MCS tyres, Michelin, Bridgestone or Toyo

[jimmy156]

Evening all,


Going to need some new front tyres on my R56 MCS in the coming weeks.

I am perfectly happy with the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A's that are standard, and this would cost me £210 for a set of front.

Always looking for value, i notice that a set of TOYO T1R's can be had for £160 for the set. I have had these on cars in the past and they have been fine, any one had them on a MINI and care to share an opinion.

Going the other way i only hear good things about the Michelin super sports, These would set me back £240 for the set.

All tyre sizes are 205/45/17 and prices include fitting.

The cost is not necessarily a major factor... i am happy to pay extra if its worth it, i am also (very) happy to save some pennies if the cheaper options are still a solid option!

Just looking for some informed opinions please

TIA, James

[5bob]

We're using Kumho KU39's on the wifes Roadster. It's now on it's second set on the front (they're also on the rear) and am more than happy with them. I think we paid around £140 for the pair.

[Miglia 888]

Yokohama AD08Rs are on my MCSD - superb dry grip while still decent enough in the wet - just bought another set.
Trusted friends have good things to say about the Continental Sport Contact 5 and Michelin Pilot Super Sports.
I also run Goodyear Assymetric 2s on other cars in the fleet, which are decent all-rounders with a comfortable ride too IME.

Here's what EVO concluded when testing a similar sized group last year:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2014-EVO-Max-...

T1Rs and KU39s don't fare quite so well overall in the user reviews, and I would agree from personal experience:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Size/17-Inch-Tyr...

If price isn't an obstacle, why not try something better this time for less than one tank of petrol extra, and enjoy the benefits for thousands of miles? With good tyres, you really do get what you pay for, imho.

Let us know what you choose.

[jimmy156]

Thanks for the replies guys, the kuhmo's fall in the same camp as the Toyo's, I only looked at the Toyo because I have past experience of them. I am sure they would both be fine, however I do seem to remember the Toyo's wearing pretty quick, which would negate the price advantage completely. How do you find the kuhmo's in this regard?

I remember reading that tyre test when EVO did it, and I thought the same thing then... its annoying that the bridgestone tested is a different tread pattern (not available in the correct size anyway) and the michellin tested with the Pilot Sport 3, not the Super Sport which everyone seems to rave about.

Conti CS5's could be a good shout... The Yokohama's are probably a bit too dry weather biased for me, but I hear lots of good things!

[rigga]

On my second set of Hankook v12 evolution and impressed with them, found them to be good in both wet and dry conditions Great value too.

Edited by rigga on Sunday 4th October 21:13

[jimmy156]

So it took me longer to replace the tyres them i had envisaged Always one to get VFM i have been religiously checking tread depths every few weeks and they have just got to the point where i had to change them. Maybe i am a northerner at heart

In the end went for some Pirelli P Zero's. The PSS were going to cost me £50 more in total, and that was a bit much to stomach. The bridgestones were replaced a few years ago with the S001 which is not available in my size, and i had concerns about getting "old" new tyres.

The conti contact sport 5's that seem to be winning lots of group tests seem to wear very quickly so in the end it was between the P zero's and Goodyear Eagle F1's. Toss of a coin really, but in the latest EVO test the P zero's narrowly beat the Goodyears.

Paid £205 fitted, (cheaper than the Bridgestones incidentally) from black circles. They will replace the worn fronts but go on the rear, the rears that will be moved to the front will probably need replacing later in the year so i may report back with opinions once i have a set of four on there!

[Brompty]

jimmy156 said:

The cost is not necessarily a major factor... i am happy to pay extra if its worth it, i am also (very) happy to save some pennies if the cheaper options are still a solid option!

Just looking for some informed opinions please

TIA, James

If you would like to save an extra £20 and get something better than the Toyo's, then buy the Kumho Ecsta Le Sport if these are available in the size you need. Great tyres, and transformed the ride of my car (I did have run flats however before I changed).

[Maracus]

I'm looking to change all 4 on our 2010 Cooper S.

I see that Avon ZZ5 205/45/17s are available at £67.50 fitted with My Tyres. I've had ZZ3s on a previous MK5 GTi and thought they were pretty good.

Anyone tried the ZZ5s on a MINI?

[hughcam]

A strong vote for Avon ZZ5's. Fitted these on our Cooper s and they are similar in dry grip to Michilin PSS buit with fantastic wet weather grip. I cant comment on wear as yet as they have only been on for 2,000 miles but I would reccomend without question.

[CO2000]

Also consider 215/40/17's, pleased I went this way a couple of sets ago.

[I Am Milk]

hughcam said:

A strong vote for Avon ZZ5's. Fitted these on our Cooper s and they are similar in dry grip to Michilin PSS buit with fantastic wet weather grip. I cant comment on wear as yet as they have only been on for 2,000 miles but I would reccomend without question.

Have to agree with this. Got a set of 4 fitted about a two weeks ago on my MCS (R53, modded to 210bhp), and I am staggered by how good they are.

Brilliant grip in the wet and dry, very responsive to turn in (I went for the XL sidewalls) give really nice feedback and remain quiet on the motorway. Also, really, really smokey burnouts .

Gave them a really good workout on Sunday and they continue to impress. Will definitely be looking in to getting them again when the time arises (hopefully not for a while).

[flying scotsman]

My previous r53 cooper s had the Avons, another thumbs up from me. If I can get them in the right size for the challenge I would give them a go.