MINI Tire choice

My CooperS will need some new tires in the spring. It's got some Kumho ASXs on it that have been on it for four years and I've been pleased with them. I don't autocross ,or track day it, so I need something that's competent , but above all quiet. I say that because I've had 3 or 4 sets of tires over the years that featured a chevron tread pattern and they all hummed like crazy as they worn down,so I tend to avoid any tire with that type of pattern. Am I nuts, or should I consider some of the current offerings? What tires are other MINI owners running and would recommend? All my wheels are 16",too, so something in a 205/50/16, or 195/55/16.

I put Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 on my '03 S last summer. They're loads better than the Yoko ? that were on it last. Even with several thousand miles on on them, they were better than whatever model Conti's that come on new Clubmans (Mom had one). I'm really impressed with how they behave in the rain, too. I've got an aftermarket (louder) exhaust on mine, so I can't hear the tires too much. The kicker is that I've got 17" wheels and the 16" versions they have are 205/55-16 or 225/50-16.

I've been really pleased with the Yoko S.Drives for a daily driver tire. It does have a chevron pattern, but I've never noticed excessive tire noise (no loud exhaust either). It's technically a summer tire, but I've never noticed a dramatic loss of traction in winter. That said, I'm in Georgia and you're in Michigan so YMMV. Also, it's doubtful you'd get 4 years out of them if that's what you're looking for. They're waaaay stickier than ASXs though.

If you like em, you may want to stick with them. Seem like a pretty decent tire. I had the Kumho SPT on there and really liked those too. The SPT was not available last time I got tires and I wound up on some Bridgestone Potenza 760 Sport. They are OK but not as good as the SPT in the wet. Better max dry grip than the Kumho SPT but I don't need that very much in the Mini as it is a daily driver more than anything else.

All that said about the SPT, the Hankook Ventus V12 sounds like an awesome tire. That was on my shortlist when I got the Bridgestones but were out of stock.

I hated the ASX on my VW, but if you like them, they seem to be ok.

We have Star Specs on the 'vert, but it's a summer only car, they are a bit noisy, and they aren't the best in the rain. Unfortunately, 16" tire options for MINIs are limited.

My wife's '03 Cooper S on 17's has had Bridgestone Potenza G 019's on it for the last ~18 months, and we've been happy with them as daily driver tires. They came recommended by the local tire dealer we use. Much quieter and are wearing better than the Kumho's we previously had on it.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+G+019+Grid&partnum=045VR7G019&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Mini&autoYear=2003&autoModel=Cooper%20S&autoModClar=

I wouldn't hesitate buying them again.

My dad has the new Ecsta 4X (KU22) on his '02 S and likes them a whole lot. Much better tire than the Ecsta AST that we had on his Neon before that.

In reply to Matt B: I got 4 years out of the ASXs, but that amounts to only 30,000 miles on the car and I run snow tires for 3 or 4 months each year, so there's probably only 20,000 on them.

Ok, well in that case you'd probably get around the same mileage out of the S.Drives, maybe a little less. For how sticky they are, I've been impressed with how long they've lasted (just started my 3rd set between the Integra and the MR2 - treadwear is around 300 iirc). Also, if you have a dedicated set of winter shoes, then I'd be even more tempted to go with something more aggressive than the ASX.

There are certainly faster tires out there, but the S.Drives offer the balance of grip, life, price, and dare I say it, comfort that I want out of a daily driver. As a bonus point, they don't fall on their face at autocross either. I would gander that the sidewalls are actually pretty soft compared to most "high performance summer" tires, but that's also what makes them a bit more forgiving over potholes, road noise, etc. The compound seems to make up for it and adding a few more psi seems to mitigate any squirming when I want to really push the car.