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Author Topic: 2006 Mini Cooper S  (Read 936 times)

Offline TopGun

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2006 Mini Cooper S
« on: February 28, 2011, 10:17:00 pm »
Well, it's finally time to ditch the run-flats.

The Mini has stock 195/55/16s...but the Mini forum consensus seems to be 205/50/16.  I'm usually a guy that messes with the stock dimensions...but the choices in the stock size seem very limited when you don't want a run-flat.

The Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport seems to be well liked.  The Toyo Proxes TR1 seem OK too...but the comments on these are from 2006...so maybe that it old tech (relatively speaking).

Man, I'd pay to be able to "test drive" tires.  I replaced the tires on my Protege5 based on customer feedback, forums, etc...and I HATE the Michelins I bought...they were WAY too soft on the sidewall.  The "replacement promise" offered was intended, I swear it, to just be a huge pain so you eventually give up...which I did.
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Offline HeliDriver

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2011, 10:55:46 pm »
I bought Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sports for the GTI last summer. I chose them mostly because they were not too expensive and were supposed to have a great balance between low noise and performance. I'm running W-rated 225/45-R15 and find the sidewall plenty stiff enough for sporty street use.

I've been 100% happy with them over the 12,000 or so kilometres I put on them last summer. I even had them out for a track day and was pleasantly surprised - I wasn't expecting much, but they didn't get greasy as the day wore on like other street tires (Kumho 712 and SPT) I've tracked in the past.
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Offline TopGun

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2011, 10:10:10 am »
Excellent!  The GTI is a good comparison...thank-you for taking the time to respond.
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Offline HeliDriver

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2011, 12:29:41 pm »
No problemo.

And I just reread my post and noticed a silly error - I'm running 17" wheels on the GTI, not 15".
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Offline Mike

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2011, 02:05:55 pm »
Quote from: TopGun on March 01, 2011, 10:10:10 am
Excellent!  The GTI is a good comparison...thank-you for taking the time to respond.

What is on the '8'?  I had Bridgestone Potenza RE-01 R summers on it before I sold it and they were the best tire I ever owned.  I loved them way more then the stock RX-8 tires.

I liked them so much, I will get a lower performance set for the WRX when the time comes.
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Offline tortoise

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2011, 05:57:41 pm »
Which Michelin's did you hate?   

I've ran the Toyo Proxes4 and BFG Supersport A/S on my P5.  The BFG's had a stiffer sidewall but I think I preferred the Toyo's overall.  If you're looking to avoid soft sidewalls I'd steer clear of the T1R's.

I don't think you could go wrong with the Potenza 760.   Decent treadwear rating and well liked on Tirerack.
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Offline TopGun

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2011, 10:20:31 pm »
Quote from: tortoise on March 01, 2011, 05:57:41 pm
Which Michelin's did you hate?   

I've ran the Toyo Proxes4 and BFG Supersport A/S on my P5.  The BFG's had a stiffer sidewall but I think I preferred the Toyo's overall.  If you're looking to avoid soft sidewalls I'd steer clear of the T1R's.

I don't think you could go wrong with the Potenza 760.   Decent treadwear rating and well liked on Tirerack.

Pilot Exaltos.  The first time I drove on them, I thought I had a puncture...terrible.  Very quiet, and a nice ride and all that crap.  I had no other choice other than jack the tire pressures up.

Good feedback on the T1Rs...I did see a couple of those similar comments on Tirerack.
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Offline TopGun

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #7 on: March 01, 2011, 10:22:20 pm »
Quote from: Mike on March 01, 2011, 02:05:55 pm

What is on the '8'?  I had Bridgestone Potenza RE-01 R summers on it before I sold it and they were the best tire I ever owned.  I loved them way more then the stock RX-8 tires.

I liked them so much, I will get a lower performance set for the WRX when the time comes.

I've just got the stock tires on there...Dunlops I think...the car's not here to check now.
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Offline rrocket

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2011, 10:28:13 pm »
Quote from: TopGun on March 01, 2011, 10:22:20 pm


I've just got the stock tires on there...Dunlops I think...the car's not here to check now.

In for repairs too?   ;D
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Offline TopGun

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2011, 10:39:37 pm »
Quote from: rrocket on March 01, 2011, 10:28:13 pm

In for repairs too?   ;D


It's not using a drop of gas or oil either....hmm...well...not much oil anyway.
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Offline Mike

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2011, 01:16:13 am »
Quote from: TopGun on March 01, 2011, 10:22:20 pm
Quote from: Mike on March 01, 2011, 02:05:55 pm

What is on the '8'?  I had Bridgestone Potenza RE-01 R summers on it before I sold it and they were the best tire I ever owned.  I loved them way more then the stock RX-8 tires.

I liked them so much, I will get a lower performance set for the WRX when the time comes.

I've just got the stock tires on there...Dunlops I think...the car's not here to check now.

Those dunlops suck
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Offline wing

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2011, 07:10:36 am »
T1R is good, re01r awesome,.
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Offline Railton

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #12 on: March 02, 2011, 08:07:13 am »
Quote from: TopGun on March 01, 2011, 10:39:37 pm
Quote from: rrocket on March 01, 2011, 10:28:13 pm

In for repairs too?   ;D


It's not using a drop of gas or oil either....hmm...well...not much oil anyway.
WTF? What's it in for this time?
Railton
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Offline TopGun

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #13 on: March 02, 2011, 09:53:59 am »
Quote from: Mike on March 02, 2011, 01:16:13 am

Those dunlops suck

Wow...so this thing can handle even better.  Amazing!   ;D

Quote from: Railton on March 02, 2011, 08:07:13 am
WTF? What's it in for this time?
Railton

It's just in storage Railton.  I drive the P5 in the winter...although at 262,000 km now, I'll likely have to replace the P5 first.
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Offline Mike

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #14 on: March 02, 2011, 11:12:28 am »
Quote from: TopGun on March 02, 2011, 09:53:59 am
Quote from: Mike on March 02, 2011, 01:16:13 am

Those dunlops suck

Wow...so this thing can handle even better.  Amazing!   ;D


When I put on the RE-01 R tires, it was night and day.  It was almost impossible to break the rear tire loose on a warm sunny day no matter of hard I turned or how much gas I applied.  It was like glue.  They were also awesome in the rain.  Tread life is not so awesome though
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Offline safristi

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #15 on: March 02, 2011, 11:25:00 am »
 Re: ;) Re 01 R tyres   PRODUCT DISCONTINUED   when googled...........
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Offline wing

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #16 on: March 02, 2011, 11:52:10 am »
RE11R is the replacement
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Offline Mike

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #17 on: March 02, 2011, 12:30:27 pm »
Quote from: safristi on March 02, 2011, 11:25:00 am
Re: ;) Re 01 R tyres   PRODUCT DISCONTINUED   when googled...........

yeah, that is how I got them in the spring of 2009 for $75 USD a tire when they retailed for $275 USD a tire  ;D
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Offline safristi

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #18 on: March 02, 2011, 01:52:50 pm »
..OLD RUBBERS....... ;) :pimp:....Daddy why are we driving a POS..... :D
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Offline blur911

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Re: 2006 Mini Cooper S
« Reply #19 on: March 02, 2011, 05:59:03 pm »
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