Modern tyres for 2003 MINI

[yellowshark454]

Hi guys I have just bought my first ever mini ! a 2003 Cooper S JCW. I am just wondering what tyres you guys use these days? I have a penchant for Michelin but I have no idea if they make a tyre to fit. Although open to any suggestion. Confirming at the momet but I think the wheels are 17 inch. TIA Pete

[Mike M3]

I've just change tyres on my 2006 JCW, going from run flats to non-RF Goodyear Eagle F1 6 Asymentrics (17").

First impressions:
Much more forgiving over rough surfaces, the car no longer rattles and shakes over small bumps
Road noise is greatly reduced, at motorway speeds i would get a constant droning on RFTs
Too early to test grip levels
Steering feel and sharpness has noticeably reduced, it has lost that "go-kart" feeling. I may need to run the tyres in and maybe look into suspension mods to get this back

[JP__FOX]

Many sizes of PS4 and now PS5 available in 17's, I'd stick with Michelin

[yellowshark454]

Thanks guys. Well having spent the previous 18 years with PSs on my Corvette I am very tempted with them but I certainly would not want the loss of steering feel that Mike M3 is reporting wth his Goodyears. There again they are different cars so what is good for the C5 is not necessarily good for the JCW. Changing from factory supplied tyres which have undergone thousands of miles testing with the suspension, wheel size etc. can be a challenging thing to do

[CarsOrBikes]

whatever you fit I'd recommend fitting 215/45r17 instead of 205

PS4's are alright, I have them on one here in the 215/45, not what I'd call a sticky tyre but we all have different expectations and drive differently of course, cars all differ etc.

I prefer stickier stuff like road legal semi slicks and have those on a couple, I don't renew anything in 205/45 though unless 3 of 4 are great and just one is required, otherwise they all go 215/45 if not 225/45

[gr4eme]

Hi I have 18's on my 2006 JCW. When i bought it, it had slightly wider tyres on it than you would normally fit. 225/40Y18. I kept the sizes and replaced with Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 - excellent tyre and at this (unusal size), give a bit of overhang (1cm max) over each wheel which helps tryign to ptorect the wheels from kerbing. They have great traction. This was a couple of years ago mind but they were £75 ea!. When i priced out the 'right' / manufacture size they were over £120! - Very comliant tyres