Hello,

I recently ordered my baby- 06 PW MCS- black top, black bonnet
stripes and chrome mirrors and I am so excited! I received my
production number and the askMINI people told me she is scheduled
for production!

I just have a couple questions... I live in Michigan so I ordered the
all season tires instead of the performance tires...Is this a mistake?
Would I be better off to simply put snow tires on for winter?

One more thing, is there any advice from those MINI drivers who
drive their baby all year round in the arctic winters?

I would greatly appreciate any tips you guys might have!

Thanks!

P.S. I can't wait until Mid-June, hopefully that's when she'll
be in!

 

Probably where you live. Many MINI owners get the performance tires for summer and a set of steel wheels with real snow tires for the snow belt ... sounds like you.

If you lived borderline, thats different but I think you probably get real snow Tirerack always sells sets of them especially for MINIs

BEST OF LUCK!

 

Welcome to NAM,
I did the all-season thing on a set of s-lites last winter. I always had the ASC/DSC shut off, because between the LSD and equal length drive shafts I had more control. If I could afford an extra set of wheels tires I'd probably get some real winter tires (Bizzak was a common reccomendation) and put then on the S-lites I have now and run ethier summer or all-seasons the rest of the year. I'm on a set of summer tires right now and the weather is at the point where I must be very careful not to overdrive the tires as they are only rated for 60 deg. Farenhiet. I got by with the all seasons no issues, I think the S-lites are a but too wide for loose snow, and thats where different wheels with snow tires can boost driver confidance. I'd say the MINI is one of the better snow cars out there; the hardest part of winter is keeping that darn salt off the boot. Just remember to be careful and don't rely on the computer systems to save you, they can help but nothing replaces good judgement in foul weather. Do you remember which wheels you got?
I'd say two sets is ideal, but I felt fine with the all seasons.

Hope this helps. June will be here before you know it.
Motor On

 

Hello,

I ordered the 17" S-Lites (Run Flat All-Seasons).

Thanks for the advice!

 

We got our 06 JCW MCS in the middle of a snowstorm and the tires that come with the car are pretty bad in snow or on ice. We went to www.tirerack.com and got a complete set of 16" wheels (Kosei K1) and Michelin X-Ice tires, now the car is awesome in snow and on ice. The Michelins are better than Blizzaks because once the tread is worn halfway down on the Blizzaks, the rubber compound changes and they become an all season tire, not a winter tire. My only recommendations for winter driving is to carry a de-icing spray to clear off the headlights(never scrape them), and change all the wipers to one of those low profile styles that don't have hinges-the hinges get all bunged up with snow/ice and become useless. Also, resist the temptation to lower your car and definitely get the heated seats.

 

Thanks Iceman, I appreciate it!

The de-icing spray is a great idea!

 

The s-lites are a larger heavier wheel than most of the OEM options for the MINI so they will settle in preety well, like I said though there a bit on the wider side. Good news is winter just finished and you'll have plenty of time to decide which option should be best for you.

 

Pirelli Snowsports (runflats) on R83 wheels. Performed well this Canadian winter, including ski trips. Using all-seasons the rest of the year.