Addendum ***

Forgot to mention that I live in the Middle east; Temperature goes to a peak of 51 degrees centigrade (123 deg fahrenheit). No snow during winter (8-10 degress celsius max)

Awaiting insights...

 

Muttbear,
The best advice I ever got on tires was to check out the Tire Rack web site. There are performance test reports, expert reviews, consumer reviews, and lots of technical mini-reports available to read. Also Alex from Tire Rack is on this forum and will gladly answer your questions in a pm if you contact him.

The Primacy HP is a grand touring summer tire and the Pilot Exalto PE2 is an Ultra High Performance summer tire. Big difference in tread pattern, wall stiffness, ect. Also there are a lot of really good alternatives that are much less pricy. Talk to Alex.
Cheers,
Greg

 

Sir NAProf, Thanks for the advise.

Paging Sir Alex of Tirerack; Need help regarding tire choices with 215/45/17. Initial choice were Michelin pilot super sport and Dunlop Direzza; Unfortunately its not available in my area. The available choices for me were Michelin Exalto and Michelin Primacy. Please suggest other alternative. I was offered a certain Accelera brand (Indonesian), any feedback with this? How about Bridgestone? Federal?

Hope to hear from you.

Thanks...

 

For 215/45-17

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 (Extreme Summer tire)
$202 each, 180 treadwear
Your best bet for great handling but wears fast

Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position (Max Summer tire)
$146 each, 280 treadwear
Slightly less sharp handling, better treadwear, less cost

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS (Ultra High Performance All Season tire)
$144 each, 400 treadwear
Good blend of decent handling in dry or wet with more comfortable ride and longer treadwear at a decent price

There are two Michelin Pilot Exaltos, one is PE2 (UHP Summer) and the other is Exalto A/S (High Perf All Season), tirerack doesn't have PE2 in 17" and Exalto A/S does not come in any sizes in 17" for the MINI, only 205/50-17 which is too tall.

Are you able to get the PE2 in 215/45-17? If so then that is not a bad tire for the MINI.
Has good handling especially in wet and OK for comfort.

Primacy HP (Grand Touring Summer tire)
Does come in 215/45-17, 240 treadwear
More for comfort and less noise than for handling, not good in wet.

 

If you can get PE2's, I'd go with those, they're the best all round tire I've ever used. They grip almost as well as the most agressive track tire, but are as comfortable as an all season. If they were still available, I'd be running them.

 

Mission Accomplished!!!


Thanks for all the inputs.