Bloody Tyre Reviews. I'll be down to the wires.........
Discussion
My Clio 197 came with some Autogrip rubbish on the front when I picked it up, it had the Kumhos you mentioned on when I test drove it which were obviously replaced for its MOT. The Kumhos were fine on the test drive. The Autogrips were terrible. Dangerous. So they're a cut above budgets, which is reassuring. The price is also attractive.
I swiftly changed to ContiSportContact5 all round. The rears are still going, about 15,000 miles and 15 months later. The fronts, well. They were illegal in about 7,000 miles. They overheat when pressing on, and you can feel it as an awful mushiness in the steering which is not nice as you know it's basically tread disappearing. They were awesome at everything else though, and were quiet and comfortable.
I popped Pirelli PZero Neros on and they've been fine; there's still 3.5-4.0 mm left after 8,000 miles so they'll be okay for a little while longer. They're a bit noisier than the Contis, and offer a little less grip. But in all honesty you only really notice there being less grip when really, really trying. Just to live up to your worries about online reviews, I've found them excellent in the wet, unlike Dan_1981 and Liquid Tuna above.
The missus has just put some Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 all round on her Z4 2.5, and they're pretty good so far. I know that's obviously nothing like a Mini, but in terms of wet grip, comfort and noise they're pretty good. Not had a chance to push them in the dry, yet. They seem to be a well recommended tyre for most cars, though, so I'm probably going to go for them next on the Clio too.
I swiftly changed to ContiSportContact5 all round. The rears are still going, about 15,000 miles and 15 months later. The fronts, well. They were illegal in about 7,000 miles. They overheat when pressing on, and you can feel it as an awful mushiness in the steering which is not nice as you know it's basically tread disappearing. They were awesome at everything else though, and were quiet and comfortable.
I popped Pirelli PZero Neros on and they've been fine; there's still 3.5-4.0 mm left after 8,000 miles so they'll be okay for a little while longer. They're a bit noisier than the Contis, and offer a little less grip. But in all honesty you only really notice there being less grip when really, really trying. Just to live up to your worries about online reviews, I've found them excellent in the wet, unlike Dan_1981 and Liquid Tuna above.
The missus has just put some Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 all round on her Z4 2.5, and they're pretty good so far. I know that's obviously nothing like a Mini, but in terms of wet grip, comfort and noise they're pretty good. Not had a chance to push them in the dry, yet. They seem to be a well recommended tyre for most cars, though, so I'm probably going to go for them next on the Clio too.
Just to add to your pain, I notice there has been no mention of Dunlop's??
I run the SportMaxx GT on my diesel Vrs Octavia and have found them to be brilliant. I get around 25k from a set with about 70% high speed motorway and 30% B-road driving, and I tend not to hang about. They're not the best tyre in the wet but they are phenomenal in the dry. They're also a million times better than the Dunlop SP Sport 01's that went on once, only got 14k out of them as I was determined to kill them at all costs!!
I run the SportMaxx GT on my diesel Vrs Octavia and have found them to be brilliant. I get around 25k from a set with about 70% high speed motorway and 30% B-road driving, and I tend not to hang about. They're not the best tyre in the wet but they are phenomenal in the dry. They're also a million times better than the Dunlop SP Sport 01's that went on once, only got 14k out of them as I was determined to kill them at all costs!!
Bonefish Blues said:
No Rainsport 3 recommendation yet?
I loved the 2s, and fitted the 3s to the Saab a week or 3 ago. Quiet, grippy, cheap for the quality, all good so far.
I must admit, I liked the Rainexpert a lot and fitted them to a few cars. Fitted Rainsport 2's to my Mondeo and they performed well but were so bloody noisy I loved the 2s, and fitted the 3s to the Saab a week or 3 ago. Quiet, grippy, cheap for the quality, all good so far.
Anyway, currently have Michelin PS3 on the GTA and very happy with them. Tyrefinder do good prices, and Costco sometimes do very good deals on them.
Used many different brands over the years (Pirelli, Dunlop, Kumho, Goodyear, Avon, Toyo etc. etc.) and have never been what I can describe as 'totally happy' with any of those. There was always some type of problem - vibration, uneven wear, pulling to the left or right, bad wet weather braking, soft sidewalls, poor longevity, a propensity to suffer punctures...
In 2007, I bought a Porsche 996 911. It came with Pirelli P zero Rosso tyres. They were rubbish. Noisy, unpredictable...to the extent that I had a 4-wheel alignment done sharpish, because I thought the dodgy handling was a geometry problem (it wasn't...)
After going on the Porsche sub-forum on PH, most people recommended Michelin PS3 tyres for my Porsche. I had previously thought that Michelins were a ridiculous, expensive, indulgent luxury at some hideously inflated (excuse the pun) price.
However, it seemed at the time, going into 2008, that possibly helped by the recession, my tame local tyre place started to be only too keen to supply me with Michelins at a knock-down price. Like £400 for a full set fitted and balanced to the Porsche....previously unheard of! Before the recession, the same tyres would have been nearer 700 bucks.
Anyway, after fitting Michelin PS3's - well, I realised that my OCD tyre aspirations were finally satisifed! Oh, what a difference! Sharp, precise handling, supreme traction and grip, amazing wet-weather braking, quiet, even wear, amazing longevity - and I have never suffered a puncture in a Michelin since either (although even I recognise that this last point might be a wee bit of a co-incidence...)
Since then, I have fitted PS3's to every other car I have owned. Again, the prevailing attitude at the tyre shop is that I am met with an almost dis-believing look when I ask for Michelins. It seems that since the recession, everyone just rolls up and asks for the cheapest tyre available.
As said, I reckon this is a false economy - my tyre place is always keen to do a deal on the Michelins, as no-one else seems to buy them - so they can be had for a really decent price, even now.
And they are just great. Nothing but complete benefits, with no disadvantages at all. They last so well, and work so brilliantly.
My recommendation!
In 2007, I bought a Porsche 996 911. It came with Pirelli P zero Rosso tyres. They were rubbish. Noisy, unpredictable...to the extent that I had a 4-wheel alignment done sharpish, because I thought the dodgy handling was a geometry problem (it wasn't...)
After going on the Porsche sub-forum on PH, most people recommended Michelin PS3 tyres for my Porsche. I had previously thought that Michelins were a ridiculous, expensive, indulgent luxury at some hideously inflated (excuse the pun) price.
However, it seemed at the time, going into 2008, that possibly helped by the recession, my tame local tyre place started to be only too keen to supply me with Michelins at a knock-down price. Like £400 for a full set fitted and balanced to the Porsche....previously unheard of! Before the recession, the same tyres would have been nearer 700 bucks.
Anyway, after fitting Michelin PS3's - well, I realised that my OCD tyre aspirations were finally satisifed! Oh, what a difference! Sharp, precise handling, supreme traction and grip, amazing wet-weather braking, quiet, even wear, amazing longevity - and I have never suffered a puncture in a Michelin since either (although even I recognise that this last point might be a wee bit of a co-incidence...)
Since then, I have fitted PS3's to every other car I have owned. Again, the prevailing attitude at the tyre shop is that I am met with an almost dis-believing look when I ask for Michelins. It seems that since the recession, everyone just rolls up and asks for the cheapest tyre available.
As said, I reckon this is a false economy - my tyre place is always keen to do a deal on the Michelins, as no-one else seems to buy them - so they can be had for a really decent price, even now.
And they are just great. Nothing but complete benefits, with no disadvantages at all. They last so well, and work so brilliantly.
My recommendation!
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Used many different brands over the years (Pirelli, Dunlop, Kumho, Goodyear, Avon, Toyo etc. etc.) and have never been what I can describe as 'totally happy' with any of those. There was always some type of problem - vibration, uneven wear, pulling to the left or right, bad wet weather braking, soft sidewalls, poor longevity, a propensity to suffer punctures...
In 2007, I bought a Porsche 996 911. It came with Pirelli P zero Rosso tyres. They were rubbish. Noisy, unpredictable...to the extent that I had a 4-wheel alignment done sharpish, because I thought the dodgy handling was a geometry problem (it wasn't...)
After going on the Porsche sub-forum on PH, most people recommended Michelin PS3 tyres for my Porsche. I had previously thought that Michelins were a ridiculous, expensive, indulgent luxury at some hideously inflated (excuse the pun) price.
However, it seemed at the time, going into 2008, that possibly helped by the recession, my tame local tyre place started to be only too keen to supply me with Michelins at a knock-down price. Like £400 for a full set fitted and balanced to the Porsche....previously unheard of! Before the recession, the same tyres would have been nearer 700 bucks.
Anyway, after fitting Michelin PS3's - well, I realised that my OCD tyre aspirations were finally satisifed! Oh, what a difference! Sharp, precise handling, supreme traction and grip, amazing wet-weather braking, quiet, even wear, amazing longevity - and I have never suffered a puncture in a Michelin since either (although even I recognise that this last point might be a wee bit of a co-incidence...)
Since then, I have fitted PS3's to every other car I have owned. Again, the prevailing attitude at the tyre shop is that I am met with an almost dis-believing look when I ask for Michelins. It seems that since the recession, everyone just rolls up and asks for the cheapest tyre available.
As said, I reckon this is a false economy - my tyre place is always keen to do a deal on the Michelins, as no-one else seems to buy them - so they can be had for a really decent price, even now.
And they are just great. Nothing but complete benefits, with no disadvantages at all. They last so well, and work so brilliantly.
My recommendation!
Don't take me the wrong way but that's an excellent review for suitable tyre for a Porsche 996 or any other car you have fitted them on (you didn't state/mention them all) In 2007, I bought a Porsche 996 911. It came with Pirelli P zero Rosso tyres. They were rubbish. Noisy, unpredictable...to the extent that I had a 4-wheel alignment done sharpish, because I thought the dodgy handling was a geometry problem (it wasn't...)
After going on the Porsche sub-forum on PH, most people recommended Michelin PS3 tyres for my Porsche. I had previously thought that Michelins were a ridiculous, expensive, indulgent luxury at some hideously inflated (excuse the pun) price.
However, it seemed at the time, going into 2008, that possibly helped by the recession, my tame local tyre place started to be only too keen to supply me with Michelins at a knock-down price. Like £400 for a full set fitted and balanced to the Porsche....previously unheard of! Before the recession, the same tyres would have been nearer 700 bucks.
Anyway, after fitting Michelin PS3's - well, I realised that my OCD tyre aspirations were finally satisifed! Oh, what a difference! Sharp, precise handling, supreme traction and grip, amazing wet-weather braking, quiet, even wear, amazing longevity - and I have never suffered a puncture in a Michelin since either (although even I recognise that this last point might be a wee bit of a co-incidence...)
Since then, I have fitted PS3's to every other car I have owned. Again, the prevailing attitude at the tyre shop is that I am met with an almost dis-believing look when I ask for Michelins. It seems that since the recession, everyone just rolls up and asks for the cheapest tyre available.
As said, I reckon this is a false economy - my tyre place is always keen to do a deal on the Michelins, as no-one else seems to buy them - so they can be had for a really decent price, even now.
And they are just great. Nothing but complete benefits, with no disadvantages at all. They last so well, and work so brilliantly.
My recommendation!
OP was after tyre advice on a Mini........ but your where to ask point was exactly what I would advise
Tyre choice depends a lot on the car - I'd ask on specific marque forums for what people like on the same make/model of car
Clasic example of tyre polarity - Just search for Pirelli P6000 on pistonheads..... IMHO that's a very car specific tyre
Ive recently replaced some Goodyear F1 Assymetric 2s on the front (still have them on the rear) with Dunlop Sportmaxx RTs. The F1s are very good but the sidewall was a bit soft so am trying the Dunlops. Slightly stiffer sidewall but very a quiet and smooth ride. Wet and dry grip is excellent but no idea on wear rate yet.
One thing I found with the F1s was that they still gripped really well when worn down to the limit.
One thing I found with the F1s was that they still gripped really well when worn down to the limit.
Tannedbaldhead said:
Northernchimp said:
WHat car and what size?
Cooper S. 205/45 on 17inch rims. Will be interesting to see if someone will say the best tyres are (insert fave tyre here) only to see two posts down that message in quotes and another poster saying "faaaaahkin' hell mate. You don't want them. Ditchfinders"
If that does not work, buy the most expensive tyre you can afford, ideally over 100 quid a corner. With tyres, it really is a case of you get what you pay for (despite what some keyboard warriors will claim).
Buff Mchugelarge said:
I'm in the same pedicament!
Online reviews are a real PITA, you often get completely conflicting reviews one after another.
I'm going for Nankang NS-2R's. They're cheap and most importantly they look nice.
vit4 said:
I must admit, I liked the Rainexpert a lot and fitted them to a few cars. Fitted Rainsport 2's to my Mondeo and they performed well but were so bloody noisy
Anyway, currently have Michelin PS3 on the GTA and very happy with them. Tyrefinder do good prices, and Costco sometimes do very good deals on them.
RS3s are way quieter, perhaps even quieter than the PS3s they replaced.Anyway, currently have Michelin PS3 on the GTA and very happy with them. Tyrefinder do good prices, and Costco sometimes do very good deals on them.
OK - My R53 Cooper S I run Conti sport contact 3's. These are not only a damned good tyre (and non runflat too) they are also BMW OEM so come with the correct load rating.
I drive my car reasonably hard and have yet to think 'My God these tyres are s
te' I also do occasional track days.
Another tyre recommended by most MINI forms is the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo.
I drive my car reasonably hard and have yet to think 'My God these tyres are s
te' I also do occasional track days.Another tyre recommended by most MINI forms is the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo.
kambites said:
Eagle F1 Asymetrics are very good in terms of grip, noise and ride quality, although some people find the side-walls rather soft.
But they made the steering incredibly twitchy on my Golf R32. The steering with the Pilot 3s that were on it prior was always weighty and stable. I've always had problems with Eagles on my VWs, especially the old GSD3 arrowhead pattern. A terrible tyre when half worn.Think I'll stick with Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental from now on. Must be a reason why Germans always fit these as standard to their cars.
There must also be a reason why some tyres work better on certain cars. Toe and camber angles? Caster angles? Vehicle weight? Air pressures etc etc?
What bothers me about internet reviews is the lack of information. People never mention the conditions or speeds involved, or cornering or straight line, hot or cold yada yada....
Edited by SuperchargedVR6 on Thursday 24th April 10:15
kambites said:
Eagle F1 Asymetrics are very good in terms of grip, noise and ride quality, although some people find the side-walls rather soft.
I've just put a set of them on my car and very impressed so far.They are quieter, cheaper and more economical than the PS3s they replaced. Dry grip is great but I haven't yet been out for a long distance run in full-on wet conditions to make a judgement on wet weather performance. They seemed very good at low speeds in the wet though.
SuperchargedVR6 said:
kambites said:
Eagle F1 Asymetrics are very good in terms of grip, noise and ride quality, although some people find the side-walls rather soft.
But they made the steering incredibly twitchy on my Golf R32. The steering with the Pilot 3s that were on it prior was always weighty and stable. I've always had problems with Eagles on my VWs, especially the old GSD3 arrowhead pattern. A terrible tyre when half worn.Think I'll stick with Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental from now on. Must be a reason why Germans always fit these as standard to their cars.
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