Wow, Just took a peek at the tirerack test results of the Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 (found as OEM tires on a Lotus Elise). Great wet track handling, wet braking and cornering,wet slalom and lap times. Would make for an excellent wet autocross or wet track tire that doubles as a street tire.
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=ADVAN+Neova+ AD07

Makes me want to try a set out or buy an Elise.
Alas the selection of tire sizes was not really great for the MINI.

225/45-17 is possible but runs a little large for me at 24.9" outer tire diameter. Wonder if I could shave them down to 24.6"?????

W speed rated, 25 pounds, 180 tread wear (who cares when tires are that sticky)

Alex,
Any idea if other sizes will appear that would be MINI friendly????
215/40-17 or 215/45-17 maybe? I'd even take 205/40-17.
Why do I see two tires listed in 225/45-17, one for $175 and the other "Lotus" version for $225?

 

I think the Lotus-specific Neova's have a slightly different compound than the Neova's made for general consumption. The Lotus tires can be identified by a small "LTS" embossed in the tires' sidewalls.

I have experience with both the MINI and the Elise. In all but the most intense driving, the MINI is just as much fun on the street.

Hope this info helps. :smile:

 

yeh, I was looking at those but only very limited sizes.

kinda reminded me of the AzenisSports.

 

I wonder why tirerack is not bringing the 215/45/17 size which is available in japan..
I had a imported set of 205/45/16 on my miata and it's the best tire I've ever had.

 

I'm hoping that more sizes will arrive at some point.

Goose,
Thanks for the LTS explanation (different compound=softer rubber? and one pound lighter for $50 more.) But the specs on the two in that size are essentially identical.

MINI and elise- just as much fun in either? Nice to hear. It's tempting to want to track and autocross an Elise but in my area that means double the purchase price and much much much higher insurance.


Heck, for fun on a budget with lowest insurance and best mpg the stock MC with light rims and wider performance tires would be great on the street. In fact at autocross the stock Elise in SS is at a distinct disadvantage to a stock MC with R compound tires on stock rims. I'm in SM class with my MCS and find that to make up the PAX handicap difference I have to drive a 60 second course 6+ seconds faster than a H-stock MC!

Until AD07 come out in sizes I can try I guess I will just have to sit on the sidelines and keep drooling.

 

Happy to help with any Elise questions you may have. Here's a little info on the Advan AD07's from Yokohama's Thailand website. (I hope this isn't the same info on the Yoko USA website. Sorry if it's the same stuff.)

ADVAN Neova AD07 info

Enjoy!

 

Hi,

I'm from Thailand, AD07s are what I'm using. They are the stickiest street radial you can get, period. Mine's are 215/45R17 on my LM and 205/50R16 on my stock X-Lite.

 

As mensioned the ADVAN brand is slowing comming to the USA. All the current Neova AD07's are tall for a mini. 205/50/17 or 225/45/17 currently.

Alex