1st Gen R53 Cooper S Tire choices

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Razone23, Oct 7, 2016.

  1. Razone23

    Razone23 Active Member

    Nov 3, 2013
    175
    27
    28
    technical support
    nothern CT
    Ratings:
    +27 / 0 / -0
    So I'm down to my last set of rock flats. And after investing on Koni FSD all new springs every possible bushing known known to suspension improvements I achieve a better ride,but I know the rock flats don't help. Oh I even got 09 seats that seem more comfy than my 06 seats. I'm going to conventional tires for next season. Looking for advice on what some of you are driving with.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  2. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

    Oct 27, 2015
    1,421
    670
    113
    IT
    Atlanta-ish
    Ratings:
    +811 / 0 / -0
    Pilot Super Sports are fantastic :)
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    Not in Northern Connecticut. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

    Our roads in the NE see winter as in reals snow and ice unlike Atlanta. :ihih:

    For NE you are better off going with Continental ExtremeContact DW or DWS if you are going to drive in the snow.

    DW = Dry Wet
    DWS= Dry Wet Snow
     
  4. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

    Oct 27, 2015
    1,421
    670
    113
    IT
    Atlanta-ish
    Ratings:
    +811 / 0 / -0
    #4 Qik, Oct 7, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2016


    In summer they will be great! :cornut:
    I always kept a set of winter tires and wheels and summer tires and wheels when I lived in the frozen north. Thought everyone over in the north east did the same. Just makes sense, AND you get to switch up your wheels twice a year :Thumbsup:
     
  5. Razone23

    Razone23 Active Member

    Nov 3, 2013
    175
    27
    28
    technical support
    nothern CT
    Ratings:
    +27 / 0 / -0


    Dave, this car doesn't get driven during winter at all. It's garaged. Should I still go with those tires?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  6. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

    Oct 27, 2015
    1,421
    670
    113
    IT
    Atlanta-ish
    Ratings:
    +811 / 0 / -0
    If you just drive it when it's nice out, stick with the Super Sports. They're a great tire you won't be disappointed. You'll get more understeer with A/S's, stay summer performance.
     
  7. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2012
    2,433
    879
    113
    Automotive Photographer
    Dallas
    Ratings:
    +1,059 / 1 / -0
    I've always been a Michelin fan. They are very consistently good tires, from my own experience.

    When I replaced the tires on my MINI, I saw a review of all-season sport tires, and The Michelin PilotSports were at the op, but TR rated a set of Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 tires as pretty much a tie with the Michelins, and at a much lower price. So, I gave them a shot. After almost two years, I'm very happy with them.

    I went with all-season, but Hankook has high-performance "summer" tires that might be worth some research.

    http://www.tirerack.com/tires/hankook-tires.jsp

    CD
     
  8. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
    20,844
    2,021
    113
    Retired
    Ratings:
    +2,974 / 6 / -5
    The beauty of all this discussion is that virtually no matter what tire you decide on they will be a lightyear better than the runflats you have on your car now.
     
  9. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 18, 2010
    7,820
    3,327
    113
    Retired CAL FIRE Battalion Chief
    The Great Irrigated Desert of Central CA
    Ratings:
    +3,328 / 0 / -0
    Michelin Pilot Super Sports. 215's are the best size for you. They are light years better looking and handling, and they will not rub.
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    #10 Dave.0, Oct 8, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2016
    I am not a fan of Michelin Super Sports at all. They cost way too much and they screech like hell in hard turns and DO LOOSE GRIP EASLY. I have had many Summer performance tires including Michelin SS, Conni DW, Goodyear F-1 something's, Yokohama S-drives, Kumo something's. Thie tires I like for ULTIMATE Summer grip are Dumlop StarSpecs.

    I have become a huge Dunlop StarSpec fan over the years. For how I drive and how hard I push them at the Dragon every year they are the best you can buy without going to R-Comps.
     
  11. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

    May 13, 2015
    984
    769
    93
    Madison, WI
    Ratings:
    +895 / 0 / -0
    I've been happy with Bridgestone RE760 summer-only tires on my car. Also seem to last quite well. Before that I had Khumo Ecsta 4x on the rims from the previous owner, which were pretty rough riding and didn't have the kind of grip the Bridgestones have. They are cheap, though. My son has some Conti all season tires on his R53 and the difference is night and day. All season tires suck in all seasons.
     
  12. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    YUP - :Thumbsup::lol:
     
  13. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

    Oct 27, 2015
    1,421
    670
    113
    IT
    Atlanta-ish
    Ratings:
    +811 / 0 / -0
    #13 Qik, Oct 9, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2016
    I'm assuming it's been a while since you had a set of PSS's. They've been recently redone and my experience is the exact opposite. They're quiet when near and at their limits, they don't break very easily,Comp 2's are loud compared to them and Comp 2's are quiet. The only issue I have with them is that they spin a tad easy when it's cold out but the all season RF's prior to them were worse no matter the temp. I have heard good things about the Star Specs, they're more performance/autoX oriented than the PSS's. They're prolly closer to the Pilot Sport Cup series for half the price.
     
  14. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2012
    2,433
    879
    113
    Automotive Photographer
    Dallas
    Ratings:
    +1,059 / 1 / -0
    All season tires are definitely a compromise tire. But, tire choices depend on usage.

    When I bought my MINI, it had a set of Kumho summer high-performance tires. They hydroplaned like a set of four waterskis. My current all-season tires are performing as well as the Kumho summer tires on dry pavement, and I don't have to white-knuckle the steering wheel in heavy rain. If I had another daily driver, and could just drive the MINI in good weather, I'd go full-summer -- probably.

    Also, small, lightweight cars are not as dry-grip sensitive as a power-pig like a Corvette. My Miata track toy could round a corner way faster than a vette or viper on 205 section width tires, while those other cars struggled to corner as fast with 305-plus section width tires. They would blow past me in the straights, and hold me up in the corners.

    Okay, I'm rambling, now. It happens when you get old. This post may not help the OP, but maybe someone else will get something out of it.

    However, to the OP, make sure you research all aspects of the tires. I can't live with a tire that is phenomenal on dry pavement, and crap in the rain, because right now, my MINI is my only car. Make sure your tire choice is a good match to how YOU will use YOUR car.

    Tire Rack has a lot of reviews on their site. They have their own test track. The customer reviews and ratings are pretty good, too.

    CD
     
  15. myles2go

    myles2go Active Member

    May 7, 2012
    589
    223
    43
    collecting a paycheck
    WI
    Ratings:
    +263 / 0 / -1
    I agree with Dave! I've used both the Conti DW and the DWS and highly recommend them.
     
  16. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

    Oct 27, 2015
    1,421
    670
    113
    IT
    Atlanta-ish
    Ratings:
    +811 / 0 / -0
    I've never heard anything good about Kumho besides price. Water performance was a HUGE factor in my decision on tires, I'm sure an A/S would be better, but when compared to a summer performance tire, the A/S's just aren't as good for any kind of performance oriented grip. All comes down to what you need/want in a tire.
     
  17. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Sep 30, 2011
    5,083
    1,762
    113
    Male
    Sales and Marketing manager
    Hilliard, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +1,763 / 0 / -0
    Since you're only driving it in the summer then you don't need an A/S tire. The Michelin Pilot Super Sports are a great tire from the people I know who have it. But I agree with Dave on the price. I put on the Conti DW and love them. The ride is great and the performance is just what I wanted. The price is better than the Michelin. My suspension set up sounds similar to yours.

    Here is a link to another thread on what people have and in what sizes. Mine are 215-45/17
    http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/brakes-wheels-and-tires/26107-what-tires-size-do-you-run-reference.html
     
  18. _iD

    _iD New Member

    Apr 5, 2014
    62
    23
    0
    Ratings:
    +23 / 0 / -0
    The first set of PSS are expensive, but after that when you keep wearing them out 1/3 of the way through their treadlife warranty, the pro-rated replacements become quite the bargain.

    I'm on my 4th or 5th set now, replacements are usually under $300 mounted and balanced at Discount Tire.

    Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
     

Share This Page