86+K on my '07 R56, time to replace April - October R/F OEM tires.

Don't much like run-flats though the OEM tires are much better than those that came on my '02 R53. Don't like R/F price either as 4 are needed.

Recommendations welcome. Not a "hot" driver but want something that inspires confidence in summer deluges common in my area.

Run Blizzaks in winter, tried running 205/50WR-16 Potenza S-03's for a couple seasons until the rears cupped BADLY, ostensibly from too-compliant sidewalls being incompatible with "sport" suspension.

 

Lots of threads on this. I went for Hankook Ventus V12 but can't comment on their actual use as it is still too cold to finally try them out.

 

Yah, thanks for that. My goal is to discern what options are that have "stiff-enuf" sidewalls to resist the cupping (ruined two good tires) while providing better ride quality + undiminished handling particularly in the wet... and REALLY wet, when the track depressions in ungrooved asphalt fill up.

All too common a phenomenon what with the summer rains we get and all the repaving done w/Stimulus funds in the last 18 months.

 

I just got 4 Continental Extreme Contact DW 245-45-17s for summer use and so far they are very good. Much better ride than the Bridgestone Potenzas that came on the car when i bought it a month ago. Only had the Contis for a couple of weeks so no history on the tread life yet. I got a very good discount as I have a relative that works for the tire manufacturer so I really couldn't go with another brand.

 

To be honest I have never heard of cupping due to soft sidewalls... Are you sure your alignment is not off? Many, many MINI owners use 16" non run-flat tires and summer or winter tires with the sports suspension.

My last R56 had 15" winter tires and they were pretty darn soft and the wear was perfect. Maybe something odd with S-03s?

 

We've had the Continental ExtremeContact DW on our MCS for nearing two years now. They grip better than any other I've driven on (except maybe the Pirelli's).

 

The DW sat at the top of our testing program for a long time. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport has now landed on top, and is one of the most confidence inspiring tires I have ever driven.

 

Just got the Continental Extreme Contact DWS's for my daily driver. Thank God for the warm winter, I was able to remove the winters early and try these fellas out. They are great!

 

Hankook Ventus V12 Evo's here. (215/40-18's) I drive them hard and they're fantastic performers. And as long as they have a decent amount of tread, they work real well in the rain.

Google "Car and Driver 2009 tire test" for some summer tire evaluations.

 

I found the Conti DW tires that I had did quite well in the rain. Never had any issues all they way down to only about 1/32nd of tread before replacing them. I did have some slight cupping to occur at about the 20k mile mark. Got them re-balanced and that helped get them to the end of life.

 

goodyear eagle f1 asym. grippy tires that i loved when i had my 335i.

 

+1 for the Super Sports I went to them after a set of Goodyear F1 GS-D3's, which were great, but the Sports are above and beyond the F1's! Also quieter and a better ride.

 

also had a set of gs-d3, too bad they don't have my size i'm looking for, for my 18s. whooo just looked at the price of the super sports...$$$$

 

Hankook- they great tires. Put them on the the Clubman and Cabrio. The price from America tire came to a set for $420 plus a $40 visa card. Cost aside they are grippy, track nicely and quiet. My $.02 worth

 

I have the Firestone Indys, 215/45s, very good grip and decent ride.

 

+2 for the super sports. I swapped out the RF on my clubman last summer and I love them. I am running 215-45-17. A bonus with these tires is they include a 30,000 mile tread warranty, which no other max performance summer tire offers. I was going to get the continental DW but decided to spend a bit more for these. I don't regret it

 

So far I have 400 miles on my Michelin Pilot Super Sports. I replaced the OEM Brigstone R 05 RF summer tires at almost 17,000 and they were not completely down to the wear bars. Thats great milage for summer tires.
The Michelins are super quiet and sticky, but not broken in yet. Our club has a rapid run in the mountains at the end of the month that should scrub the tires in nicely. The next weekend is HPDE at VIR, so I should be ready tire wise.

 

I just put a set of Falken Ziex 215-45/17's on my car, and I have to say I am happy so far. Nice ride, Quiet and handle good. Havnt really played in rain yet or milage. But they were priced at 115 per. so time will tell. So far so good!!

 

205/50/16 s-drive Yokohomas. I love them.
About 7500 miles on mine (rotated once at 5K) and still look
like new. I also run 35 psi in them.
Plus, very reasonable in price.