Before the trolls come after me...
I searched "summer tires" and the top 100 threads did not come back with
what I was looking for

sooo....

My GF just bought some 16X7 Sparco Assetto Gara's in white for her 2011 Mini S in laser blue. Not my choice but she's happy (they're a little heavy)
I have snows on her stock (16") wheels, and the stock tires that came on the car are DONE
So I need recommendations for summer tires. I was told to get 195/55R16's and usual go-to's aren't made in that size.

So what are people running on their daily drivers in the summer?

 

why not wait until spring?

You can also go with 205-50 or 205-55 if you don't find the tire you like in a 195-55

 

Living in the NE you might want to consider a performance all season tire and run it to late fall (December maybe). A real "summer" tire becomes hard and loses traction below ~50 deg which will make driving in N Boston less fun in late fall. I take my Bridgestone RE760 sports (summer tire) off at the end of Sept because of the cooler weather and the lack of traction when the tires are cold. The Bridgestone RE970 AS would be a good choice in a 205-55x16. The handling is there w/o the loss of cold weather traction.

 

Do you want non runflats or runflats?

You can choose 205/50-16 or 205/55-16 as these will fit. slightly less and more tall than OEM sizes.

Ultra High Performance Summer or All Season tires worth a look.
Kumho Ecsta SPT XRP
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS or RE960AS

Grand touring All Season tires worth a look.
Michelin Primacy MXV4 and MXM4

 

Try a search by tire size of your choice

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...your-favs.html

 

Thanks for the response

I think I might bump up to a 205/50

I want a proper summer tire. She can handle my FR-S on star specs in the cold, and she had no problem abusing my STI last march (very cold but no snow) and that was on pure summers.

I'll take a look at the recommendations listed here. Anyone running the kumho's suggested above? I've never heard of them before. I'll stay clear of the potenza's, I've never had luck with those.

 

I've heard a lot of good reviews on the Conti DW

I like the Hankook Evo W12 for a budget summer tire too. I ran those on a S4 and was very impressed - I think they would also work well on a Mini.

 

If you are big into performance then-

Start your search with Extreme Summer tires in 205/50-16.
Dunlop Z1 Star Spec 205/50-16 for $152 closeout, 200 treadwear
In 205/55-16
Bridgestone RE-11 $163 each, 180 treadwear

If none found then Max Summer tires.
Continental ExtremeContact DW
205/50-16 $99 each, 340 treadwear, 19 lbs

The Bridgestone RE970AS and RE960AS are excellent tires in their class and far better than other Bridgestone Potenza tires of which there are many mediocre examples.

Only if you want longer treadlife consider UHP Summer or All Season tires.

Word of warning, as the summer tires get older you might not be so safe driving in the winter months. Or if you do drive just be aware to be careful for the road conditions.

The Continental DW is a good Max Summer tire but is more towards comfort while trading off handling, they tend to have lighter weight and a less stiff sidewall.
They are a good value.