I called my Mini dealer to ask what snow tires they recommend for my base Mini with 15" wheels. At first two reps said unequivocally "Blizzaks!" Then the parts guy is looking up my size and says they're not on the Mini-approved list. Doesn't really know why, guesses it has something to do with handling. So he suggests Pirellis instead.

Anyone have any experience with Blizzaks on 15" wheels or know why Mini wouldn't approve of one of the top snow tires for this size wheel?

 

I have Blizzaks on 15" wheels on my 2004 MCS. But I bought them from TireRack, not the dealer.

 

Not sure what the hell they're talking about.
Blizzak WS80 tires are available in 175/65/15 which is factory stock size.
They're also available in 185/65/15, which work just fine, and the
Blizzak WS70 tires are available in 190/60/15, which also work just fine.

Michelin X-ice XI3 tires are available in all three of those sizes - almost
as good as the Blizzaks in snow and ice, but not a mushy feeling on
roads without any snow on them.

 

cristo, it's not that they are not made in those sizes, it's that Mini doesn't have them on an approved list for the F56. Didn't know there was such a list until yesterday, but there is. So the Mini dealer is uncomfortable putting them on. Why such a top-rated tire is not on the list is the question.

 

I am currently running blizzaks ws80 on my 15s. They are excellent in all winter wet/snow/dry conditions.

 

Is your Mini an F56?

 

F55 close enough

 

pppdxx thanks for the info, good to know you are happy with them. What I'm getting from the dealer though, is they're not recommended specifically for the f56 w/15" wheels. I haven't been able to find out what's different about the f56 in this regard from other models. And of course the dealer doesn't know either. Go figure.

 

Maybe because they are not run-flat tires?

 

No run-flats in 15" anyway. I'd like to see the list (for 15, 16, 17, and 18, if possible).
Probably has the tires they routinely sell and ignores the others.

Actually, this is probably the list, and yep, it's all the ones sold through MINI dealers.

This link on this page takes you it, and Michelin X-ice is on the list (last page of tires).
BTW, if you select my car (2003 Cooper), there are zero approved tires. Guess I can't drive anymore.
http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu...ces/tires.html

 

Order from Tire Rack and have independent installer put them on. There is nothing wrong with using that tore on your car. I have used them on all my MINI's...they are great!

 

Let me add that the blizzaks are H speed rated just like the factory all season Michelin tires. The mini approved list is arbitrary and means nothing.

 

The parts guy at the dealership thinks it's based on some evidence, but I've come to the same conclusion as you. Right now I'm way out in the country and it's snowing like hell. I've got sand in back of the car, shovel and traction plates, but I ain't going nowhere for 2-3 days!

 

Whats the tire size ? on the 15" , if its the 175/65/15 like all other MINI, those are the snow tires you need.

 

ECSTuning, yes, that's the size, it's just that the dealership is telling me NOT to buy the Blizzaks. And they're the supposed experts!

 

ok, well I can be the expert for you

I plus sized mine to get more options in the snow tire section , but 175/65/15 i have ran before , they are just hard to find in that size sometimes.

 

Just curious, did you purchase or lease? I could see MINI being particular about a lease return with a non 'approved' tire. But that's just a best-guess on my part.

 

If it helps at all, we have these:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....l=Blizzak+WS60

installed on our '04 Cooper, 175-65x15s and no issues. We are on our 4th winter with them. Not sure what the dealer is talking about other than MINI won't let them install anything other than what is on their approved list. As for in the snow and other winter crap, their performance is fantastic. . I have "plowed" snow with the car with these on it. The "studless ice and snow" rating they have is also worth it. They are noticeably better than the LM-60 performance snows I have on my Cooper S. On Tire Rack, there are 18 reviews with MINIs listed and they almost all gave these tires a great review.

 

Eddie07S, yes, Mini loves these tires on all their cars EXCEPT for the f56 with 15" wheels. That's the mystery. Maybe they just haven't gotten around to updating the list.

 

Purchased. I'm sure they'd put them on if I insisted. On the other hand, they're way overpriced compared to local tire dealers.

 

If you go to SHOPMINIUSA.com you'll see for the 2015 base, S, and JCW models of f55 and f56 no cold weather tire is listed except a 195/55-16 Continental. More selections and sizes are available for the 2014 model year. This oversight is not limited to the Hardtop as convertibles, coupes, and roadsters have no cold weather tires listed for 2014 or 2105. That's a long time to not get around to it.

 

Have you considered purchasing a tire/wheel package in 16" wheels with the Blizzaks? Having a dedicated set ofwinter wheel/tire setup makes for instant home installation and not dependent on getting to tire installer. Also do not need to haul the tires around to the installer and back. After so many tire installations, the wheels will pay for themselves.

 

" dedicated set of winter wheel/tire setup makes for instant home installation " and saves all the switch and mounting of tires // wheels and extends both sets in the long run. Had this set up on both my MINI with the steelies.