MF Garage: Summer Tires for Our 2015 Cooper S
We’ve bit the bullet and are upgrading our lowly 16″ tires and wheels that accidentally came with our 2015 long term test car to something much more aggressive. We’ll get to the wheels later this week. But first up is deciding on tires. This is normally an easy decision for us. Basically go to Tirerack and buy whatever Michelin’s latest max performance summer tire is. However we’ve done that plenty over the years. This time we wanted to go a slightly different route.
As always MINI’s recommended tire sizing limits some availability. But we weren’t going to be sticking with the recommended sizing. If there’s one thing that MINI’s tend to lack it’s contact patch. And our being shod with the tiny 195/55-16s had it even worse than most. So we decided to slightly upsize the width of the tires as we’ve successfully done on F56s in the past. This was also our chance to move into a larger wheel – and that means 18s. In our opinion almost a mandatory given the height of the F56s belt-line. Then there’s the question of run-flats vs normal tires. No surprises if you follow MF at all you’ll know we’ve decided against run-flats due to performance, feel, comfort and price.
After some conversation with our friends at Tirerack and a healthy look at tire comparisons we’ve ended up with a max performance summer tire that should last longer than the fantastic Michelin Pilot Super Sports (despite what tread ware ratings say) while performing as well in wet as they do in dry. Enter the Continental Extreme Contact DW. With a 4.5 star rating after almost 1000 reviews it’s a well known and well loved tire. Tread ratings say it should wear well while achieving nearly the same dry performance.
We should know more this weekend as we take them (and our new wheels which will talk about later this week) for a quick road-trip.
<p>It is a can of worms topic, but having owned both the Michelin PSS and the Conti DW, get ready to experience some sidewall flex with the DW. That works well with the firm suspension of an R53. Will be interesting to hear your feedback on how the
DW pairs with the generally softer suspension of the F56.</p>
<p>I’m curious to know how they’ll feel with 18s and the sport suspension. Having driven the Pilot SS on the road and track over the past year I feel like I’m in a decent position for a comparison.</p>
<p>I have the same extreme contact DW on my RWD E91 and they are wonderful. Great handling and stick plus the ride is amazing without the RFTs. I’ve always had continentals on my R50 and they are great tires with good performance and tread life.</p>
<p>You’ll need the non-RFTs on the F56 with 18″ wheels for sure.</p>
<p>Excellent choice. Had the 16s on my Justa; also went wider than stock and was very pleased with performance, longevity, and noise level. Their relatively reasonable price is an added bonus.</p>
<p>Gabe wrote: “…that means 18s. In our opinion almost a mandatory given the height of the F56s belt-line.”</p>
<p>I don’t get it, especially the statement “mandatory.” 18’s have a very harsh ride and the rubber is too low a profile. 17’s, ah ok, maybe. I can see having 17’s, but even 17’s can be a bit harsh over less than smooth surface roads.</p>
<p>I have no issues, either looks wise or driving feel with the 16’s on my F56 S.</p>
<p>When you say “mandatory” is this for MINI owners who do autocross and track days or enthusiasts who do a lot of MINI club events on twisty roads? Or just for the general MINI owner – daily driver?</p>
<p>I would not say that 18’s are mandatory for MINI owners who use the car as a daily driver, city driving or an occasional 1-2 X a year MINI club events.</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with 16’s. MINI handles and drives fine with 16’s.</p>
<p>“No surprises if you follow MF at all you’ll know we’ve decided against run-flats due to performance, feel, comfort and price.”</p>
<p>Don’t know about performance or feel with RF’s as this is the first time I’ve had RF on a vehicle but in researching price of RF before purchasing my F56 S with 16″, (as price of RF replacement tires were a concern), I found that the 16″ DriveGuard by Bridgestone’s All-Season RF were very reasonable (currently $101.36 per tire) vs. non RF.</p>
<p>True All Season aren’t performance tires, but I don’t need that kind of tire.</p>
<p>Gabe is talking about the size of the wheel in proportion to the now larger car. The 16s look puny and even 17s look too small. The F56 has a more compliant ride than previous generations so maybe 18s will work just fine. I am sure he’ll let us know.</p>
<p>“The 16s look puny” I can’t agree with that. They look fine to me. I’m happy with the look, don’t think they look puny. When I was shopping for a new MINI, many of the S Coopers the dealer had in stock came with 17’s. I didn’t care for the overall look. The rims looked nice, especially the Cosmos spoke, in either black or silver, but the rubber on the rims looked to small (low profile). I’m not a fan of that look.</p>
<p>16″ on F56 = golf club car (17″ on F56, a little better but still puny)</p>
<p>Puny: what is this, the Marvel Avenger Adventure: Hulk- “Puny Banner” :-P</p>
<p>Fine, based on your posts it sounds like performance and handling are not your priority.</p>
<p>Based on your posts it seems that your’re suffering from your back or that you are retired</p>
<p>Sorry, I was responding to “R.O” post not yours.</p>
<p>No need to get personal or be rude.</p>
<p>Buying handling components based on looks is a fools errand</p>
<p>In the UK, I’ve put Yokohama Neova AD08R 205/45/17s on the front. I’ve been very impressed with their level of grip, however with all systems off (except EDLC), the torque of the F56S can still overcome the grip in a straight line…</p>
<p>On a car as light as the F56, the DWs should be OK. I ran them on my significantly-heavier 2013 GTI, and was a little nonplussed with the soft sidewalls.</p>
<p>They were fantastic daily driving summer tires, though. Quiet, comfortable, and bloody fantastic in the wet.</p>