Tyres for a Mini Cooper
Discussion
wyson said:
Replace the lot for a decent set.
Im shocked, weren’t you considering buying a Patek Philippe at one stage, but run around with budget tyres?
Look up your tyre size on tyrereviews.com and get a full set that is well rated.
The car came with them, they were brand new. I have found them to be OK and tyrereviews seems to give them a decent rap.Im shocked, weren’t you considering buying a Patek Philippe at one stage, but run around with budget tyres?
Look up your tyre size on tyrereviews.com and get a full set that is well rated.
Edited by wyson on Saturday 30th November 13:10
Edited by Louis Balfour on Saturday 30th November 14:21
BenS94 said:
Louis Balfour said:
SlimJim16v said:
wyson said:
Replace the lot for a decent set.

They are a budget tyre, yes. But they seem to get reasonable reviews.
Mini fit Falken as their cheaper option, I've had no bother with those I've experienced. I assume yours will be 195/55 R16 non run flat - in which case, I'd look to go Yokohama - quiet, grippy, well priced.
Wicker Man said:
Louis Balfour said:
…the fronts need replacing.
I am a bit wary instinctively about mixing tyres.
I wouldn’t be throwing away the rears if they still had plenty of tread and the new fronts were of a similar type.I am a bit wary instinctively about mixing tyres.
An aside - I remember back in the 80s when we'd put Town and Country on the front of Minis, and leave the rears standard.
Wicker Man said:
That’s is obviously subjective, but as you say your current Sumitomo BC100s (which I’ve never heard of, but seem to have good reviews) are OK, and value is important, then a new pair of the same should be on your short list.

Yes I didn't think the reviews were awful! They weren't "buy these tyres and die" but some of the feedback on here is as though it would be like putting a gun to my head and pulling the trigger.
As for the comment earlier "I can't believe you would buy a Patek, but buy budget tyres". If I can buy a Patek, it's probably because I am careful how I spend money in other areas.
The car is owned by our business, and is one of a number that we run. It is the least used, the most ABused and the one most likely to have the tyre kerbed / punctured / doughnutted. So if I can safely replace the old tyres with the same model without killing anyone I may do so.
That is not to say that I won't look at options. I defer to the knowledge of other posters.
BenS94 said:
Your current Sumitomos vs Kumho. I'd definitely go Kumho here, with the 10% off, and I've not experienced any issues with them in 16" guise driving dads MG3 rather enthusiastically.



Thanks for that Ben.Edited by BenS94 on Saturday 30th November 19:17
Do we think the Kumho are close enough to the sumitomos to change just the fronts?
BenS94 said:
nordboy said:
and31 said:
SlimJim16v said:
New tyres should* go on the back.
*can of worms
On a front wheel drive car? *can of worms
I’d rather have the new ones on the front
I was going to regale the assembled crowd with a pork pie about having found some part-worn BC100s on Ebay, but I don't have time this weekend for such japes.
Many thanks Ben and to the others who contributed.
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