I know it's early yet, but has anyone had any experience with snow tires for the Countryman ALL4?

 

Search for "snow" in another forum:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nd-brakes-367/

 

I highly recommend going with Nokian WR G2, absolutely the best snow tire unless you need something studded. Not sure what size to go with yet though.

 

Look at your sidewalls. That will give you a good idea as to what you need.

 

I've always run Bridgestone Blizzaks on my BMWs from December to March. I've never had a problem in snow. I'm looking forward to seeing what this thing can do this winter with some snow tires on it..
I'm usually stuck driving the Jeep to my cabin WV. Maybe I can get the Mini there this year..

 

I'm not being limited by the crappy tire sizes Mini chose, not enough selections. Looking to do 225/50R17 (same basic wheel circumference as stock), just need to verify no rubbing and they fit on the rim. If not may need to go 215/50R17 or 215/55R17.

 

Advantage Nokian WR G2, simply because they are as good as any performance winter snow like Blizzaks LM-25 (actually better) in the snow, but they are rated as an all season, so they don't turn to slop on warmer days, or a cleared roads.

 

Yea, I knew where you were going. Just wanted to hear you say it.

 

Hi guys...this will probably seem like a stupid question to most of you, but please indulge me...I know next to nothing about cars...I had an explorer for the past 17 years...never had to think about changing tires. Will I need to switch to snow tires in the winter with my CM? I'm getting the 'S' All4 with the cold weather package. TIA

 

You wont need to unless you didn't opt. for the all seasons or got the optional 18" rims (which are only available with performance summer tires). Then you really should (or switch to all seasons) Summer tires should never be run in the snow or even very cold weather.

Many prefer the wheel switch (not tire switch, thats really not advised), so they can run a larger summer performance tire for 3 season, and a smaller snow in the winter. Plus running an all season is always a compromise. I did this for years on other cars, but eventually found a few all seasons that satisfy me enough I don't bother anymore.

 

Interesting. In last 48 years of driving, I have always found that snow tires that are narrower than stock actually perform better in the snow than wider tires. It is the reason why most tire experts advocate a -1 or -2 tire/wheel package for winter.

YMMV

 

I'm going with 225/50R17, simply because there are far more tires available in that size (I'm actually looking at all season, good in the snow) and it is almost the exact same circumference as the OE tire size. (I think its a 0.1% difference). Added bonus is the wider tires look better, but really the main motivation is better tire selection, there are specific tires I love, the Nokian WR G2 are one (Conti Extreme Contact DWS, being the other) that (as most tires) don't come in 205/55R17.

That being said a narrower tire (less rolling resistance), along with a taller sidewall (better available tire depth) is certainly superior when choosing a snow tire if you can. That is why most experts advocate downsizing, but usually by using a smaller rim (say going from 17s to 16s, or yes even 15s if possible, brake clearance becomes an issue), but with that you should always be staying as close to the OE overall circumference of the wheel, otherwise you would be effecting the spedo. and odo., along with most trip computers. I find tire calc. great in helping me figure out the effects of different tire sizes.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

Here is a Youtube video with winter vs summer. Looks like Pirelli Sotto Zero winter tires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMsUDcwwsdw

 

I took delivery of my Countryman S All4 the end of March. I work in a ski town so drove the beast for a couple of late spring snow storms. I have the performance run flat tires on the 18" sport wheel. I was nervous to see how this would react in the wet snow (especially at highway speeds). I was THRILLED how well the SUMMER tires/All4 did. Blew me away and has me thinking All Seasons MIGHT be ok for me. This is coming from someone who previous drove a Subie wrx awd WITH snow tires (snow machine).

I've had Nokians on vw's in the past...I need to look into 18" sizing based on other owners in this forum!

I'm hating my runflats for the ride quality so am thinking I may end up with a set of all seasons here soon as a compromise.

 

days, you hittin up the 'bird for the 4th of July weekend? I had the pleasure of skiing A-basin on a few powder days in May-uary. As I'm reading through the threads, I plan on having 2 sets of wheels/tires for summer/winter. Nice to see the CM being used as snowboarder/skiier transportation

 

If you go to the Pirelli website, they actually list a "Winter Sottozero Serie II" tire that comes in the OEM 17" (205/55R17) and 18" (225/45R18) sizes and are available as a runflat.

None of the online tire stores (e.g. Tire Rack) currently show these tires as even being available. Hopefully they become available before long. I like buying my winter tires in the summer time...

 

NICE. Nope, I'll actually be in TORONTO the first part of July! Glad you enjoyed skiing late season

Bentley: I don't think I can stomach runflats any longer...I definitely won't pay for a new set. Mini should have had the Pirelli's as an option when we took delivery of our vehicles. Oh well.... And yeah, me too on buying snow tires in the summer. I got a killer deal previously!