So after 2 years of placing my Countryman in storage for the winter, I need to drive it thru the winter this year. I've read many of the posts here, so I'm currently down to 4 options, wondering which is the best way to go.

1) Buy a set of tires locally (Nokian Hakka), quoted around $850 for 17 inch tires mount my my existing rims. Which means I need to do a tire change over each spring/fall to the tune of $60 each time going forward ($120/year)

2) But a set of Pirelli Tires from Tirerack, 17 in, about $750, and do the same tire change over each year

3) Buy a set of wheels & tires ( Blizzack) 16 in from Tirerack, $1100, but no changeover going forward

4) Someone local is selling a set of 4 Blizzack - 205-45-17, only 1k miles of use for $250. Great deal, but will they fit the original rims and are they too narrow?

So what does the knowledeable driver s here say......

Buy the used Blizzak's and a set of either new or used wheels get them mounted you should have about $750 into it all and change them your self twice a year. Going on my 3rd year of doing just that. The 205's should fit if you get the correct wheels.

first ... if your original wheels are 17 inch, your stock tires were 205/55R17

205/45R17 winter tires are too small ... you will lose ground clearance

you can buy 4 16 inch mini oem steel wheels from ecstuning for $446

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2012-C...eel/ES2707746/

then buy 4 dunlop 205/70R16 grandtrek sj6 studless ice and snow tires from tirerack for $340 less $50 rebate

http://m.tirerack.com/tires/TireResu...=16&zipCode=#0

i am going on my 4th winter on these

they are excellent tires

Thanx's for the Help, looks like the Craigslist tires are out, not worth it if I can't reuse my existing rims.

Tirerack has a set of Aluminum rims for the same price you list for the OEM steel rims, so I'd rather have the better looking rims. I've done steel rims for winter before on other cars, just hate the look & rust

A big expense for new rims/tires is the TPMS, Tirerack is changing $225. They indicate that no visit to the dealer is require, so I guess I just need to go into the computer options and select "reset", much like when I have a Low Pressure warning. I'd skip the TPMS, but the TPMS warning removes the speed from the tach window, and I couldn't deal with that all winter. Anyone forgo the TPMS or have issues with aftermarket sensors?

my all4 on 16x6.5 et 46 mini oem alloys and 205/70R16 winters dunlop grandtrek sj6

Nice, I think that the 16's are the way to go. Do you have the TPMS sensors installed? Since my car wouldn't be inspected until next spring, I could get away without TMPS sensors if I can override the warning displays in the instruments.

yes, i have TPMS in the winter wheels