My Dunlop Runflats are toast and I need helping picking summer tires for my 06 MCSc, stock 17 wheels. I'll probably go non-RF, but open to options. I run 16" non RF in winter. No problems so far.
I live in the Okanagan Valley in BC - so no straight roads; lots of potholes and gravel; little rain (but when it does it can come in torrents); and hot, hot summers. I'm not an agressive driver (too many deer and mountain sheep on the roads), and I figure 215/45 R17 sound better for our rougher roads. So what's a good tire that's not too noisy, will wear well and stick to the pavement in all these s-curves and mountains? Many thanks!

 

I love my Yoko Parada Spec II's, but they're noisy. I also hear very good things about the Yoko S-Drives, too.

 

Check out nexen n3000 I ordered some but haven't gotten them yet. I have heard very good reviews and they are very inexpensive. They seem to have a very similar tread pattern to the Goodyear Eagle f1 which are much more expensive. I got mine from td4l.com.

 

Goodyear Eagle F1. Best tire, screw the cost but they are cheaper than run flat replacements

 

i put kumho ecsta mx's on my car, they ride like a dream and have super low road noise, mine are 225/45/17 so they have a high sidewall so it will help with the pot holes. when you get one a mountain road thats where they would excell. once you get past the tread squirm they have amazing gripping power. my last set of these got me 15000 which is very good for a 220 treadwear tire

but i would definitly reccomend these as they are fairly cheap at right around 100 for a great performing tire

 

You're better off with a Ultra High Perf All Season tire if you care about comfort and wear. Many of the suggested tires are good performing summer tires that will tend to wear out much faster and get noisy.

See
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true

Depending on your budget you can start at the top and work down and cross check prices.

I think the Bridgestone RE960AS would be a good choice.
Pirelli PZero NeroM&S and Yokohama AVID W4S also worth checking.

Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season handles well but isn't as comfortable for daily driving.

In the same size you have some options in
High Performance All Season tires-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ireSearch=true

Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid
Yokohama AVID H4S

 

I would say that depends......for ride comfort and reduced noise, the 225/45/17 F1 GS-D3 is great, especially compared with a RF. Of course, saving $150 per tire is a big plus too.

But I completely disagree with their handling, on my stock suspension they feel very rubbery on turn in, you get push then you get over steer and back, just a very unhappy feeling. It feels like they're low on air when they're not. I have tried adjusting pressures several ways and none are happy. To get a solid feel you go up but then you lose grip not to mention bad wear patterns, go down and you're in the mush again. The feeling has greatly reduced my confidence. So, in this respect, I am very disappointed.

The GY RS-A RFs I had actually handled quite nicely, very solid turn in, very tight nimble feel at all times. It seemed that there was no body roll at all, with the F1s it feels like mush. True, the RFs tended to push a bit more than over steer but on the street, that generally means I'm going much faster than I should be (legally) anyway.

It seems to me that the MINI engineers would have chosen spring rates, dampers and sway bars with the RFs in mind, especially with the MCS since no spare would be provided. Thus, the suspension might be a little "soft" in anticipation of the very stiff sidewalls. Perhaps the Mod crowd fairs better with the F1s by altering those parameters to work with the tires ? Seems like most of the mod types, lower, increase rates and bar diameters.

I for one, will be looking to go back to RFs on my next set. I miss the feel and really, the tight bumpy ride is part of the MINI experience. If I want smooth and mushy......I drive the Mini-van.

To each his/her own.........

 

Goodyear F1 GS-D3 are hard to beat. The new F1 Asymmetric is EXCELLENT (and comfortable but with better turn in than the the GS-D3).

The F1 All-Season is excellent as well....not sure where the 'comfort' comment comes from...you can't have sharp handling AND squishy tires. Runflats are brutal....anything else will ride better.

 

Falken FK452 gets my vote.

 

I just sold a set. Horrible, no grip.

 

Perhaps they need a RF Asymmetric

Couple of other F1 GS-D3 comments

1) They pick up stones and throw them up on your door like there's no tommorow, not to mention the damn things getting stuck in the tread and go ticking down the road !

2) They are really good in the wet, almost like a completely different tire

3) The larger size fills the wheel well nicely

4) You will lose approximately 2 mpg just in the tires (even after the speedo error is figured in)

I went with the F1s because I was looking for a "hot" summer street tire that would improve my handling. In my case with the stock set up, I think I went backwards. That seems to be backed up with R56Ed losing time at VIR when he went from RFs to the F1s. Perhaps things will feel better in the summer.........

Again, for $150, smoother ride and less noise they're great.

 

Never had an issue with mine. I tested them several times in both wet and dry, temperatures hovering between 45-60.

 

I guess they're fine for leisurely driving and commuting. That's not how I judge a tire though

 

I have the GS-D3's... no problems... love 'em!
However, have Blizzacks for the winter.

 

for anybody interested, stock size 205/45/17 Bridgestone RE-01R's are on clearance for $88/ea (). All sizes are on closeout (and mostly sold out!!) to make room for the new RE011R click

I ordered (8) 265/35/18 :D

 

You have all given me some great options! (and many different opinions) My biggest concern (besides price and replacements) with RFs is the noise and availability - any flats and I have to order a new one from out of town. If I drive to the coast, it's 400K (250mi) of mountains and mostly no cell - even a RF may not make it. Even the guy at my local MINI dealer (50mi away) suggested non-RF for around here. But I do like the sticky feel. I can order from TireRack and pick up across the border if the price is better.