Hey has anyone tried out the new runflat tire from Continental? I saw it on the Tirerack website. Size 205/55HR16 is only $103.00! Sounds like a good deal compared to the Dunlops and they have a longer tread life (400). There are only two sizes available 205/55 HR16 and 225/45 HR17. Since the selection of runflats is so limited I thought you guys might be interested in hearing about these.

 

Continental ContiProContact SSR

It will be interesting to keep an eye on this tire and see how it is.

 

Achem, wrong forum

Anyways, I am due for some new rubber in about 2k miles, so I might look into them. I'll let you know if I get em, but I was kinda steering away from runflats. I'll take the risk!

 

whoops! Sorry, I put this in the wrong forum. Totally missed the "Tires" forum. Maybe one of the Moderators can move this over.....

 

Done

 

Will these tires fit fine with no issues on the standard 16" 5-spokes that come with the MINI? Or will new rims have to be purchased to accommodate them? $105 a piece is a great price compared to the dunlops.

-boognish

 

Longer tread life usually equates to less handling performance. I guess it all depends on what you are after.

 

Just visited the Nashville Mini dealer yesterday for service. They noticed the Pirelli RFT's were badly worn on the rear. 17.5K miles, rotated every 5k miles, wife driven. They recommended the Conti SSR's if I was sticking with RFT.

'08 Cooper S Conv Sidewalk

 

Are you talking about the ContiProContact SSR? It is the only Continental runflat, non-snow tire, I find at tire rack in 205/55-16. I see it listed at $139, not $103. It is a Grand Touring All Season tire (yawn). So, don't expect very good handling. It is also listed as an OEM tire in 195/55-16, and 205/45-17. There are lots of reader reviews with high mileage on the tires. So, I doubt it is new.

Couldn't find a new Continental runflat at TireRack.

 

This thread is 3-1/2 years old. It might have been new back then.

 

I bought the Conti's for my '03 MCS about a year ago (10k miles) from Tire Rack. Just like Tire Rack's site said, these are softer riding tires than the Pirellis and Goodyears I previously had. In fact the difference in the ride quality is huge and immediately noticeable. Of course it's still not a "luxo ride" and no one would ever expect an MCS to be that, especially with run flat tires which seem to have a harsh ride due to the stiff sidewalls. I never track the car, but once in a while I do drive it hard, and there seems to be no significant compromise in handling at all (although my guess is that these tires would be far from optimal tires for a track day). Finally these have an all-season rated tread pattern and the Pirellis and Goodyears I had did not...an advantage if you live where it snows, given that there seems to be no significant handling trade off. My experience with the Pirellis was not great; they are too easy damaged by potholes. I also have an SLK55 and had the same experience with Pirellis on that car...great handling tires, but too easy to damage if you live an area where the winter weather causes potholes.

 

I have these on my car and they aren't too bad. They are very quiet. They are hard though and have thought many times of switching to regular tires. I just can't get rid of them with such good tread left, it would be a waste to me.