So I've moved to Dallas after living in Houston pretty much my entire life. Before it was 95 degrees 10 months out of the year, now I actually get four seasons, and a chance of snow!

So I'm in need of 17" tires for my 2011 JCW. I've been considering the Michelin Pilot Super Sports, and this thread seems to rave about them:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...m-in-love.html

Thing is, I'm worried about running those in Dallas. It can get pretty cold here from what I understand, and will snow a few times. My dad expressed concern too, saying that they'd be dangerous even when it was simply cold or wet out.

I want the best tires I can run year-round. Michelin also has a "Pilot Sport A/S Plus", which seems to be the same only slightly cheaper and all-season instead of summer.

First and foremost, opinions of the type of tire and safety? Second, specific suggestions with weather in mind? I won't lie I'm kind of partial to Michelin or Goodyear.

Now for the other part of this question, 205 or 215? One is a lot cheaper than the other. I currently have a stock suspension, but am considering having a dealer install the JCW Suspension, or getting another stiffer aftermarket suspension. Is there anything I need to know if I decide to go with 215s instead of the Mini-recommended 205s? And as far as installing them goes, will they just pop right on despite being the "wrong" width?

Any help is appreciated. I've had it with these Dunlop run-flats that came stock on the car, and they have finally worn out!

 

If you look at monthly average temperatures in Nov through Feb it could be at or under 40s.

Using an All Season tire would make the most sense.
Wet months tend to be May/June and Oct.

205/45-17 and 215/45-17 are possible sizes for you on stock 17x7 wheels no problem.

Handling and comfort will be determined more by the tire model you select vs the tire size.

You didn't mention your budget.

These Ultra High Perf All Season tires are worth a look-

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS (best overall choice)
215/45-17 $145, 400 treadwear, 24 lbs
Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=165

Continental ExtremeContact DWS (Decent and good value/treadwear)
205/45-17 $120, 540 treadwear, 20 lbs
215/45-17 $119, 20 lbs

General G-Max AS-03
205/45-17 $112, 480 treadwear, 18 lbs
215/45-17 $112, 22 lbs

Kumho Ecsta 4X (best value and decent handling)
205/45-17 $103, 420 treadwear, 20 lbs
215/45-17 $107, 21 lbs
Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=151

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
205/45-17 $166, 500 treadwear, 22 lbs
215/45-17 $123, 22 lbs

Yokohama ADVAN S.4.
215/45-17 $164, 400 treadwear 24 lbs

 

it was 29F early this am, my first time motoring below freezing on the summer tires ... i am very glad it was dry because they were very slippery until they and the temp warmed up

on the other hand, i did a very nice 4-wheel drift turning left from the side street onto the 4 lane divided highway (DTC mode)

winters going on tomorrow

scott

 

A Consumer Reports test last year rated the Pirelli P-Zero Nero A/S and the Cooper RS3-A tied for first in Ultra High Performance tires. That is one of the reasons I decided to give the Coopers a try. Having run summer tires below 40 degrees before, I have decided to have a second set of tires for winter! I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the Coopers. Turn in is fantastic! Grip is pretty amazing to for an all season tire. Ride and noise are good, but wet traction is just average. In the dry though, it's a pretty fun tire for an all season!

 

Pirelli P Zero Nero All season (no 17" tire size for the MINI)
tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=165
It's an older tire now surpassed by Bridgestone Potenza RE-970AS
by a large margin

Cooper tires limited in availability in some areas.

 

I have the conti DWS which has over 10k miles on it right now. It has soft sidewalls so it does feel rather spongy but put in a little more tire pressure, perhaps 39 psi or so, and the turn in get more precise. I run the 215/45 17 size.

Looks like the mini is your. Only car so all seasons do make sense.

 

The only problem with the RE-970's is that their load bearing is much higher and are much heavier (only available in 215 width and 3 lbs heavier), which makes for a very harsh ride in the Mini (I know because I tried them and ended up exchanging them for the Coopers). Remember that the test car weighs a good 8-900 lbs more than a Mini. Again, since I have tried both tires back to back, I will say that the Mini feels far sharper and lighter with the Coopers than the Bridgestones, much more playful and far better ride!

 

Those Coopers have great reviews and are really cheap. Strongly considering them, but the price has me scratching my head...they are a LOT cheaper than the Michelins. Why?

And just to confirm, these exact ones will work right?
http://www.ntb.com/tires/sku-detail/...skuId=sku20528

 

Those are the correct tires, though not OEM size, they will fit. I did notice that the load index is higher on the 215 vs the 205 Cooper. The load index on the 215 is 91 vs 84 on the 205 and that will impact how the car rides. If it were me, I'd stick with the 205 size.

 

I live in Syracuse and run summer tires until Thanksgiving, then switch to Winter/Snow tires. Having been caught out a couple times in the cold /snow with the summer tires, I can recommend you NEVER run summer tires in the snow. ...and that's with my Quattro AWD Audi, can't imagine it with only 2 driven wheels.

 

+1

 

I'm stationed in North Dakota and running Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus. Seems to be doing fine for the low temperatures. I've driven them in 17 degree weather and they didn't slip. You just have to remember that cold tires will naturally have less grip.

 

Well I've kind of settled on the 205 Coopers, but can't find anyone in Dallas that sells them! Grrrrrr

 

Check out Bridgestone Potenza's RE970 A/S. Great performance tires, love the ride on them, it also has great traction and wonderful in the rain/cold weather. I bought them in a 205/55/16 but they are also available in 17's from what Discount Tire told me. Check it out, it wouldn't hurt.

 

http://us.coopertire.com/Customer-Ca...r-Locator.aspx

 

Should have lived in Michigan, where people run ultra high perf. summers (Bridgestone RE-01R) with nearly no tread throughout the year

 

Spoke too soon, the Discount Tire near my place offered to order them straight from Cooper for me.

Should be here Friday!

 

Discount tire was very good to me. When I ordered the Bridgestone RE970 A/S and couldn't stand the harsh ride, I figured I was stuck with them, but they took them back and exchanged them for the Coopers. They didn't even charge me for mounting and balancing again (which I fully expected to pay).