I am looking to replace my OEM Continentals soon. My opinion is that they didn't wear worth a darn. I don't race the car or take the twisties too fast. These tires didn't last at all. I think I'll move up to the 195/60. Can any of you recommend a tire that would service me better in the mileage department without losing too much in handling and road noise.

 

Try a Michelin Pilot Exalto in 205x55. They are quiet and sticky, albeit not inexpensive.

Oops - scratch that idea - you shouldn't even be using 195's on a 5-1/2" rim

 

I have also been noticing that the OEM Continentals wear kinda of fast.

I had a set of Dunlop SP Sport A2's on our old Civic, and I was quite happy with them, as far as an all-season tire goes. They make a 195/60/15, too:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....1=yes&place=13

 

i recommend the Toyo Proxes 4 ... All Season High Performance ... comes in 15 and 16 sizes for the MINI ... around $70 a piece

had them in 17's before and loved them.

 

Using your stock 15x5.5" rims you can use several tire sizes with good results. Talk to Alex@tirerack.com to learn more about your options.
For best tire wear, good handling, and good wet and dry traction try looking at all season tires in the ultra high or high performance category or similar. The summer tires won't last as long but are sticky (and fun).

For 195/60-15 (24.2" outer tire diameter)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...=8&RunFlat=All
Yokohama AVS ES100 (UHP Summer)$74 each 280 tread wear 20 pounds
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS (UHP all season) $85 each 400 tread wear 21 pounds
Kumho Ecsta ASX (UHP all season) $46 each 420 tread wear 19 pounds
Bridgestone Potenza G009 (HP all season) $61 each 460 tread wear 22 pounds
Dunlop SP Sport A2 Plus (HP all season) $55 each 460 tread wear 21 pounds
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (HP all season) $87 each 400 tread wear 21 pounds
Check out the HP all season tire ratings-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=HPAS

For 205/55-15 (23.9 to 24.1" outer tire diameter)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...=9&RunFlat=All
BFG G-Force Sport (UHP Summer)$67 each 340 tread wear 20 pounds
BFG G-Force T/A KDW2 (UHP Summer)$101 each 300 tread wear 22 pounds
Kumho Ecsta SPT (UHP Summer)$65 each 340 tread wear 21 pounds
Yokohama AVS ES100 (UHP Summer)$79 each 280 tread wear 21 pounds
Kumho Ecsta ASX (UHP all season) $63 each 420 tread wear 20 pounds
BFG Traction T/A V (UHP all season) $79 each 440 tread wear 23 pounds
Bridgestone Potenza G009 (HP all season) $87 each 460 tread wear 23 pounds

Check out the UHP all season tire ratings-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...jsp?type=UHPAS