My Minin S is on the boat due to arrive in 4 days Oct.30. Its begining to get cold in NY and i'm starting to think snow. Now my Mini S is fitted with All Season Run Flats, but I'm starting to think of snow tires ( 4?, 2 in front?) are they needed? Any body with experience/ advice? Cost$$ ?

 

Check out Bridgestone Blizzack LM-25. They are quiet and great traction in wet and light snow. I'm running 215/45/17s with no problem. Same diameter as my stock run-flats.

 

there's lots of threads with this same question... search...

What part of NY? Is the MINI your only car? Do you need to be able to drive it every day regardless of the weather or can you stay home on the bad days?

If you're going to get snow tires, you need to get 4. Getting two does you no good.

 

As noted, it depends upon whether you need to drive the car every day, regardless of weather. This will be my first winter with the Mini, and even though it's our "extra" car, I picked up some winter tires. I'm a big believer in them. I've run four winter tires on an older Mercedes wagon (rear drive, of course) with traction control, and on uphill stretches I've driven by slipping SUVs. Today's winter tires make a huge difference -- it's a shame more people don't use them.

 

Advice from a Central NYer (for any Upstate NYer):

1) Always get a set of 4 wheels (front wheel drive cars can get real squirrelly when braking with just 2 up front).
2) Get tires 1 size narrower than your regular ones (or the minimum regular width).
3) Consider a rim 1 size smaller to give you more sidewall for "pothole protection" (even with run flats the ride is "softer" - better on ice and hard packed snow, too).

With JCW Brakes I built up a winter wheel package with Pirelli run flats and O.Z. alloy rims on The Tire Rack for under $900. If your MCS is going to used as a regular winter commuter, think about one of their "winter package" (see Tires, Wheels & Brakes Forum for details).

If you have the standard brakes, I know another CNYer who is selling 4 Blizzaks on 15" MINI rims used last winter for $550. His problem is they won't fit his new GP! You can also check in the Marketplace / Wheels and Tires for Sale Forum for other private sale options.

Good hunting. And, enjoy Motoring. We have - 9K this summer.