Best place for new tyres - Mini, not Maserati

[JonW]

Hi all,

My daily driver is a Mini Cooper S, and I’ve decided to treat it to four new tyres. The two fronts have, I think, got a slow puncture, and given that the tyres are currently cheap Hankooks (which came with the car), I’d rather swap them all out for something decent.

So - two questions:

1) Where would any of you recommend if I was looking to buy four new tyres online?

2) Any thoughts on the best all-season tyres around for a R53 Cooper S (205/45R17)?

 

[outrun]

I used Vredestein Quatrac on my r56 cooper s and they where excellent. One of the first things I did was get the Firestone runflats it came with off and went non-runflat. My new Mini is OK on the runflats it came with so I guess they have now worked out how to tune the suspension to suit the brick hard sidewall ont the runflats.

Our other cars both have Michelin CrossClimate on them and they are superb.

I always find BlackCircles has the best fitted prices. You can save a modest amount buying tyres and having a local fitter out them on but it's a pain in the proverbial. BlackCircles deliver to an installer of your choice and gives you an appointment time so it's an easier purchase experience.

 

[Corranga]

I've bought tyres from, and would recommend both Camskill and Boss tyres, multiple sets from each. Actually come to think of it, I've use mytyres as well, though they took longer as they shipped from Germany.
The first 2 were very reasonably priced and are reliable, mytyres were unbeatable for winters. Both don't have any fitting deals (some website do) so you need to figure out were to get them fitted.

If you don't mind a bit of hassle, it might be worth checking eBay for wheels, maybe not for an R53, but I just bought a second set for my F55 Cooper S with less then 80 miles only for not much more than the cost of 4 tyres (though I also had to order tpms valves).

Outrun, interesting to hear the mini is good on run flats, I avoided them like the plague and bought a car with normal tyres on 17s. No JCW big brakes here though.

 

[zagatoes30]

Often use Mytyres always competitive on price if your not in a rush but now our local place price matches either my tyres or black circles

 

[midlifecrisis]

I often find myself either using black circles or mytyres. You can go further but you'd only end up with analysis paralysis and saving a quid or two but wasted time.

 

[lifes2short]

I seem to be buying off eBay for the daily runners, if you keep your eyes peeled you can get some real bargains, my X5 20 inch wheels with the huge 315 and 275 boots would of cost over £1000 for the rubber. Got a complete set of 20 inch genuine BMW wheels with virtually brand new Bridgestone Dueller RFT tyres for £750 and then sold the old alloys for £400. Did the same with the wife's mini sidewalk with Pirelli 205/45 17. Wouldn't buy individual tyres on eBay as you they may have been repaired and/or run on when flat and damaging the sidewall.

 

[Gazcw]

I used Vredestein Quatrac on my r56 cooper s and they where excellent. One of the first things I did was get the Firestone runflats it came with off and went non-runflat. My new Mini is OK on the runflats it came with so I guess they have now worked out how to tune the suspension to suit the brick hard sidewall ont the runflats.

Our other cars both have Michelin CrossClimate on them and they are superb.

I always find BlackCircles has the best fitted prices. You can save a modest amount buying tyres and having a local fitter out them on but it's a pain in the proverbial. BlackCircles deliver to an installer of your choice and gives you an appointment time so it's an easier purchase experience.

Just about to buy crossclimate for the Alfa. Eco-tyres are selling 4x 225 45 17 for £195. Just need to fit and balance at my local then

 

[Scaf]

I always do some research on line to get the price sorted, the visit my favourite independent who always match the or beat the price and I am guaranteed to get tyres at the best price fitted by the trusted fitters .......

 

[FIFTY]

Black circles or asdatyres for me

 

[JonW]

Thanks all - am going to order 4 tyres through blackcircles. Looks like there’s an accredited place on the way to the station I commute in from...

Now I just need to decide which tyres!

 

[hoyin]

I use blackcircles too.

But I also use a fitter from their site that actually comes to your house and fits them. Same fitting price as going to their shop.

Saves me a shed load of time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tan55555]

It can be worth looking at tyres on the drive, last time I needed a couple for the people carrier they had a special offer which worked out cheaper than black circle, and they either come to your home or work to fit them. Super convenient, I drove to work, left the key at reception, then had new tyres when I looked at lunchtime. Also both of these are on Quidco.

 

[wifedrivestheclio]

Slightly off topic, but having spent some time looking at tyres this year I have a settled approach depending on whether the car is a daily or toy.

If a daily then I find the best deal (usually tyreleader) and get my local trusted fitter to put them on. It is more time consuming but usually cheapest option and I chose who fits.

For toys, the age of the tyre comes into play as I won’t do enough miles to worry about tread wear. I therefore ask my local fitter to quote (my experience is they will be at least 6 months younger), and go with them unless much cheaper online.

 

[FF1078]

Always Camskill for me.

 

[dunnah01]

Tyreleader tend to be very competitive and have fitting agreements all over the place

 

[midlifecrisis]

Beware of the part time fitter that only does them on Saturdays as I found out. Bought the tyres with fitting included arranged a time midweek but went round to the place and he only does it Saturdays as it interrupts his regular mechanicking work...

 

[conaero]

Just priced up Michelin PS4's on tyre leader....£750 plus VAT, which is very good. Must work harder burning out the Pirelli's

 

[outrun]

I used Tyre Leader once and the tyres took about 3 weeks to show up. They have zero customer services and are based in Germany. Basically they sold tyres that they didn't have and made no attempt to inform me of that or keep me up to date with delivery. Won't use them again. With Black Circles, I have them sent directly to the fitter, whom I trust, and so even though it may be very slightly more money, it's a better experience.

 

[JonW]

Thanks for all the comments - I’ve decided to buy a set of Continental Premium Contact 6 (top tyre of 2018 per Evo) and the car is booked in for Friday morning at my local trusted garage...

 

[TridentTested]

The two fronts have, I think, got a slow puncture

Very unusual to have two slow punctures. Do some googling on the Mini's forums and see if your alloys are prone to being porous.