I have 26k on the original Dunlops and it's nearing time to replace them. I've heard good things about the grip of the Yokohama AVS ES100's but I'm also looking for something to last me a while. Do these tires last as long or longer than the originals? My normal drive is a commute of 50 miles of mostly straight line driving. Boring commute, I know. I'm just looking for some tires, not runflats, that has just as good of grip or better than the original and hopefully last a little longer. Also, some that are quiet and very good in the rain. I do plan on doing another Dragon run and hopefully a Phil Whick driving school in a few months so some good traction will be required. One reason for getting new tires. I want them broke in good by the time the driving school comes up.

These are the ones I've seen mentioned:
Yokohama AVS E100, Kuhmo ECSTA Supra 712 and recently the BFGoodrich traction T/A V.

 

We need more information-

What size rims do you have? MC or MCS?

If MC or MCS with 16x6.5" rims then talk to alex@tirerack.com about the
Avon Tech M500 in 205/50-16 which offer good performance and good wear in a 16" tire for $87 each. See tirerack test results below.

If you have stock 15" rims then the BF Goodridge Traction T/A would be worth considering or the Avon Tech M500 in 195/55-15 for $73 each

If you have the stock 17x7" rims then consider-
Potenza RE750 340 AA A in 215/45-17 for $139 each or 215/40-17 for $149 each
It is a ultra high performance summer tire - wears better/longer but higher price
See this tirerack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/tests/avon_tech_m500.jsp

For the Kumho ecsta supra 712 it is less expensive but the ratings are not as high as the others mentioned above.
Does come in stock 205/45-17 280 AA A W speed rated for $91 each
Also 215/45-17 for $89 each and 215/40-17 for $88 each
Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/tests/uhp_give_you_more_charts.html
Less performance than AVS ES100 but lower price.

 

I totally forgot about that. Don't know what I was thinking.

I have an MCS with 16" and I plan to go from the 195/55 to 205/50.

 

S03 Pole position
http://www.tirerack.com/[font=Arial]a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/[/font]tires/tires.jsp&tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+S-03+Pole+Position&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=05WR6 S03PP&fromCompare1=yes

Tech M 500
http://www.tirerack.com/[font=Arial]a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/[/font]tires/tires.jsp&tireMake=Avon&tireModel=Tech+M500&vehicl eSearch=false&partnum=05WR6M500&fromCompare1=yes

Es100
http://www.tirerack.com/[font=Arial]a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/[/font]tires/tires.jsp&tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVS+ES100&ve hicleSearch=false&partnum=05WR6ES100&fromCompare1= yes

3 Great double duty choices in 205/50/16.

Alex

 

Thanks, Alex. I ordered a set of Yoko's tonight. I can't wait to see how they feel compared to the harder riding runflats. :smile:

 

As Alex mentioned for the 16" wheel in 205/50 all three of those are great dual duty choices.

Bridgestone Potenza Pole position S-03 (avail in 17" sizes) is a great performance tire wet or dry but has the highest cost and is the heaviest. Good street tire as well.
Best bet for autocrossing.

Avon M500 (not available in 17" sizes for the MINI) is an excellent newcomer and for overall value is quite good. A very good street tire. Most economic.

Yokohama AVS ES100 (avail in 17" sizes) mid priced, offers a good compromise between good performance, good street characteristics, good wet and dry traction. The only thing I found about them is that they don't last much more than about 20,000-22,000 miles even if you take care of them.
Solid choice and much much better than the stock runflats. (we did have one owner note that with the 16" size he found tramlining to be worse on California hwys but I have not found that to be true with my 215/45-17 Yokos)