Title says it all... what do you guys recommend?

Currently I'm thinking to go for the 40 series sidewall as it's closer to stock. The tire will be about 3/10's of an inch larger in diameter, though - should I be worried about rubbing? I'm guessing no, but checking to be sure. I'm currently on JCW springs, so only about a 0.5" drop vs. stock. I also have the steering stops installed with the JCW R105 rims. On a related note, would the higher sidewall impact cornering (e.g. sidewall flex)? That's one thing I do like about my current runlfats - they have very stiff sidewalls...

For tires, I was thinking the KDW2s initially. They are about 5 lbs heavier per tire, though, and cost another $30 per tire too vs. the Paradas. I know the Parada Spec-2's have issues with noise, but I'm around 95% city driving, and I have a loud aftermarket stereo. I'm mainly concerned with what would be better handling, and which will last longer. The KDW2s are rated higher on TireRack, but the Paradas are quite a bit cheaper...

 

First you should talk to Alex@tirerack.com for info on other MINI owners similar to you and what worked for them.

For 18x7" rims and JCW springs and street use consider:
215/35-18 General Exclaim UHP Ultra High Performance Summer tires
380 treadwear AA traction Y speed rated 18 pounds 23.9" tire diameter
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Exclaim+UHP
Excellent ratings $86 each
Moderately good tests:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...lay.jsp?ttid=4
The advantage is the UHP is a good street tire, comfortable, wears well, good price, should fit without rubbing problems. slightly better in wet than dry but overall decent for street use. Lacks very high performance.

For the BF Goodrich KDW2 consider also:
225/35-18 $175 each 300 treadwear AA traction Y speed rated 22 pounds
Perfect fit for 18x8" rim 24.3" tire diameter
Good test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=35
Expensive tires- excellent dry and wet performance/handling but noisy compared to other tires. Doesn't wear quite as well, offers better performance, moderate comfort.

For $142 each the KDW2 comes in 215/40-18 which should still fit, just closer to the wheel arches, 23 pounds 24.7" outer tire diameter. It's a good option if you don't want 35 series tires, and slightly rougher ride/heavier weight- 26 pounds.

I think if you like to drive aggressively then the KDW2 will be much more fun but soft rubber will wear faster. You compromise a little on comfort and noise. Cost is relatively high.

If you observe the speed limits and like the low price and longer treadwear, or you have some rain in your area then the General UHP is a solid tire.

If you live in an area that has a rainy season/light snow and you want longer treadlife then consider an Ultra High performance All Season tire like:
Pirelli Pzero Nero M+S $139 each 400 treadwear AA traction 19 pounds W speed rated 24" outer tire diameter
Also comes in 215/40-18 for $ 129 each 23 pounds 24.8" tire diameter
Solid test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=52
Strong handling wet or dry without compromising comfort, good wear, capable all season tires at a competitive price.
Many MINI owners have Pzero Neros and are happy with them.

 

Hi minihune, thanks for the response. At this point, I'm thinking of going with the 215/40R18 size, as I'd rather fill up the wheel wells a tiny amount vs. increasing the space around the wheel more (the 35 series is about 0.5-0.6" smaller in diameter vs. stock). I do like the KDW2s, and they do have higher ratings on TireRack. So I'd definitely be considering them over the UHPs and Neros (as I'm in Los Angeles, we don't really need an all-season tire here). Any comments on the Paradas? The $120 price difference (vs. the KDW2s) has me thinking about them...

 

OK, 215/40-18 is fine.

The advantage of the All season tire is treadwear life, reasonable performance, more competitive prices, more comfort for daily use.

I didn't mention Parada Spec 2s because they are not as highly rated compared to the KDW2 but that doesn't mean they aren't good for the money.

Traction is very good as least in the beginning. Noise tends to be more prominent and comfort is secondary. Wet traction isn't as good. Looks are great- an excellent show car tire but so is the KDW2.

Parada Spec 2 would be $112 each 300 treadwear AA traction 22 pounds
W speed rated 24.9" outer tire diameter.

It's really your call, tires are always a trade off of cost vs performance vs wear. I'd say more MINI owners choose KDW2 than Parada Spec2.

 

Quite happy with the Pirelli P Zero Nero MS on my car.

215/35/18

 

Okay, now you guys got me thinking... I checked out some threads on the Paradas, and most people seem to think that getting more than 10k miles out of a set is unlikely (any experiences on KDW2 wear?). That's one of the things that bugs me about my currently tires (Dunlop 18" runflats) - I've basically wore down the fronts to almost the wear bars in <5000 miles... I'd like to get closer to 15-20k miles out of a set if possible. I know that there's going to be some compromise between performance and wear... and the comments on all-season tires and the Pirellis are making think that maybe that's the way to go...?

 

Getting performance tires is great but often 12,000 miles is about right for tire wear. Everything is based on how you drive and how you handle tire pressure maintenance and tire rotation.

I never have trouble with tire wear but I watch and rotate my tires alot. I do alignments regularly (bad roads often affect alignment). My current set of Potenza S-03s are about 3 years old and I have many more miles to go on them. I do rotate monthly (due to wheel changes at the track) and I have flipped my directional tires to get more even tire wear on the inner sides (outer edges wear faster on the track).

Using an All season tire will help with tire treadwear but you still have to do the regular checking of pressures and rotations. Fronts always wear faster.
You still do get decent performance out of All season tires, plus you get more comfort and less tire noise. For those that don't have to autocross or go on the track I think All season tires like the Pirelli Pzero Nero are quite good. If it does rain the wet traction is also very good.

 

I'm riding on the Pirelli Pzero Nero 18's 215/35. Driving on the twistys they grip really really well. Had the S03's on the wife's 330 i and they would grabe every groove in the road. I might consider the Parada Spec-2's next time because of them being a high performance summer tire and the lack of miles I put on each year I won't wear them down as fast as others.

 

On my 2003 MCS, I had Parada Spec-2's and then BFG KDW2s. I preferred the KDWs for performance and looks. Both performed well at track days but the KDWs were better. Both got noisy was they wore. I believe mainly from to much negative camber on the rear due to lowering with no camber adjustment. I believe I got about 12,500 miles out of the Parada's and the KDWs had about 14,000 miles on them (with about a 1,000 to go) when I wrecked the car. Taking everything into account, I would go with the KDWs over the Parada's. My vote is for 215/35R18s.

 

Any reason why you all recommend 215/35 vs. 215/40? The 40 series is closer to the stock diameter (at least according the calculator I looked at)... I know the 35 series might give slightly better cornering due to the shorter sidewall, but is the difference all that big?

As for miles, I don't put that many on my car either -- probably 10k or less per year. However, as it's spirited street driving, I think I tend to wear down the tires faster than if I was driving freeway more often...

As for the tires, I'm still debating between the KDW2s and Pirellis... thanks for all the inputs so far!

 

For the 215/35 vs. 215/40, I like the 35 series because of the shorter sidewall for handling, performance, and appearance. Also, the smaller diameter tire will accelerate slightly better, the tire should be slightly lighter, and the car will be slightly lower (about 1/8"). All that said, as blammo stated there is very little difference. The 215/35 has 1.3% larger diameter than the stock 205/40x18 and the 215/35 has a 2.1% smaller diameter than stock.

 

I run H-sport springs, one inch drop. In the front there is a little room (not much) but on the back I wouldn't want them to be any taller. I have not seen a 215/40 on the car so I really don't know if there is any fit problem. If your car is only droped 1/2 inch, I would think you could fit the 40's.

 

Hi everyone, and thanks for all the comments. I ended up buying 215/35R18 Kumho SPTs...

As for the smaller size, I compared the 35 and 40 series to the stock 17" runflat sizes... and the 35 series is actually closer to that (apparently the 205/40R18 that comes with the JCW wheels is larger than stock). Combine that with the fact that everyone here seems to go for 215/35, I decided to play it safe...

As for tire brand, I was pretty set on the KDW2s. Unfortunately, they were a special order (from America's Tire Co / Discount Tire). Combine that with the fact that one of my runflats was really having problems keeping air (needing to be refilled every day), and the fact that they had 215/35R18 Kumho SPTs in stock (which were about $40 cheaper per tire than the KDW2s), I went with those. The Kumho's received good ratings online, and I figured it'd be easier to get a replacement if I needed one all of a sudden (e.g. blowout).

As for the new tires, all I can say is wow. Compared with the runflats (I know, I know...), the Kumho's definitely seem to stick better and are less noisy. Going over some big bumps (e.g. sewer covers that aren't very flush with the road) was a lot less harsh. To be honest, I would probably have kept the runflats for piece of mind - I didn't mind the ride that much, and they seemed fine to me. It was primarily the wear (2 tires every six months) and cost (>$300 per tire) that really swung me to the non-runflat side. Not that I'm complaining now...

 

You'll love the SPT's! Especialy awesome in the rain and great in the dry! Can't beat the price either.

 

Most non runflats will be an improvement over runflats and no sense buying replacement runflats unless you really can do without them. Replacements also much less expensive if you get them from tirerack.com

215/35-18 and Kumho SPT is good choice for price ($97 each at tirerack.com) 320 wear 20 pounds, AA traction. Decently good wet and dry traction, and very good comfort. KDW2 are the better tire for handling but not as good as the SPT for daily use and comfort- also KDW2 are more expensive but tread pattern is unique.

When it comes time to replace the SPTs consider a set of KDW2 from tirerack. You can order them and deliver them to your local garage or home and then mount them when it's time. See how the SPTs wear for you- rotate them every 4000 miles and keep tire pressures up. If they wear too fast then consider an all season Ultra High performance tire.