Greetings,

I purchased a 2005 MCS about a month ago, knowing it needed new tires. Right now it has Bridgestone Potenza REO50A Pole Positions on it. They seem to work perfectly fine for me. I was going to replace them with the same tires, but it appears the Pole Positions are no longer available.

I've got a long drive planned at the end of next week and want to have the new tires before I leave, so I need to make a decision quickly. I know tires have been discussed like crazy on here but I'm hoping for some simple advice / opinions on two tires only to help me make my decision.

First, I'm looking at simply putting another set of Bridgestone Potenza REO50A's on the MINI. These would be non "pole position" tires, but I am assuming they are similar.

Second, I'm looking at the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tire. This seems to be a newer tire with fewer reviews. I'm intrigued by it because it has a 45,000 mile treadwear warranty which seems like a crazy long time for a sport tire like this.

Pricewise, they are about the same. Does anyone have experience / opinions / info on these two particular tires? If it is at all helpful, the MINI is a daily spring / summer / fall driver and will not be driven at all in the winter. I may take it to the track occasionally, but have not done so yet.

Any help anyone can provide would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

There are only about a gazillian post about tires for Mini Cooper on NAM.
You didn't say anything about cost, milage, etc. so we are guessing what you might be interested in.

That said...Look at the tire surveys on TireRack and do a sort by Mini. The complaint about the Michelin is that people notice a loss in gas milage which is why I didn't get them. Got the Potenza RE960AS Pole Position instead and they are really good for an all season. Not sure I would take those on the track but really good. Another option is Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec, very popular with the performance minded.

 

Thanks Eddie! I know there are a gazillion posts, which is why I was trying to narrow it down to these two tires. Seems they are pretty close. I didn't realize you could sort on Tirerack. I will try that too.

 

You're considering apples versus oranges; a maximum performance summer (in Tire Rack terms) tire versus an all-season tire. What you have on the car now are also maximum performance tires, so the 050As would be more similar to what you have than any all-season tire. With the Michelin A/S tire you'd give up some dry warm weather traction in exchange for longer wear and better nasty weather traction.

Tire Rack has more than enough tire info to help you choose what kinds of compromises you prefer; maybe enough info to make your head explode.

 

205/55-16 and 215/45-17 are still in stock at Tire Rack:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....+Pole+Position