Well, let's see I am absolutely lost on what tires to pick that fit my JCW rims and what would be a decent grip/not too soft of a tire. Tires are the area of the car I know nothing about =(

What tires is everyone liking now days for the JCW? The MINI is mainly a DD and I live in Texas so no winter weather issues.

 

I currently have the Continental Extreme Contact DW and find it to be a fantastic tire. So far I'm very pleased (have had them almost 1 year).

 

Nitto Neo Gens. I am on my second set. First set lasted a bit more than 25k miles.

 

If you want great grip go for the low tread wear tires (140-200). They work good in rain too due to the tread design's aggressive channels.

We have Hankook RS-3, Bridgestone RE-11 and Dunlop Direzza z1 star spec tires. All three are great. The Hankooks like warm/ very hot conditions more than very cold. The Dunlops like cooler conditions more than blazing hot.

 

I have a 2006 MCS and am thinking about upgrading away from the Run Flats as well. I've seen several threads discussing tire sizing (Stock vs +1, +2) and am wondering which to choose being that my car is a Daily Driver with occasional weekend "Spirited Driving"? Mainly looking to improve the ride and perhaps get a slightly more sticky summer tire than the OEM set up. I currently have the Hankook Winter tire and the ride is terrible. Any advice?

 

The width of the wheel is the main factor for choosing tire width.

6.0" - 185-195
6.5" - 185-205
7.0" - 195-225
7.5" - 205-235
8.0" - 215-255
8.5" - 225-255
9.0" - 225-265

Overall dia. should be as close to factory as possible. That sets the profile.

Wheel dia. sets the..... inside dia.

| TIRE SIZE | DIAMETER |
+-----------+-------------------+
| 195/55-15 | 23.44in (595.5mm) |
| 205/40-17 | 23.46in (595.8mm) |
| 215/50-15 | 23.46in (596.0mm) |
| 215/45-16 | 23.62in (599.9mm) |
| 195/50-16 | 23.68in (601.4mm) |
| 185/60-15 | 23.74in (603.0mm) |
| 215/40-17 | 23.77in (603.8mm) |
| 205/55-15 | 23.88in (606.5mm) |
| 215/35-18 | 23.93in (607.7mm) |
| 175/65-15 | 23.96in (608.5mm) |
| 225/45-16 | 23.97in (608.9mm) |
| 205/50-16 | 24.07in (611.4mm) |
| 225/40-17 | 24.09in (611.8mm) |
| 225/35-18 | 24.20in (614.7mm) |
| 195/60-15 | 24.21in (615.0mm) |
| 205/45-17 | 24.26in (616.3mm) |
| 195/55-16 | 24.44in (620.9mm) |
| 205/40-18 | 24.46in (621.2mm) |
| 215/50-16 | 24.46in (621.4mm) |
| 185/65-15 | 24.47in (621.5mm) |
| 215/45-17 | 24.62in (625.3mm) |

Basic trade offs:
The wider the tire the greater the sweeper grip but lower MPG.
The stiffer the side wall (shorter side wall too) the faster the turn in but harsher ride.
Hard tires last a long time but do not stick.
Softer tires grip well but don't last very long.
Harder/ thinner tires can provide better MPG but you may slide off the road.

 

From what I've seen, for summer tires, you are probably going to max out in the 25k mile range (a lot is dependent on driving style). I've managed to squeeze that much out of both Yoko S.drives and some Conti DW tires. As others have noted, you give up tread life to get a grippier tire with summer versions. Performance-wise I was pleased with both of those tires - biggest problem was the noise from the Yokos.

On the all-season front, I've recently switched over to some Conti DWS tires. Mainly to get some longer tread life, realizing there will be some loss of grip, especially at the limit.

The "ride" will probably be more dependent on the size of the sidewalls than anything else. The taller the profile, the softer the ride will probably seem. But that is at the expense of "snappiness" on turn-in.

I've been pleased with running 205/55-16s on my MINI. No issues with it being a DD and occasional spirited driving.

 

Went from run flats to Hankooks 5k miles ago. Happy with the wear, the ride (much more comfy than the run-flats) and no noticeable decline in handling. Very happy. And the price is an added bonus.

 

Thanks for the advice you guys.

 

I have Bridgstone RE11 Tires on Challenge wheels on my Cooper and they are awesome. I just bought a replacement set, but the original set still stick like no tomorrow. The sidewalls are so stiff for a non-runflat, I'm putting them on my Cadillac CTS-V too. They have saved my rims from a pothole or two as well.

 

Wow guys thank for all the advice! I am going to start pricing out some tires here quickly so I can have them in after I send my rims off to the powdercoater.

Thanks NAM!

 

I'm driving an '04 JCW, looking for summer tires. It seems like it's boiling down between the Conti ExtremeContact DW and the RE-11's. Are the RE-11's really that much better with cornering?

 

The RE-11's have far superior grip in the dry. The Continentals are extraordinary in the wet. This has been proven many times at autocrosses.

OTOH, if you're driving sanely on public roads you may never notice the difference.

 

I have experience with the Hankook V12 Evos and the Direzza Star Specs. Loved them both, but for different reasons. Star Specs all around fantastic summer tire, V12 Evos not quite as good in the dry, but a little better in the wet. Star Spec is my summer tire here in Colorado. Run Blizzak LM-60s in snow, and Hoosier R6s and Yoko A048s at the track.

 

I am on my second set of RE11s. I have to say, all the way to the very end, the grip is incredible. At the end the front tires had a suggestion of tread, and I haven't found the limit yet. My brain says, you won't make the turn, and the tires say, what's the issue. No squealing or anything. That and the fact the the rim protector in the tires have save my rims from some horrible potholes.

 

I just ordered a set of Michelin PSS. I've heard nothing but great things about them. Although not as grippy as the RE-11s they are still an excellent summer tire with a 300 wear rating. For a DD, i think is a great choice.

 

Be sure to post up your thoughts. I'm considering them too.

Dave
Houston