I ma looking for some advice on new tires. Here is what I am looking for.

Non runflat Summer tire with good performance and longevity and low noise. I do mostly highway driving and some twisties for fun on the way home. I don't want to spend a fortune but I also don't want to go bargain basement and get sloppty handling. I have Michelin Pilot Plus A/S on right now but they are getting to the end of thir life and want to have someting new on when I go to the dragon.

I looked at Yokohoma S.Drives. Hancocks, nd Bridgestene Potenza. Any opinions and help with choices would be appreciated! Thanks

 

I thought the Yoko S.Drives were good tires. Good grip throughout their life. But, I found really bad noise set in starting about 18k miles (and by 21-22k miles, people though something was wrong with my MINI is was so loud).

Currently running Conti ExtremeContact DW. Liking them as well. Finally got to really push on them this weekend and felt they did an excellent job. Currently about 15k miles on them and worn through about 3 to 4/32s of the tread.

 

Maybe you would like to include Toyo on your list...
great handling in water; a little hard but very reliable & they last a lot of kms....

hackoc are soft, reliable and good price vs kilometers till worn ...

mine is riding on dunlop ... hope they still last a lot!

 

i am going with the Conti DW's as my next street tire. Price is just to good to not just try them.

 

I had Hankook Ventus on my car last year. I loved them, especially for the price. They didn't seem like a cheap tire at all.

 

I have the S.Drives, just for 2000km or so now. They are relatively noisy already, which isn't a concern for me but if that's high on your priority list I would look elsewhere. They do handle nicely though.

 

I have had the Bridgestone Potenzas for 20k miles now, and they are maybe half done. I like them a lot. I paid about $600 out the door at my local tire shop/garage, and they used nitrogen in them for no extra charge (I asked). I keep about 38 lbs in them front and rear. They ride way better than the stock 17" runflats that came on the car (and lasted <30k miles).

 

I'm also on Conti Extreme Contact DW. Liking them very much. I haven't put too many miles on them, but they are quiet, comfortable and stick like crazy. What sold me on these was Tireracks test. The Conti's came out on top and they are reasonably priced

 

This is one of the most important part of your vehicle and needs to replaced the same through out the life. choice is depends on the what kind of performance you want and depends on how you drive. Tire dealer is the person who deals with these kind of issues on daily basis so consult them for greater choice.

 

My vote goes for the Conti ExtremeContact DW tires, I may be biased as these are what I use. I was sold on them after seeing Tirerack's tests and reviews. They do everything great and are not that expensive.

 

im on set number two of S drives the noise to me wasnt loud or annoying, and they handle great and good tread life and not to expensive

 

How about the Yokohama EnVigors?

 

Hey y'all,

I just purchased a set of 4 Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31 Run Flat tires size 205/45R-17 84V XL RF, through Discount tires. Total for mounting, balance, install and free replacement certificates was just under $880.00.

I called the local MINI dealer and it was going to be $1200.00+ and they recommened Contis. I have read great reviews about those tires, but not sure they were worth the investment. The local MINI dealer (Ralph Schomp) got me some steelies and winter runflats and I was very pleased with their service! So I am not anti-dealer, I just want a good deal. My bottom line for choosing this set was strictly economic. So I am conducting my own research on these Kumhos.


I am now tracking my mpg, to see how these are comparing to my winter runflats, and my previous set of Yokohama Avid H4's non-runflat. I've only had them 2-3 weeks and so far so good. Smooth ride in city conditions and on the highway. Not noisy at all. It has recently rained and they had great stopping power on slick roads. They did great @ speed on the highway.

So I'll keep y'all posted. I think it was a good deal, but only if they last and continue to perform well.

tracey

 

Hey there TEXHESS, how are these tires working out for you? Looking to buy something soon for my Mini and these were presented as an option the other week while I was at Discount. Can't wait to hear your opinion.

 

Hey MINICDN,

These tires are great. I just had the winter steelies put on (free service by discount tire). I put approx 6,000 miles on these Kumhos. They are in great shape and have plenty of treadlife left. My average MPG was just under 27, which is a nice improvement over the AVIDs which was 23ish. The gentleman I purchased my mini from said he got 19-25mpg, but he drove even more "peppy" than I.
I'm confident I will get 2 more summers out of these tires. I am satisfied with the performance, I am at ease b/c runflats, I am thrilled the mpg improved, I would definitely purchase these again.

tex-