Hakka 7's here on my 2002 MCS. If the Finns don't know snow tires no one does. Used these on other vehicles and like the R's that Hoydi Cheng has, nothing stops them. Plus, they are studdable, if your state/locality allows.

Cheers and motor on,
Arklazak

 

Anyone else running 18 inch winter tires? If yes, which tires did you install, and what do you think?

So far as I can see, Pirelli is the only manufacturer that makes 18 inch run flat winter tires to fit the CM. Consumer Reports rates several other performance winter tires higher, but not substantially higher. They rated the Pirellis only "fair" for noise and dry braking.

And then we have to make the decision to go run flat or non run flat. We do like the security of having a run flat tire, especially given that we will not be carrying a spare, although we will carry a couple of cans of fix a flat. But we like the less jarring ride of the non run flats, so long as it doesn't take much away from the handling. When we switched to non run flats on our R53, the razor sharp handling was not quite as razor sharp.

 

For me switching from RF Continental to non RF Michelin improved handling dramatically.
Steering is more sharp, better road grip especially on less than perfect roads.

 

Do you have 18" wheels? Which Michelin winter tires did you buy? Consumer Reports seems to be consistent with Michelin's website in that the Xice 3's seems have the absolute best winter traction, but at the expense of not being as good handling as the Pilot Alpin PA3's.

 

I have Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 tires mounted on 17" wheels.
So far love them, did not have chance to test in snow...

 

i bought oem mini 16" wheels as used in europe

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2011-C...oys/ES2159816/

the specs are R123 Alloy 5 Hole Circular Spoke Wheel 16" (5x120) Silver, 16 X 6.5 ET:46

and 205/70R-16 Dunlop Grandtrek SJ non-rf tires from alex @ tirerack

the 205/70s fit with no rubbing

my speedo reads .6 (6/10) mph lower than i am actually going, compared to 1.9 mph higher than actual with the summer tires

the first 2 photos compare the winters to the 225/45-18 summer tires on turbofan white wheels











scott

 

finally got a chance to try the 205/70R-16 Dunlop Grandtrek SJ non-rf winter tires today

where i am, we got very little snow, but have a nice cover of ice

these tires + the cms all4 drivetrain + the computer are fantastic!

the DSC is very aggressive/intrusive, i like TRACTION mode better

turning DSC/TRACTION off highlights just how good winter tires are

most impressive is the stopping ability, i am going to have to keep one eye on the rearview

scott