My 2011 Mini came with Continental M*S radial 175/65R/15 84H tires. What does this mean? I have 16000 miles on them and they are showing wear.

My driving conditions in northern michigan are varied as you can imagine. I do put Doris away for the winter but would like something that if we get the freak storm in october or early november or in the spring, late march or april, i would like to feel comfortable driving in these conditions (i now feel i am taking my life into my hands if we get a little snow or ice).

I would like a quiet, comfortable ride that still corners well as we have many winding roads up here made for Mini Fun. I like speed (have had her up to 125) but not often, as i would like to keep my license She is driven daily 30 miles to work. I do love getting 39 mpg.

I know very little about tires and would appreciate any help on different tire sizes and brands to use. Am I correct in assuming the "R" is for run flat tire? If you switch to non run flat tires does that mess with the tire monitor system? I would like a tire that will last longer. These days price is always an issue but I want the best tire for the best price. I look at tires as an investment in safety as well as fun.

 

Switching to non run flat tires will not mess with the TPMS. Just changed my run flats to non run flats hoping I get more miles on them as my run flats lasted me 20k. Run flats are also heavier so you might get better mileage switching to non run flats. I have already noticed better mileage from Dorothy.

 

You don't have run flats. 175 is the width in mm. 65 is the side wall height in percentage of width. 15 is the diameter of the wheel. "R" means radial construction.

Based on your description, I would go with these:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....TRAS&tab=Sizes

 

You have standard tires on you mini....on just-a-coopers, there is a spare....
Depending on your driving style, a touring tire...similar to what you have would give you decent snow performance.... And keep your ride quality...might even get a bit more miles....
The choices in the stock mini tire size is limited...
175 is the width...65 is the height..... R means radial...15 is the diameter of the rim....and 84 is the weight limit code....H is the code for speed rating (v on an S).
runflats are generally on S's and base coopers with optional 16+ rims...they say DSST or something to that effect on the sidewall....each of the companies that make self supporting sidwall technology's that make runflats for the mini use a different name...but they fit on regular rims.

 

Thanks, just found the spare( and yes I can see you guys rolling your eyes, I've been having too much fun driving "Doris" then sweating the details). I see on other tire posts talk about 205 and 215, and different heights. What is the difference in performance with different size tires?

 

shorter sidewalls (the 2nd number) make the ride rougher but the car more responsive. Wider tires (the first number) make the car grip better around corners but go too wide and you'll have problems with rubbing. I believe the S uses a 205 as the factory width tire.

 

A lot of Justa owners have turned to Bridgestone Potenza tires with great success. If you are planning on running these year round, be sure you have a all season tire, a lot of the 205/50r15's are summer only. They also, handle great, are much stiffer riding and don't like potholes. Look into Grid G019's for a good all-around tire, on sale 20% off right now at Firestone stores.

 

So let's see if I'm understanding this. If I go with a 185 or 195 width I get better cornering, more grip? And if I go with a 60 or 65 height I get the same or better responsiveness? Will a wider tire fit my stock rims? I do store the car for the winter, we just get too much snow up here but I would love to stretch my season a few weeks on each end.

 

Wide tires give more grip in turns....but can slow a lower HP car....cost mpg...and make steering heavy...that and the OEM 5.5 rims are limited in width...the max tire width is limited with stock rims to about a 195...some can do wider...depends on the stiffness of the tire sidewall....the manufacture has suggested max rim width. Wide tires do hydroplane more in rain...and will do worse in snow unless they are snow tires.

 

Tires have a stat in each size...
Rpm or revolutions per mile....or outer diameter.
Stick close to stock...or you speedo will be off....as will your Gearing....

 

My speedo is already 5mph higher then actual compared to my GPS which I believe given the the fact I haven't been pulled over yet with the GPS reading 64 and the speedo reading 69. Our police usually won't pull you over if you are less then 10 mph over.

 

For your current OEM 175/65-15 size tires they are slightly smaller in tire diameter than other MINI OEM sizes like 195/55-16 or 205/45-17. This gives your tires about a 1.8% slower speedo reading or about 58.9 mph vs 60 in other tire sizes.

Your wheels are 15x5.5" and can accept other tire sizes easily all the way up to 205mm such as 205/55-15.

In general for use in summer and some cold weather, you will do better with All Season tires. Since you have a MINI you can choose a tire that will also give you excellent dry and wet handling. The best handling class of All Season tire is Ultra High Performance All Season. This class is a good starting point when shopping for a MINI whether it is a base Cooper or an S. They may cost a little more but it's worth it.

In Ultra High Performance All Season tire class, with
195/60-15 as a target tire size (very close to stock size and fits fine):
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS $90 each, 400 treadwear

If you want a great all round tire that lasts longer then-
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus (Grand Touring All Season tire)
$94 each, 600 treadwear
Tirerack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=166
Or
Michelin Primacy MXV4 (Grand Touring All Season tire)
$115 each, H speed rated, 620 treadwear

If you want a tire that offers a smooth, quiet ride with good mpg, and longer treadlife on a budget then-
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 (Grand Touring All Season), 480 treadwear
175/65-15 $81 each, more narrow gives less rolling resistance
195/60-15 $82 each
see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=155
The strength of this tire is in saving fuel, with a comfortable and quiet ride, it does handle light snow well, but it is not as crisp on handling.

On a budget a tire worth considering that is better than the Bridgestone Grid 019 in High Performance All Season class is-
Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 480 treadwear
185/65-15 $59 each, 24.4" tire diameter same as OEM
195/60-15 $58 each, 24.1" tire diameter
Tirerack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=129
Or also in High Performance All Season class-
Yokohama AVID ENVigor 560 treadwear
185/65-15 $65 each, $60 Visa prepaid card offer
195/60-15 $66 each

All prices are current at tirerack.com , contact Alex@tirerack.com for more info.

 

Thanks for all the helpful info.