Hey everybody. Well, I did it. It replaced the Dunlop run flats with new Avon Tech M500 tires. I went from 195-55-16 to 205-50-16. I bought them from Tire Rack, $87/each. Alex from Tire Rack was a big help. Man, I can tell you the difference in the car's ride and handling is great. You don't feel every bump, pebble, manhole cover, or what ever on the road anymore. The ride is still on the stiff side but so much more compliant. There is no way I would ever go back to the run flats. Handling has also improved a lot too. The car just plain sticks, so much fun. You know with the run flats how you would go around a corner or bend or go over a small bump or imperfection in the road and the car would hop or jump a little. With the non-run flats it does not do that anymore, just sticks. Its almost like you are driving a different car. :smile: The Avon tires are great. The ride is quiet, smooth, with a nice level of performance.

 

paul's,
Thanks for your post on the M500, Avon Tech's Ultra High performance summer tire. It compares nicely with the Yokohama AVS ES100 in tirerack's tests-
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&...odel=Tech+M500
280 wear rating, W speed rated
Other good sizes for the MINI include 205/50-15 ($77 each) and 215/45-17 ($104 each).

Also from Avon is the M550 A/S, an All season Ultra High performance tire.
In tirerack's test the M550 compares with the Bridgestone Potenza RE-950.
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&...odel=Tech+M550
360 wear rating, W speed rated
Good sizes include
205/55-16 for $76 each
215/45-17 for $98 each
No tires in 15" size for the M550.

A word about speed ratings-

Below is a listing of common speed ratings:

S = 112 MPH, 180km/h
T = 118 MPH, 190km/h
U = 124 MPH, 200km/h
H = 130 MPH, 210km/h
V = 149 MPH, 240km/h
Z = 149 MPH, 240km/h and over
W = 168 MPH, 270km/h
Y = 186 MPH, 300km/h

The speed rating of any tire is a measurement of the top safe speed the tire can carry a load under specified conditions. It is also an indication of how the tire will handle at lower speeds. A higher rated tire will give you better traction and improved steering response even at 50mph.

Never mix tires with different speed ratings on your vehicle.

 

readpaul's s:
Congrats on the Avon Tech M500's. I'm planning on putting them on a new set of 16x7.5 SSR Comp's on our new S. The reviews on the TIRERACK website were excellent and yours is yet another endorsement. I say "new S", actually it's still theoretical - should be delivered maybe in March '05.