[GTmini]

It looks like I've waited a bit too long to rotate my tires and now my fronts are pretty well worn (10K miles on Pirelli Euphori@s) ...maybe another 1000-1500 miles left, tops. I'm thinking of replacing all 4 of my tires with some Goodyear GS-DS3s, but I'm wondering if I should be cheap and only replace the fronts (especially since the rear tires practically look like new). I'm wondering how many other MINI owners have replaced ONLY their front tires with non-runflats and kept their runflats in the rear??? Any handling problems?...I've read a few posts about "possible" oversteer, but nothing concrete. I've never been comfortable with the idea of having 2 different brands/models of tires on a car, but considering the situation with runflat performance/prices, I'm second guessing that policy.

...of course the other option which happens to fall right between those two options (when it comes to price) is to slap 2 new Euphori@s on. I really wish they performed better and had better tread life since the concept of having runflats is nice.

Since I'm getting close to my 10K service I'm also worried about the dealer trying to blame any of my drivetrain issues on the tires (which is part of the reason I've been holding off on rotation). Has anyone had any dealer issues with their setups? I bought my MCS out of state and the local dealers already seem to be pretty hostile to "foreign" MINIs.

Decisions, decisions...

[Paul]

No experience, but I imagine it would be a bit slippy at the back (oversteer) as you mention, because it would be similar to having hard rears and soft fronts, which produces that effect.

[NEMINI]

It's a shame the pirelli runflats don't wear as well as the goodyear runflats. My goodyears have 9000 miles on 'em and not a spot of wear front or rear

[obehave]

I have to agree with Paul. I wouldn't go so far as to say unsafe but unbalanced might fit.
BTW I have the Dunlop 5000s with 11.5K and they look good. Probably get another 15K out of them easy.

[GTmini]

I think I've resigned myself to buying Yokohama AVS ES100s all around. Looks like next month is going to be a pork n' beans for dinner month...blasted Euphori@s

[200mph]

Try the AVS's on the front only... see if you like the ride/handling.

If not, try swapping the Pirellis to the front... when you burn them off, buy the other pair of AVS's.

Another option: marketplace forum... often wheels and/or tires for sale as others make changes.
Finally: ebay! got to ebay motors/parts & accessories/wheels & tires and do a search for mini cooper. Lots of bargains there!

Theres a few of the tuning companies (BBR springs to mind) that only change the front run flats to improve handling so it shouldn't be a major problem.

J.

[red03miniS]

i would recommend getting 4 es100s. thats what i am running..and pretty cheap at about 400 bucks

[MINIALEX]

What has happened to Pauls post, i had to highlight it to read it - is it on purpose?

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIALEX

What has happened to Pauls post, i had to highlight it to read it - is it on purpose?

Nothing?

Are you using the light blue option?

[GTmini]

I ended up putting on a full set of AVS ES100's on Friday...I'm fairly pleased so far...much grippier, although with the less stiff sidewalls, the steering response seems to be a tad slower. I also seem to need less throttle when starting out (which is taking awhile to get used to)

On my first tank with the new Yoko's, I managed to get 27MPG with highway driving (my previous record being 24MPG). Now in time, my wallet will heal.

Unfortunately during the installation, they completely ripped apart the sidewall of one of my rear runflats (I was going to keep them as spares or maybe consider selling them since they had so much tread left)...so that left me a bit miffed for a little while. I was almost positive they were going to seriously screw up one of my rims...despite the repeated assurances that they could deal with the runflats, when they got to work on them, they looked 100% clueless...at one point they were all just staring at the first wheel they were working on removing.

Time to get back to watching M. Schumacher (hopefully) make history...

[red03miniS]

gtmini looks like ur in los angeles. so am i, and my wheelplace knew exactly how to deal wtih a runflat. its a regular tire with just thicker materials. weird in your situation, you should make the tire place pay for one your run flats.

anways, hope you like your es100s. happy motoring!

[GTmini]

Iron Mike...never disappoints

go team red!

[red03miniS]

hehehe

yeah team red!!

[MINIALEX]

Yes, I am - is that why??

[frugi]

My girlfriend just replaced her front Pirelli Euforias with a pair of Federal SS595 205/45 17W and she is well chuffed, especially considering the Feds are available from topgear.co.uk for a mere £60 a corner. Oh, and add another £8 for a can of Holts Tyre Weld in case of a puncture. I fail to see the advantage of runflats when a can of this stuff will be good for at least 90 miles if not more.

The Federals are quieter, stickier and considerably grippier (especially in the wet). Despite being a softer compound the turn in seems as sharp as before and the steering feel is much improved over the somewhat dead Pirellis. In short we cannot fault them and can't wait for the rear Pirellis to expire so we can replace them with two more Feds.

As a bonus, because the Feds are brand new they have more tread than the rears (and are softer) the understeer has been all but quelled. Indeed on fast full power roundabout exits, for instance, a modicum of opposite lock is often required to keep the tail in line. Excellent!

In fact I enjoyed my last drive in her Mini so much that I am seriously considering trading in my Civic Type-R (which I also run on Federals) for a BBR 220hp Cooper S. Yes we'll look like a right pair of dinky prats with matching Minis in the drive but I don't care - it will be worth all the disapproving looks to drive the beast I feel.