Just bought an '03 S, and, after the third storm up here in the NY burbs, I ordered Blizzaks for the 16 inch wheels. Should have them on very soon, at least by Saturday. So.....My question is, what tire should I buy for the other eight months out of the year? I was pretty happy with the original (yes, original - the thing only had 15000 miles on it) Dunlop 6000 (?) run flats on it for all conditions besides snow, except, of course, the fact that they were (are) run flats. Very nice wet traction. I'm wondering if I really need an "all season" design, since I will have the snows on from December to late March. But, I don't want some gonzo race tire that will freak me out in the wet and turn to shreads in 15000 miles. My girlfriend has a Miata, which is quite a handful in bad weather, and we put Yokohama Avids on it last year (a model they don't make anymore, but very similar tread to the ENvigor) and it was a very nice all around improvement for an everyday car. But, I'm thinking that I don't have to play it so safe and be a little bolder with the front drive Mini.

What say you all? What's a good value that will make me smile when I go fast, even when it rains?

Oh, btw, I'm sticking with 16 inch wheels. the 17 inch low profiles are asking for it in pothole land around here. The Miata has been through four wheels in 75000 miles.

Thanks.

 

I'm happy with my Hankook V12s for summer tires.

 

I plan to go 16's for this spring coming in my MCS, looking at 225/45/16 BFGoodrich KDW's. In this size they're 1/3 of an inch smaller than stock (miniscule and won't mess things up much, but they have quite a bit larger of a grip area - about 20mm) - 215/50/16 is exactly the same diameter as stock, with a little more rubber touching the ground.

Other than that, I've had excellent luck with Yokohama S.Drives, Toyo T1R and Proxie 4's, and Continental ContiPro Contact 3's.

 

Since you have dedicated winter tires, a summer tire may be a good idea. You will get superior traction, and you won't have to worry about snow and things like that. Take a look at the Conti DW, or DWS for an all season. I had Firestone Firehawk wide ovals and they were pretty darn good. I'm running Mich Pilot Sport A/S+, they are all season and are doing very well in the snow, they do great in the rain, and did well what little I had them on while it was warm. I'm looking forward to pushing them this summer to see how well they do, and I assume they will do quite well.

 

You'll get hundreds of opinions on individual tires from others who are more informed on the topic, but yes I would agree with dwebber18 above me and say yes, go ahead and get a summer tire. I am in the same boat as you, I have Falken Espias right now and am shopping around for a dedicated summer tire. I live in a wet climate and have been assured that they will all perform in the rain as long as you get a Summer tire and not a TRACK tire. Good luck!

 

Cool blog, or, whatever you call it, WHR3. Bookmarked for future reference.