H or V rating on a 2012 Cooper S. Interested in BF Goodrich g-Force Super Sport tires....205/55/16.

 

to be legal in Europe, you would have to put on a tire with a speed rating that at least matches the car's top speed. Since H rated tires max at 130MPH, those would be disqualified on an S with a top speed in theory up in the low 140MPH range.

You decide if speed ratings up in the 130MPH+ range matter. I still try to stick with the Euro approach and usually find the tires I want in the higher speed rating for not much difference in price. And while I don't expect to reach those speeds I figure the higher speed rated ones are going to be engineered to be more resistant to heat build up, which in turn could be lower rolling resistance though maybe stiffer too. Just rules of thumb--it can vary by tire where a given one was engineered/OEM'ed for a very specific vehicle at some point. And if that's true I try to find the one for my vehicle; sometimes you will see notations about this in TireRack's fitments for example.

 

I've also noticed the same tire in H and V versions among several tires that I've considered and wondered which might be better.

The only difference I see between the H and V versions in the specs and ratings presented at Tire Rack is that the H tire is listed as having a 7.1" tread width, while the V has 7". You probably couldn't notice that difference, but you might notice the $56 more for a set of V's.

I'd still get the V's for sustained very high speed driving (as on the autobahn), or for tracking, even if I never reached the 130 mph maximum speed of the H rating. That's because the V's should be slightly better at handling the heat without a reduction in performance. Since these are A/S tires, however, my guess is that you won't be doing either of those, so I don't think the V's would provide any advantage.

Hope I don't order the V's after saying that.

 

If you purchase the H rated instead of the V rated tires, you will be sorry immediately with the handling of your MINI. It will tend to lean in corners instead of go cart handling. The car came equipped from the factory with what the engineers specified for the car (V) so don't change it.

 

Get the KDW IIs instead a lot better of a tire. Just my opinion. And as stated before V for sure.

 

I just bought a set of Hankook Evo 110s in 205/55-16 and they are Z rated. The car handles like a champ and the tires are MUCH quieter and smoother riding than the run-flats. Oh yeah, I paid the princely sum of $71 each after the rebate. Got 'em from TireRack.com...

-RW-

 

If they're in your size, the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo 110's are awesome! And quiet. And though they're a summer tire, they work like an all season in the rain. And the price is right. And they placed 2nd in a Car and Driver tire test of summer high performance tires.