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According to BMW "Star" marked tires are essential on the All4 Mini as ordinary tires can cause the electronicaly controlled 4 wheel drive gear train to tie itself in knots, but local BMW dealers did not know of any Star marked all seasons tires.
Still looking for tips on best Tires 235X40X18 for Audi S4V8 Quatro living near Inverness; less concerned about mpg or noise most concerned about handling / steering sensitivity and wet / icy conditions.
Manufacturers love that line, but I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of people running non * marked tires with no issue.
Can you please direct me to some All4 Mini owners who have had "No Issues" with non Star marked tires ?
A tire dealer assured me that they had had "No trouble" with ordinary tires on a Mini, but when pressed conceded that it was not a 4 wheel drive Mini.
Why would a BMW dealer not expecting me to buy tires from them be so adamant that non Star marked tires could accelerate wear on my All4 Mini transmission ?
I have no such sources, I don't own a BMW mini. I'd suggest getting over to an owners forum and seeing what people are doing in the real world. Dealers advice is often as cautious and on brand message as possible.
Need all season tires for two very different cars, Inverness weather. All 4 Mini and Audi S4 ( Quatro 350 BHP V8). Very brassed of with Michelin, tires perishing after 7 years, Michelin said get stuffed, over 6 years old.
So need a BMW Allwheel drive star marked tire for the Mini All4 (MUST be star marked )
and very positive handling all season for the S4 Vredesteiin or Continental ?
Any suggestions gratefully recd
Sadly I'm not in a position to know what's * marked and what isn't in your various sizes. The 7 year rule is fair though, no one recommends using tires after 5 years of use.
It is mentioned in the results summary that the Michelin CrossClimates got a "poor curved aquaplaning result" but there is no curved aquaplaning graph?
We don't cover every element tested, you can check out the Auto Motor Und Sport website for the curved aqua testing :)
Thanks!
Hi Tire Reviews, I've just bought a mid engined 2006 MR2 Roadster, and I want to get some all season tires to use over the winter months to avoid any hairy moments if it gets frosty. I was all set to get Continental All Season Contact (theoretically the best available in my staggered sizes - 215/45 16 and 185/55 15). Then I saw the above test, and saw that the Vredestein Quatrac 5 gets a score of 9 for subjective (the same as the reference summer tire), and is said to have the best steering response. As I am keen to retain as sporty a feel as possible in normal conditons, I'm now leaning towards the Vred instead. Is my logic sound, or am I being overly led by the results of a single test? Thanks
Your logic is both good in both directions. The Conti is a great tire, but the Vred is very good for the size and the Vred has been noted to have great steering in a number of tests now. The other option is CrossClimate but i presume not available in your awkward sizes?
Thanks. Yeah, Crossclimate unavailable. I've emailed Michelin and they've no intention at present of making them in my rear size. Think I'll try the Vred
Whatever you go for, let me know how you find them :)
Hello Again, got my Vredestein Quatrac 5 fitted today, and took car out on some choice roads. Really, really pleased. Instantly make the car really secure, even in this unseasonably mild weather we're having here in the south at the mo. Roads just starting to get the first fall of leaves which, mixed with rain, create that greasy road feeling and the car just felt planted, even over bumpy, twisty negative camber back lanes. My first ever tire with snowflake mountain symbol, so I've got nothing to compare them to. But the tires I bought the car with, three weeks ago, were Tigar Prima front - drastically lacking feel, and Bridgestone Potenza RE040 rear - apparently good in it's day, but honestly a bit skittish. Compared to those, my new Vreds have more feel at the front, about the same feel at the back, and more grip across the board. So, it looks like I've got what I wanted. Difficult for me to imagine a siped tire feeling more sporty. Can't wait to try them in cold weather ...
Excellent, glad you like them :)
John - I've got the same car and I've gone for the TS860's, so we can compare notes on MR2ROC in March ;)
Thanks for the reviews (to the other John!)...
Nice one. Just got my Vred Quatracs fitted today and lovin em! Feel really secure
There's no graph for the snow performance?
VERY good point! I've updated the article to include the graphs!