This is my first time posting to this forum. It is also my first time working on my mini. I am one month past warranty and its time for me to get to work. I have a 2002 Mini Cooper S. About a week ago I noticed my car sounded like an airplane taking off - it turned out my brake pads were almost gone and the rotors were so that they had to be replaced. Now,...I need tires. One tire has an air bubble and all are overdue for replacement. I have 205 45 R17 on there now. I am a pretty hard driver and I live in NY. I drive it in the snow, rain, sleet- anything. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.
-Stacy

 

there aren't many selections for M+S tires (all seasons) in the 205/45/17
size, so you might want to opt to the 215/45/17's.

For normal street use, I recommend the Yokohama Avid H4's,
Sumitomo HTR+. Pirelli Pzero Nero is also a very popular
all season tire.

Check out: www.tirerack.com or your local tire dealer.

 

Thanks so much for replying. I found Yokohama AVS ES 100 that fit my car - but your response confirmed my decision. I was trying not to go wider - NY, lots of snow. Granted, these arent the best for all seasons -but most seasons. I'll just have to drive carefully.
-Satcy

 

Check out Continental Extreme Contact All Seasons. They have the sizes in 17". I live in a lake effect snow area and can vouch that they are a decent all-seasons tire. They are quiet and stick much better in the dry than the crap Goodyear run flats that came with my MCS.

Tire Rack sells them.

 

The Yoko ES 100 is NOT an all season tire - these cannot be driven in snow. This is a summer only tire.

 

Ok, I found these at tirerack and they are in stock. Good?

Avon Tech M550 A/S
Size: 205/45WR17
PS- thanks so much for everyone's input -it is sooooo helping.
-Stacy

 

I haven't tried those personally, but customer ratings looks pretty good.
i was originally going to post that one in the factory size, but was not sure
if you were looking for tires that you wanted to buy locally. Im not sure if
Avons are available at your local tire store... I guess you can have tirerack
ship it either to the store, or to you house and carry them over to get them
mounted/balanced. Sears carries Sumitomo's and I know DiscountTires
can get the Avids.

 

I read the customer ratings and couldn't pass them up for the price. I am having them shipped directly to the tire shop to get them mounted. Tirerack couldn't have been easier. They should be on the car by Tuesday the latest.
-S

 

nice! please keep us posted on how you like the tire. They need to be
broken in first so please let us know after about 100miles.

 

My pleasure, will do. Thanks for eveyone's input.

 

I replaced my run flats with:
Avon Tech M550 A/S
Size: 205/45WR17

I have now put about 200 miles on them. MUCH smoother ride. I always defended my car saying I love to feel the road - but really - these are nice and smooth. I like them. Great buy also - recommened!

However, I still have a wicked noise. Sounds like a plane taking off -the faster I go the louder it gets. Any ideas? I think I've had the noise so long I cant tell if it got better or worse or this is just the sound a Mini makes.

-Stacy

 

Thanks for the review


is that just the tire noise?

 

no idea - i noticed it before and after the tire replacement. But I don't remember it,...say a year ago. It's tough to describe the noise here.

 

might be wheel bearings going...