Know this question pops up occasionally but I'm going to ask it anyway :P

I'm looking at replacing my stock Goodyear runflats with non-runflats. My Mini is an '05 MCSCa with the 17 inch wheels. I'm not going to track the car and my priorities are (in order) durability, handling, ride.

TIA for any responses.

 

This question comes up regularly and has been answered many times over.

Search for-
205/45-17 or 215/45-17
General Exclaim UHP (Ultra High Performance Summer tire)
Falken Ziex Ze-912 (Ultra High Performance All Season tire)
Both are good value, durable, comfortable ride, good to OK handling vs other UHP tires.

Otherwise search at Tirerack.com (talk to Alex) for
205/45-17 for non runflats and pick a budget.
All Season tires will last longer and offer decent handling-
Consider Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season (costs a little more but handles well)

 

On Monday I had the original Dunlop runflats on my '06 MCS replaced with 4 new Falken Ziex 912 non-runflat tires. They were about $90 each at Sears. I think they can be had for even less ($70 or so) if you shop around...

They have a 40,000 mile warranty.

Difference in the way the car drives with the Falken Ziex (FZs) vs. the runflats: Much quieter ride, much "softer" ride, meaning bumps I used to drive over in the runflats were very harsh. With the FZs, the bumps have softened out a LOT. Handling seems to be similar to the runflats, which were actually decent in the handling department, I thought (although I don't drive aggressively so I probably barely push any tires to their "limits" to begin with). The FZs, although not runflats, seem to have a stiffer sidewall than most regular tires, which is good.

It's only been 4 days since having them installed, but I'm happy with the FZs. They look like they'd be great in the rain, which is something the Dunlops weren't so good at...seemed to hydroplane all too easy with the Dunlops. But it hasn't rained yet so I can't say for certain.

I just hope these FZs last longer than the Dunlops...geez, they wore out so quickly.


Rock on,
-boognish

 

Another vote for General Exclaim UHP, I just switch from the stock 16" GoodYear Runflat to 17" General Exclaim UHP and I can tell the ride is like 20% to 25% better and for $82 per tire (205/45-17), it's a no brainer.

O, I forgot there is a $50 rebate gift card if you get a set of 4 now

Just my 2 cents

 

Another vote for the General Exclaim UHP's. I've got about 5K on mine and I can't tell the difference in handling and the ride is not as harsh. Great $ also.

 

I have been doing alot of reading and talking to people lately as I have been considering the General Exclaims UHPs as well. I have pretty much the same order of things as far as what I am looking for and the Generals have come with very high regards from the owners I have talked with. The only complaint I have heard of was that the sidewalls are a little soft. They will roll over a little bit more than some of the slightly higher priced tires. But then again handling is second on your list so seems like a good fit. I'm picking up a set for the front this weekend. I will post back how they feel.

Oh and I am running 205/45R17 Ecsta AST's now and am switching to 215/45R17 instead. The ecsta was a great handler, shitty wear though.

 

I'm a little afraid of generals because I had some on an Olds a few years ago that lasted less than 15,000 miles. I've had good luck with Goodyear so the F1's are an option. Not familiar with Falken. Where would I get them and what's their story?

Thanks for all the responses.

 

I believe Falken are a Japanese tire. I have a set on my 07 MCSa, Ze912s. They have been very good for the winter season in Colorado, two long road trips one to Missouri, then a longer one to LV (AMVIV) and SoCal (3500+ miles).

Nice ride, good grip, pretty quiet, I have noticed as the miles get upward they are getting a little more road noise. Not bad, nothing like a new RF (ugh).

 

Falken Ziex Ze-912 (Ultra High Performance All Season tire)

is there a SUMMER performance tire from Falken?

 

Yes, the Falken FK452. Excellent summer tire.

 

I just got the Exclaim UHPs put on the front this afternoon. I haven't had a chance to put them through a good drive yet though. On the sharp turn-about freeway exit by my house I pushed it around it. Pretty much what everyone said, the sidewalls roll when you really push them super hard, but they compare pretty close my the Ecsta AST. I got the larger 215/45 instead of the 205/45 and the ride difference is HUGE! I did notice that the steering is a little heavyer, but very very slight. I want to check the air pressure on em too.

But so far I think they are good tires. We will see after I put some miles on em.

 

I also have an 05MCS and I have Yokohama S Drives 205/45ZR-17's and they are awesome tires I also just got Nitto Neo-Gen 215/40ZR-17's that I have not yet mounted, looking forward to getting them on later this month on a set of Dayton Wires.

 

Did some review reading on Tirerack today. Anybody used the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2's. Michelin have generally been my best bet in tires over the years.

 

I have heard great things about the Summer version, I have the Pilot Exalto AS on my Honda Fit Sport and think the sidewall is a little too soft. I think as a whole Michelin is a great brand.

 

This is the second summer season with these in 215/45/17 on my 06 MCS. I like the handling, grip. They seem to wear well also. I have 18,000 miles on the car, and the stock Goodyear all season runflats already need to be replaced (and they're not on all year). Think I'll go non-runflat for the winter.

 

Called Tire Rack and they recommended going up to 215/45/17 and came up with a recommendation of Kumho Solus (sp?) in that size.

 

Kumho Solus are all season tires. The Michelin mentioned are ultra high performance summer tires. Just depends on what you're looking for, AND how much you're willing to spend!

 

I love the Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S tires I put on a week after I got the car and the treadwear is looking really good after 13K miles. They've been great in both wet and dry conditions and held up well at an autocross day last month. I don't think they come up as a 'recommended' tire on Tirerack so I don't see many people talk about them here.

For high performance summer tires I recommend the top Michelin and Bridgestone Potenza tires over Goodyear but that's just personal experience talking. All of the great summer tires are going to excel in handling at the compromise of durability and ride quality though.

 

My priorities are about the same and I've tried several different tires since scrapping the run flats. The Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S I'm running now are just right for my MCC in 205/55/16. Handling is good, steering is responsive, ride is good, not expensive and NO noise which is a big deal with the top down. My dealer calls them "Goldilocks" tires--not too hard, not too soft but just right for the light weight MINI. Great looking tread as well. Top rated high performance A/S on Tirerack. I agree.

 

I second that emotion. I have the Pirellis and will replace them with the same. They now have 40,000 miles and still not down to the wear indicators. No track days or solos on them though. That said they are nice in the dry or wet but not really adequate on ice or snow. Fortunately I live only a couple of miles from work and can usually not go to work until the streets are clear.

The bottom line for me is that the Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S tires were light years ahead of the Goodyear runflats in performance, ride and noise.

Rich