Tyre help please

[Garlick]

For those that don't know about my car, have a look here http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

I have binned the 17'' wheels for 16'' wheels and it has made a great deal of difference on the track IMO, but now I want to change the tyres.

As i'm now on 16's it does reduce the choice slightly, but I have narrowed it down to either Dunlop Sport Maxx (205/45R16) or Goodyear Eagle F1 in the same size.

Can anyone help me decide, as at the moment I have no reason to prefer one over the other.

Many thanks in advance

Paul

[Hughesie]

You ditching the Run flats then, wish i could - Bloody company cars - Still handy when the engine blows up

[Supermega]

Hey Paul,
Just read your article, agree with everything you say about the MINI. Its until people have a go in them they realise how capable they are!
I have just swapped my 16" Blasters for a set of 17' Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2's, the difference its made to the car is amazing! The OEM MINI wheels are just so heavy compared to TD's, I find the car picks up quicker off the mark, and grip levels are so much better than the runflats. I know people like the security of runflats, but in my opinion they really spoil the ride of the car, why not try non runflats for your next set of boots?

All the best.

[Garlick]

Hi all

The next tyres will be non- runflats

I had considered a second set of 16's with some cut slicks, but then I realised I'd actually have to get them to the track in the first place and that may be a problem in the MINI!

Interesting comments about the weight of the MINI wheels, you are no doubt right, but after all the recent expense it will be staying as it is for now.....with the exception of the tyres.

[Supermega]

I manage to get my last set of wheels in the back of my car... albeit with the seats down! lol Also when you do change to normal tyres I think you will find the ride a lot easier over the bumpier stuff.

[briSk]

there's a degree of it being coincidental but i went for the bullets on my r53 which happen to (at the time at least) have been the least heavy design 9by a reasonable margin as it happens).
and thanks to the wife we've shaved a few more grammes of the stock weight..

not sure how it effects insurance but if i were chaning the wheels i'd go to ultraleggaras or maybe the r56 jcs 'bbs-alikes' as i think either would look good on an r53 mcs..

[JCW]

Different tyres suit different cars/wheel sizes/driving styles so its hard to make a definitive statement regarding the superiority of one make over another, however I've always found GSD-3s to work the best so they should suit the MINI but remember that although the OEM wheels tend to be heavier than others you will still be lowering the unsprung weight of the wheel/tyre combination by using 'normal' tyres so you will see the benefit.

[beeej]

I went from 17" to nimbler 16", and I use Goodyear Eagle DS3s. Life is good!