A further update...after 4 weeks it appears I am getting some very minor rubbing from the (215/45/17) front tires when braking and turning simultaneously (for example, if I'm turning left and braking, the right front strut will compress to the point that there is some minor rubbing). No apparent damage to the car nor the tires, and it happens rarely. It also seems like it might be related to tire pressure....I have been running 35 lbs., but with 40 lbs. I've never heard the rubbing at all. I may go back to 38 or 40 lbs. At 35 lbs. the handling may be just a bit too mushy for my taste.

 

thanks for sharing. i think for any of us rubbing a bit alarming. i run 40psi and haven't noticed anything but will keep my, ear(?) out

 

Had Koni FSD's installed but felt no night and day difference in comfort.

Only 2,500 miles on the new MINI. The Michelin man just called and said my tires are in. Ditching the 195/55/16 Conti runflats tonight for 205/55/16 Michelin Primacy MXV4's. Hope to feel a big difference over the bumps, and less road noise. Any handling loss won't be noticed, since our idea of spirited driving is 60mph in a 40mph corner or occasional 80mph straight-way speeds. Nothing near a MINI's capabilities.

Will report back after a few hundred mile drive over Chinook Pass tomorrow……

Edit:
Prelminary report - Wife noticed the improved ride before she got out of Discount Tire's driveway! Took the MINI out to dinner and for the first time focus was not on missing every bump, rather just driving and enjoying the ride!

NIGHT and DAY difference!

Kudo's to Discount Tire, ordered in the Primacys with no deposit, installed in 1/2 hour, torqued wheels correctly, matched best online price I found ($8 less a tire than TireRack), paid $30 a tire in trade for the OE Conti's with 2,500 miles on them. They fill the tires with nitrogen as a standard practice to boot.



Trip report update:
Took first trip on the Primacy MXV4s today, 300 miles over Snoqualmie to Yakima and back over Chinook Pass - Not the best roads for MPG - Great for bumps and curves. Great ride comfort - less noise - and the icing on the cake even over these roads ... 36.5 MPG! Previous trip on the Conti's to Pullman and back 33mpg.

 

How have peoples experience been with these in the snow? I'm headed back up to Michigan in a couple of weeks and am debating whether to put on 16" snow tires or keep my 17" DWS's on.

Have people had good traction in deep now, light snow, ice?

 

Had to drive in 3-4" of powder snow the other day, and I thought they were pretty decent. My tires have about 6000-7000 miles on them. Then again, in my experience the Mini has always been a decent snow car to begin with. Prior to this, all my snow experience was with summer run flats, and I have to say that it was not horrible even with the absence of all season tires.