Tyres for a Mini Cooper

[Louis Balfour]

We've a Mini with Sumitomo BC100s on it.

They seem to have been ok, but the fronts need replacing.

I am a bit wary instinctively about mixing tyres. What is the PH wisdom as regards whether to source two the same or buy something else?

[wyson]

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.

Edited by wyson on Saturday 30th November 13:10

[Louis Balfour]

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.

Edited by wyson on Saturday 30th November 13:10

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.

Edited by Louis Balfour on Saturday 30th November 14:21

[SlimJim16v]

wyson said:

Replace the lot for a decent set.

[jfdi]

Full set of Michelin PS5's then throw it at the first roundabout as fast as you dare. You won't even be any where near their limits.
Transformed the handling on my R53 and they are wearing very well despite the abuse they are given.

[Louis Balfour]

SlimJim16v said:

wyson said:

Replace the lot for a decent set.

So what do you think is wrong with the Sumitomos then, out of interest?

They are a budget tyre, yes. But they seem to get reasonable reviews.

[BenS94]

Louis Balfour said:

SlimJim16v said:

wyson said:

Replace the lot for a decent set.

So what do you think is wrong with the Sumitomos then, out of interest?

They are a budget tyre, yes. But they seem to get reasonable reviews.

Budget tyre... you said it yourself.

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.

[Louis Balfour]

BenS94 said:

Louis Balfour said:

SlimJim16v said:

wyson said:

Replace the lot for a decent set.

So what do you think is wrong with the Sumitomos then, out of interest?

They are a budget tyre, yes. But they seem to get reasonable reviews.

Budget tyre... you said it yourself.

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.

Budget doesn’t necessarily equate to bad, does it? I used to run budgets on our Range Rovers because they were actually IIRC a Pirelli design and our local LR dealership put me on to them. A bit noisier than other tyres but much cheaper.

[wyson]

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Sumitomo/BC100.ht...

37 out of 55 in one test
7 out of 8 in another?

Like 7.4m off the best in the wet braking test? That is pretty poor performance. I wouldn’t risk running a tyre like that.

Just pick any of the top 5 below.

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/2024-Summer-Ty...

Edited by wyson on Saturday 30th November 15:47

[Louis Balfour]

So these are the tyres, what do people suggest?

Value is important but I don’t want death traps.

I am assuming we are talking about a set of four, rather than changing out the fronts.

Ignore the S Works centre caps, it’s a. 1.5 Cooper with sporty pretensions.

[wyson]

Top 5 in the link I suggested above, shop around, see what’s on offer.

Look at Kumho and Vredestein first as they are generally cheaper.

And yes definitely all 4 tyres.

Edited by wyson on Saturday 30th November 16:22

[Wicker Man]

My Mini Cooper D originally came with rock hard (400 compound) Michelins. They lasted forever but would trigger the ABS even under moderate braking in the DRY!
I like to get my moneys worth but was relieved when the rears eventually needed replacement at 80K miles. 😳

I’ve since been running Toyo Proxes TR 195/55R16 (320 compound) all round. The grip is fine, the wear good and the price very reasonable.

Although I’ll soon be changing to my steel 15” winter wheels once the frosts become regular. These have Goodyear Ultragrip 9 175/65R15 (* M+S) winter tyres and allow me to do my 40 mile each-way commute, on untreated bumpy b-roads, with reasonable confidence that I’ll stay out of the fenland ditches.

[Wicker Man]

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.

[Louis Balfour]

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.

How similar is similar?

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.

[nordboy]

I have a cooper s. Next set of tyres will either be Goodyear Eagle F1's Assymetric 6 or Michelin Pilot sport 5's. The Goodyears come in about £30 odd cheaper per tyre and I've had them on previous cars and they're excellent. Michelin's if there's a good deal about but I'd be happy with the GY's.

I always get decent tyres, after all, they're the only contact with the road....unless you've seriously fked it all up.

[Wicker Man]

Louis Balfour said:

How similar is similar?.

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.

Whatever you choose, you should ‘know your limits’ and drive accordingly!

[BenS94]

Louis Balfour said:

So these are the tyres, what do people suggest?

Value is important but I don’t want death traps.

I am assuming we are talking about a set of four, rather than changing out the fronts.

Ignore the S Works centre caps, it’s a. 1.5 Cooper with sporty pretensions.

Same wheels mine had, 17s.

Mine ran Dunlops.

[and31]

I have pilot sport 4 on my R53 cooper S, really good
But I did run it for quite a while with just the ps4 on the front and the stty runflats on the rear with no issues

[Louis Balfour]

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]

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.

Edited by BenS94 on Saturday 30th November 19:17