I am planning on ditching my runflats this fall. I want to stay with the stock 205/45/17 in an all-season tire. I am coming from Pirelli Euforia (summer tires) and do not want to lose any of the crisp turn-in feel. No track use, just occasional spirited street driving.

What are your thoughts on the following (Tire Rack Prices):

Avon Tech M550 ($99) -- Solid Tire Rack reviews

Goodyear F1 ($126) --Not much history

Kumho Ecsta AST ($68) -- Can't beat the price, maybe less performance than others

 

You have such a nice list of performance goodies on your MCS, why go cheap on the tires??? From your list, I'd go with the F1 - one of the newest, state of the art, early reviews are positive, F1 line has good track record.
I'm about to replace the original runflats on my 05 MCS stock 16" wheels and I narrowed tires down to GS-D3's or F1 all season. Decided in favor of max summer performance but would have picked the F1 A/S if going all season route.
Just my $.02.

 

I'd be driving on the Avons, if they had not run out of my size as a closeout[205-50-15]. They are not a cheap tire, just a cheap price. You might also consider the General Exclaim UHP...top-rated by Tire Rack.

 

For that size (which limits your choices a lot)
Both M550A/S and Goodyear F1 AS are good. Likely F1 will handle a little better but it is early and not all tests/reviews are in.

Kumho Ecsta ASX is UHP All Season
215/45-17 $86 each

Kumho Ecsta AST is a notch lower (High Performance All Season tire).
I don't think you will feel it can keep up with your other choices if you tried it with your MINI.

If you are not limited by budget then tires that can provide more performance, more comfort and be All Season would be-
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS
or
Yokohama ADVAN S.4.
Both in 215/45-17

If you don't get any snow then you can consider-
UHP Summer tires
In 205/45-17
there are-
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 $124 240 treadwear
BF Goodrich g-Force Sport $105 340 treadwear
Kumho Ecsta SPT $93 320 treadwear

Given stock suspension and wheels you can use 215/45-17 without problems. You are not limited to 205/45-17.

 

Any other disadvantages to the 215/45/17 besides speedometer error? Any chance of increased stone damage along the side of the MINI due to the slightly wider tire?

 

I've used ASX in the past, good tire, protested loudly at the limit. Didn't affect the handling at all, just squealed more than I would have liked.

 

Bump...For any other disadvantages of going 215/45/17?