While my MINI makes its way across the Atlantic, I want to look into winter tire/rim options. Anyone planning on putting some 16s on with cheap rims for the winter? Who knows what size tires I should be looking for?

Thanks.

 

Well, I do hope your talking about a Countryman. ???

So, if you are, you might reconsider 16s on the 5 lug hubs, since wheel gap is going to be excessive.

Per another thread, wheels are 5x120 which matches out to some of the BMW line. Make sure the offset is correct and the brakes clear.

I need to look at the standard fitments, but I am thinking a 225 is standard, so you could go 215 on snows.

I would stay in the 17 or 18 inch ranges.

If I can find the right wheels, I would do Hankook or Blizzack in the non-runflat style.

Hankook has a very good tire in the iPike snow.

Don

 

Yes it is a countryman. I was think 16 would be less expEnsive. Arent they putting 16s standard on euro models

 

I think oem sizes are 205/60/16 or 205/55/17 or 225/45/18.

 

205/55/17 is the OEM Size RFs.

 

Does one really need snow tires on the AWD Countryman? I suppose if you live in the really snowbound parts of the country, but I sure hope that a good set of all season tires will work just fine on this AWD version. My Subaru Outback from years ago was excellent with all seasons and that was back during some serious blizzard activity here in the NY/NJ metro area...

 

If you get snow, snow tires are definitely better than all season tires, even with AWD.

 

Well yes, but then it depends how much snow comes down regularly.

My Coopers have all be great in the snow - with snow tires. Last year during a blizzard coming up from Maryland back to NY..on the NJ Turnpike and into Westchester County on the Hutchinson River Turnpike my Clubman Cooper automatic with snow tires plugged right along while there were spin outs all over the place...including one poor MCS with what must have been runflats - they were big wheels.

For the Countryman AWD it just seems that the need for snow tires should be a lot less - unless you live in one of the snow belts. Otherwise, I would have to ask myself why bother with AWD, just get some dedicated wheels w/snow tires as I have now if I want the bigger 4 door version?

I'm just thinking out loud. My dealer in Stamford, CT, did not feel that snow tires were necessary on the AWD, whereas he does recommend them for the Cooper and Clubman - S or not...if you see what I'm saying.

If I lived in Buffalo, NY, or Vermont, or Idaho or Colorado...that would be different, I'm sure. I live in Westchester County, outside of NYC, just south of Stamford.

P.S. OK, I amend my post above. It does seem to me that the smartest thing to do with any of these versions is to get snow tires.

 

Tire rack.com is now listing Countryman winter tires.

 

Thanks!

 

I have been researching 16" wheels for winter use on the CM. The bolt pattern 5 x 120 is standard BMW fare. Some of the older 3 series (E46) 16 x 7 wheels should fit as they have an offset of 47. Same for the E85 series Z4 16 x 7 wheels, they should also fit.
The E82 1 series coupe wheels should also fit - the 16 x 7 type 140, 151, 222, and 255; and the 17 x 7 type 141 and 256 have the required high offset of 44 to 47.
The only caveat is the centerbore - the BMW wheels have a 72.5 CB - if the MINI CM does also, then all the above wheels from BMW will fit the CM.
As for the tires, the 205/60R16 size is ideal, being only 5mm shorter than the stock 205/55R17 size from the factory.

 

Centerbore on the Countryman is 72.5

The plot thickens...

 

I will have a go instaling my BMW wheels this evening and figure out for sure if they fit

Any ideas how to track down some mini center caps ?

 

Spaner:

Let us know how it goes! Are the BMW wheels 17"?

Thanks,

Paul.

 

Check on www.minicarparts.net, specifically:

http://www.minicarparts.net/Parts/36_13_6_758_687.cfm

I don't know if those will fit, but worth a shot I found them by accident looking around for wheels.

 

@ kenningtons yes they are 17". They are some cheapie ASA wheels I got from tire rack a while back - I think they were 52 offset

@ dayslikethis - those stickers look perfect thank you!!!!!

Will post back in a couple of hours on install

 

Did they fit? What model Countryman do you have?

 

Hi folks

I installed some BMW e90 wheels on my Countryman ALL4s


They fit just fine - same bolt pattern and center bore - I did not leave them on though as I think the stock MINI bolts were a bit short - The BMW wheels had a different offset so the hub was thicker - I will need to call the Rack to figure out what I might need. Also of note the hub lip/bore did not extend very far into the wheel , though I am guessing this will be ok as the load is taken by bolts

It seemed to clear everything ok but did not road test

Note the wheels I put on were 17" x 7.5
Wheels are marked as ET 32 which I think is the offset

BTW the turbo fans with Run Flats are very lardy - no surprise but they felt over 10lbs per wheel heavier than the ASA. I will weigh them when I reinstall the winter boots once i track down some longer bolts

My next job is to pull the bloody pads out - I forgot that these buggers shed so much - I am hoping to find EBC greens as they worked great on my MCS

 

Great news- thanks!

 

I've owned 3 Subys. The last is driven by my college aged daughter. I live in Wisconsin where we were blessed with 100" + annual snowfalls in 2 of the last 3 years.

I always ran all season tires on the Subys and they performed very well. I would expect similar results from the AWD Countryman. Other than a marginal increase in traction on an already strong peformer in snow, winter tires improve braking.

On the other hand, I have a 2011 MCSC. The first thing I did when I bought that car is order a set of Blizzaks on a set of Tire Rack Sport Edition CE wheels. The total package came to $880 mounted and delivered to my office. They are not run flats and do not have pressure sensors. Sensors would add another $220. I went with 16" wheels in spite of the fact my MCSC has the sport package with 17" wheels. I've been told 16" will outperform 17" on snow.

I've driven on snow and ice all my driving life (50+) years. Other than the three Subys, my Avalanche, and a former Mazda 4wd pickup this is right up there on snow performance with anything I've owned. Don't even ask me about my Chevy Monza V8, or my Mustang GT as snow cars.

It's really up to you. I'd be inclined to try it on all seasons first, then decide whether to maker the snow tire investment. But whatever floats your boat.

 

Tom:

I'm not so concerned about snow as ice. Without snow tires you are at a serious disadvantage because your stopping distance is so much longer on ice. Even if you drive slowly and leave a big gap, things can still go south in a heartbeat. Plus, the whole point in getting a Countryman is bacause our '04 MCS wasn't that good in the ice- even with studded, siped tires.

Hence my need for extra wheels & snow tires.

YMMV.

Paul.

 

I'll also be sporting snow tires on my Countryman (even though I'm looking at a spring arrival date, lol). I'll run them until May 1. HUGE difference in my opinion. In fact, I'm most likely taking the Blizzaks 225/45 17's off my Subie wrx and fitting it on the 17" countryman wheel (if I can confirm it will fit ok on the 205/55 17).

 

I got my Countryman S ALL4 a week ago and live in New England. So I am expecting to have to deal with a fair amount of snow. So far, not a lot on the ground, so I'll have to wait for the next storm to see how the All4 with 18" runflats handles it (temporarily).

I plan to get winter wheels and snow tires, but haven't done enough research yet to choose. I ran 16" wheels with Blizzaks on my '02 S and that seemed to work fine. So I'll probably do something similar here, maybe 17s, once I've got it figured out.

I have some nice 18" DPE S10 with Hankooks lined up for the summer. Looks like the bummer will be these brand new turbofans with runflats will be the odd man out. Suppose I can keep them as back ups or find someone that wants them.
-------
update:
Went with Toyo Observe Garit KX Winter tires.

 

215-45/17 Dunlop Wintersport M3's. A little oversized, I believe (10mm, whoopdeedoo). King of winter tires.

 

Spaner any update?

Are you driving around on these wheels yet? What hardware did you need to make it work?