I currently have Continental (OEM tires) on my MC and they truly suck especially in some snow. I'm debating the Continental ContiWinterContact TS 790 (use all year round) and the Pirelli P3000E

Does anyone have any other suggestions for a 175 x 65 x 15 tire?

TIA

 

Try calling Alex@tirerack.com for your choices.

Pirelli P3000E is a High Performance Summer tire- not to be used in cold weather or any snow.

You have an All Season tire right now that isn't really meant for performance driving or for much snow.

Your rims are 15x5.5"

Your current tire is 175/65-15 but you can use other size tires and still do well- consider 185/65-15 or 195/60-15.

Any all season tire that works well in cold weather or light snow would work for you but the ContiWinterContact tires you mentioned don't come in 15" sizes, in fact they don't come in sizes at all to fit the MINI, they are too tall.

If you keep your stock rims you can use a High Performance All Season tire on them and get another set of dedictated winter wheels and tires from tirerack that will work for snow. You just need to switch them in the fall and spring and store them.

If having another set of wheels for winter is not OK then you'll have to pick an All Season that truely is four season- talk to Alex about that and tell him what sort of winters you face.

In 185/65-15 for HPAS tires-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...r=15&type=HPAS
See
BFGoodrich Traction T/A H

In 195/60-15 for HPAS tires-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...r=15&type=HPAS
See
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S

 

thanks! I've been thinking about going with the YokohamaAvid TRZ All Season Standard Touring in the 185 / 60 / 15 size. Basically when you add 10 to the width you always subtract 5 from the height so 185/65 would not be as good as 185/60.....

The reviews I've seen on this tire look pretty good. Check it out?

http://www.mavistire.com/ProductCart...ls.asp?id=7604

 

Stock tire is 175/65-15, fits rims 5-6", 24" tire diameter although 16" and 17" tires are 24.3" tire diameter.

Normally 185/60-15 could be used except in this case while it does fit the stock rim, it is a little smaller than stock tire diameter at 23.8".

An alternative size would be-
185/65-15 fits rims 5-6.5", 24.5" tire diameter, decreases wheel gap, only a little taller than stock 24.3".
195/60-15 fits rims 5-7", 24.2" tire diameter
205/55-15 fits rims 5.5-7.5", 23.9" tire diameter

Yokohama Avid TRZ is fine. 700 treadwear
Either 185/60-15 $64 each, less weight, more wheel gap.
or 195/60-15 $66 each.

Another choice would be
General Altimax HP Grand Touring All Season tire
185/60-15 $58 each 440 Treadwear
195/60-15 $55 each

If you don't mind a bit of wheel gap then 185/60-15 can work and does give you a good selection of possible All Season tires.

 

Thanks for all the help. I think I'm going to stare at this for a little before making a decision!

I wonder what most size most people go with? My only gripe with 195 and 205 is that the wider the tire is the worse it will be in the snow...(although it has better grip in the dry season) and then I guess the choice becomes 185/65 15 at 24.3" vs. 185/60 15 at 23.8 ....either way it's 0.5" difference between the two and Yokohama doesn't make it in a 185/65 15 so I guess it'll have to be 185/60 15.....