I'm trying to decide on new tires for my 2006 MCS. This is my daily driving car, and I live in Chicago so I do have to deal with some snow. I've done the winter and summer tire changing, but I want to go with an all-season tire. I'm going to get new rims too (too many potholes!) - but my budget is limited. At tire rack, I'm considering the Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT vs. the Yokohama AVID ENVigor ZPS.

Alex - I've seen your post from earlier this year that you think the Potenza is the best run flat. Is this still your thought?

Can anyone provide their experiences with these two tires - especially handling and tread wear?

Thanks!

 

Bridgestone potenza RE960AS runflats (Ultra HP All Season tire) are your best option

195/55-16 $145, 25 lbs each
205/45-17 $185, 22 lbs each

Treadwear 400

Both are in runflats and will give 3 season use. Light snow OK.
If you are also buying wheels then you have the option of
16x7 wheels and moving to the 16" tire which has a taller sidewall and more protection from potholes and a little smoother ride.

16" wheels will weigh less, cost less, add comfort for street use.

Yokohama Avid ENVigor ZPS (High Perf All Season)
not as good overall as the RE960AS
Tirerack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=164

195/55-16 $142 closeout, 25 lbs each
205/45-17 $199, 24 lbs each

Treadwear 560

 

Thanks for your reply. I had not considered going to 16", but it seems to make sense. I see the Potenza in 205/55RF16 are only $125. Is there any issue going up to this size?

The wheels I am considering are the Sport Edition CE which has a 40mm offset.

Thanks!

 

We're the Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT on sale at a pretty decent discount just a few weeks ago?

 

I think you meant 195/55-16 and it is fine to use that size for your MCS using 16x7.5" wheels with 40mm offset.

You save $10 and 2 lbs each wheel in the Sport Ed CE just by using 16x7.5 vs 17x7.5

You have the early built MCS in 2006 with 12mm bolts or a later built MINI with 14mm bolts?

Sometimes wheels are made for 12mm bolts and not 14mm.

When you use tirerack's upgrade garage you input the production date of your MINI in that year to correct for the wheel bolt size.

 

No, I mean the 205/55RF16 which is listed at $125 each, rather than the 195/55RF16 which is $145 each.

Will the 205/55RF16 work? What is the advantage to pay more for the 195/55-16?

Thanks!

 

OK, both sizes will fit for 16x7.5" wheels and stock suspension but they are not equal-

195/55-16 $145, fits rims 5.5-7" wide, perfect fit 6" rim, 25 lbs, tread width 7.1", tire diameter 24.4", W speed rated, 87 load rated

205/55-16 $125, fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide, perfect fit 6.5" rim, 28 lbs, tread width 7.2", tire diameter 24.9", H speed rated, 91 load rated

The fit of the tire on the Special Edition wheel of 16x7.5 is better with the 205/55-16 size but, this tire is heavier by 3 lbs which can affect handling, braking distance and acceleration, it is 0.5" taller in tire diameter- gives 2% error in speedo (faster) and odometer, load rating for both are fine but greater load rating will allow more hauling capability in the car, and H speed rating vs W means if you drive on the street both are fine but under track or driving school use a W rated tire handles speed and heat generated better. 205/55 has a slightly taller sidewall, slightly better for comfort but both are runflats so pretty stiff.

Overall lower price is offset by more weight and taller tire diameter which limits clearance if you decide later to lower your MINI. Both are OK for you, your choice.
3 lbs doesn't sound that much for weight but it is in a sensitive area on the wheel so if all were equal less weight is better for performance. If you drive only speed limit then weight difference will not be significant for you.

Appearance wise given your wider than stock wheels, the wider tire will look more aggressive but a little oversized. A wider tire will also affect the contact patch, slightly better grip on cornering or in the wet but more rolling resistance and slightly lower mpg for daily use.

 

Thanks for taking the time to explain this - I did not realize all the differences between the two. Very informative for me - and you clearly show the trade off between the two sizes.

For me - the taller sidewall with a little better ride and better protection on the potholes, and saving $80, is probably more important that the added weight and speedo impact.

I will be ordering my tire and wheel package from Tire Rack soon. Thanks again for all the great info.

 

Decided to go with the 16" wheels and 205/55 tires - ordered from Tire Rack and they were delivered in only a couple of days. Since the size was "non-standard", they sent me a message to call them and confirm my order. I told them that the mod on NAM already gave me great info, and I was ok with my non-standard size.

I've had them about a month now, and I can tell you that I am very pleased with these tires and wheels. The ride is much smoother than my 17" with 45 series tires. I was surprised at how much the sidewall improved the ride, and I am glad I made the change. The look is a little different without the very low profile, but it still looks great.

Thanks to minihune for all the great information - it is great to make an informed purchase!

 

You are very welcome.

I am glad that you were able to get wheels and tires that worked for you.

If ever you want to have multiple sets of wheels then the 17x7+" with 205/45-17 tires in an extreme or Max Performance summer class non runflat would be a nice change to bump up performance. I see all your list of mods.