the snows on from December to late March. But, I don't want some gonzo race tire that will freak me out in the wet and turn to shreads in 15000 miles. My girlfriend has a Miata, which is quite a handful in bad weather, and we put Yokohama Avids on it last year (a model they don't make anymore, but very similar tread to the ENvigor) and it was a very nice all around improvement for an everyday car. But, I'm thinking that I don't have to play it so safe and be a little bolder with the front drive Mini.

What say you all? What's a good value that will make me smile when I go fast, even when it rains?

Oh, btw, I'm sticking with 16 inch wheels. the 17 inch low profiles are asking for it in pothole land around here. The Miata has been through four wheels in 75000 miles.

Thanks.

 

I run Bridgestone Potenza Grids. These tires perform well in all seasons, ride well, handle well and are not too noisy IMO. http://bit.ly/d5qTZw

 

There have been several similar questions posted recently. The summer versus A/S tire question is a poser because we tend to want the best traction for whatever conditions we're driving in. The fact that you'll already have a set of winter tires doesn't make the answer any easier, but it would make a summer tire choice seem more reasonable than it might otherwise be. You might ask yourself how important it is to have maximum dry grip in the summer versus better grip in the wetter/cooler weather before the snow flies. I have one car that stays on Extreme Performance summers all year. I never get out in snow with them, but they don't even like cold weather.

Almost new non-run-flat A/S Bridgestone Potenza Grids were on our MINI when we bought it used. I consider them to be good tires, but, based on the Tire Rack information I've read, would not have chosen them over several other tires in the same category.

I can't really answer for you, but, with a set of dedicated winter tires, I'd be very tempted to get a set of summer tires in Tire Rack's Maximum, or even Extreme, Performance category. I think I'd be able to appreciate the extra grip during nice weather.