Conti DWS, soft sidewalls? Any other feedback?
#101
@MINIDave - glad to hear you avoided my mistake with the DWS and the Kumho Ecsta ASX maintain the Mini's sports car feel.
@jrcsh6: per the many posts here, I've increase my pressure to 40psi cold. Seems to make a difference, but still no where close to the original Mini sports car feel.
Hunter99 provided alignment specs which he claims "fixed" the wandering problem. I haven't tried this yet - trying to avoid sinking another $150 into this mess for alignments (set, and restore if no difference).
Let me ask again - has anyone else had success in using Hunter99's specs to fix their wandering problem?
@jrcsh6: per the many posts here, I've increase my pressure to 40psi cold. Seems to make a difference, but still no where close to the original Mini sports car feel.
Hunter99 provided alignment specs which he claims "fixed" the wandering problem. I haven't tried this yet - trying to avoid sinking another $150 into this mess for alignments (set, and restore if no difference).
Let me ask again - has anyone else had success in using Hunter99's specs to fix their wandering problem?
#102
I have spoken to two different tire experts on this and they say it is simply one thing...sidewall rigidity.
There is nothing you can do about that. I guess you could overinflate and see some improvement...but, ultimately these tires were designed for ride comfort and calm, comb-over styled driving inputs. Most over 50, most women, or those that bought the care for its 'cuteness' will love these tires over stock...most who bought the Mini for the driving experience will hate them. There is no other concise way to put it.
There is nothing you can do about that. I guess you could overinflate and see some improvement...but, ultimately these tires were designed for ride comfort and calm, comb-over styled driving inputs. Most over 50, most women, or those that bought the care for its 'cuteness' will love these tires over stock...most who bought the Mini for the driving experience will hate them. There is no other concise way to put it.
#103
#104
#106
there is that, but at the same time no pressure is going to overcome the sidewall rigidity. (ie the runflats...) there is a happy medium which is what i'm searching for now. i'm running 40psi and am fairly happy with it as it is.
at the end of the day these are too soft for my liking in performance but put up with them because the other 90% of the time, on indianapolis roads, they are brilliant. it's give and take for me. a little sport given for a LOT of comfort (and great price)
at the end of the day these are too soft for my liking in performance but put up with them because the other 90% of the time, on indianapolis roads, they are brilliant. it's give and take for me. a little sport given for a LOT of comfort (and great price)
#107
#108
#109
After reading all the posts here I took the gamble and just installed the Conti DWS' in the 215 size on my '03 MCS. I have them at 32 psi and just took them for their first ride. My last tires were Conti run flats (the best riding run flats I've tried) and WOW, what a huge increase in ride comfort! No more bone jarring run flat ride! IMO no significant change in normal (and even somewhat "spirited") handling, high speed (90-100 mph) highway handling was normal with no wandering, but the soft sidewalls are VERY noticeable when you push the car to its handling limits. So far I'm very happy with the tradeoff as I don't normally drive the car at 10/10ths. When I have more time I'll try increasing the tire pressure and see what happens. Thanks to all those who reported their findings before me. Need to go pick up a can of Fix a Flat!
Last edited by shark715; 08-13-2010 at 05:53 PM.
#110
#113
#115
After reading all the posts here I took the gamble and just installed the Conti DWS' in the 215 size on my '03 MCS. I have them at 32 psi and just took them for their first ride. My last tires were Conti run flats (the best riding run flats I've tried) and WOW, what a huge increase in ride comfort! No more bone jarring run flat ride! IMO no significant change in normal (and even somewhat "spirited") handling, high speed (90-100 mph) highway handling was normal with no wandering, but the soft sidewalls are VERY noticeable when you push the car to its handling limits. So far I'm very happy with the tradeoff as I don't normally the car at 10/10ths. When I have more time I'll try increasing the tire pressure and see what happens. Thanks to all those who reported their findings before me. Need to go pick up a can of Fix a Flat!
they are great for what they are. i sometimes regret not doing the pole 960as or the pilot sport as+ but at the end of the day. 50 miles commuting round trip on the crap streets in indy these are very good. i've found at about 90mph+ you HAVE to be on it or else you can get a little squirly with these being soft. that said, i'm regularly amazed at the grip.
for the money these are a good fit for me. i think the pilot as+ is probably the dream tire but at almost 200$ more for the set.
#116
After reading all the posts here I took the gamble and just installed the Conti DWS' in the 215 size on my '03 MCS. I have them at 32 psi and just took them for their first ride. My last tires were Conti run flats (the best riding run flats I've tried) and WOW, what a huge increase in ride comfort! No more bone jarring run flat ride! IMO no significant change in normal (and even somewhat "spirited") handling, high speed (90-100 mph) highway handling was normal with no wandering, but the soft sidewalls are VERY noticeable when you push the car to its handling limits. So far I'm very happy with the tradeoff as I don't normally drive the car at 10/10ths. When I have more time I'll try increasing the tire pressure and see what happens. Thanks to all those who reported their findings before me. Need to go pick up a can of Fix a Flat!
Last edited by shark715; 08-13-2010 at 07:01 PM.
#118
I have a relatively stock 2010 R55S that I have put about 3000 miles on so far. I’ve had a lot of fun doing a few minor mods already and I’m looking forward to a few more. I’ve come to dislike a number of things about the suspension and tire setup. First, I think I really hate the run-flats on this car. I had them on my last 2 528's and the impact on the ride and handling didn't bother me as much. On the Mini they are really harsh and really compromise handling. I feel the RF’s give up a lot of grip in both the turns and the braking. Getting rid of these tires will be my next change. I just purchased a Mini spare donut at a very good price and when I return from my trip I will be picking up a set of new tires.
I live in Metro NY area and I drive about 350 miles a week all over NY,NJ, CT. Basically the roads in this area range from OK to Horrible plus temperatures range from a low of -10 to a high this year of 105. We generally don’t get much snow around here and when we do I have another car that I would drive. I am looking at moving up to a 215/45 17 size to get a little more (very little more) rubber on the road. Also, I’m looking at either the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus or Continental ExtremeContact DW. I realize that the Michelins are an A/S tire and the Conti DW’s are a Summer tire but I'm not sure how the difference would reveal itself in the real world. Thoughts? I would consider others if they would be a better choice.
I am hoping that this change will improve the ride quality, handling, and braking performance attributable to the tires. I was hoping to elicit a little feedback from anyone who felt they had something to consider regarding the ideas i have or the choices I am looking at. So, this is what I’m thinking…any thoughts??
I live in Metro NY area and I drive about 350 miles a week all over NY,NJ, CT. Basically the roads in this area range from OK to Horrible plus temperatures range from a low of -10 to a high this year of 105. We generally don’t get much snow around here and when we do I have another car that I would drive. I am looking at moving up to a 215/45 17 size to get a little more (very little more) rubber on the road. Also, I’m looking at either the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus or Continental ExtremeContact DW. I realize that the Michelins are an A/S tire and the Conti DW’s are a Summer tire but I'm not sure how the difference would reveal itself in the real world. Thoughts? I would consider others if they would be a better choice.
I am hoping that this change will improve the ride quality, handling, and braking performance attributable to the tires. I was hoping to elicit a little feedback from anyone who felt they had something to consider regarding the ideas i have or the choices I am looking at. So, this is what I’m thinking…any thoughts??
#119
I have a relatively stock 2010 R55S that I have put about 3000 miles on so far. I’ve had a lot of fun doing a few minor mods already and I’m looking forward to a few more. I’ve come to dislike a number of things about the suspension and tire setup. First, I think I really hate the run-flats on this car. I had them on my last 2 528's and the impact on the ride and handling didn't bother me as much. On the Mini they are really harsh and really compromise handling. I feel the RF’s give up a lot of grip in both the turns and the braking. Getting rid of these tires will be my next change. I just purchased a Mini spare donut at a very good price and when I return from my trip I will be picking up a set of new tires.
I live in Metro NY area and I drive about 350 miles a week all over NY,NJ, CT. Basically the roads in this area range from OK to Horrible plus temperatures range from a low of -10 to a high this year of 105. We generally don’t get much snow around here and when we do I have another car that I would drive. I am looking at moving up to a 215/45 17 size to get a little more (very little more) rubber on the road. Also, I’m looking at either the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus or Continental ExtremeContact DW. I realize that the Michelins are an A/S tire and the Conti DW’s are a Summer tire but I'm not sure how the difference would reveal itself in the real world. Thoughts? I would consider others if they would be a better choice.
I am hoping that this change will improve the ride quality, handling, and braking performance attributable to the tires. I was hoping to elicit a little feedback from anyone who felt they had something to consider regarding the ideas i have or the choices I am looking at. So, this is what I’m thinking…any thoughts??
I live in Metro NY area and I drive about 350 miles a week all over NY,NJ, CT. Basically the roads in this area range from OK to Horrible plus temperatures range from a low of -10 to a high this year of 105. We generally don’t get much snow around here and when we do I have another car that I would drive. I am looking at moving up to a 215/45 17 size to get a little more (very little more) rubber on the road. Also, I’m looking at either the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus or Continental ExtremeContact DW. I realize that the Michelins are an A/S tire and the Conti DW’s are a Summer tire but I'm not sure how the difference would reveal itself in the real world. Thoughts? I would consider others if they would be a better choice.
I am hoping that this change will improve the ride quality, handling, and braking performance attributable to the tires. I was hoping to elicit a little feedback from anyone who felt they had something to consider regarding the ideas i have or the choices I am looking at. So, this is what I’m thinking…any thoughts??
#120
#121
As I stated earlier, I have driven on the Continentals and Michelin outweighed in performance in wet, dry and snow.Michelin Sport Pilot A/S on my Cooper S 205 50 16 it grips like no other.Most of all your not jarred all over in those damn run flats.They're also very quiet and you can definately hear the radio.If you read reviews on most Michelin tires, especially German cars ,you'll find most will give them an excellent review.
#122
Its also very difficult to draw comparisons between catagores, like UHPAS vs Max Performance.
Alex
#124
#125
If you are going to drive your MINI in cold weather you need all seasons or better yet winter tires. It is not only the snow that matters, it is also the cold that makes a performance tire unsuitable for winter use. When it gets cold the rubber compound will get hard on a UHP tire. They just won't stick.