I'm looking at getting a set of dedicated winter wheels with snows for my wife's 2015 Mini Cooper S 4-door. It has 17" factory wheels with run-flats. I really don't want run-flats, as we just don't like the feel of those, especially with our pot-holed roads in the winter season.

Quick question on TPMS - I am in New Hampshire and have bought parts from BavAuto on numerous occasions. They don't always have the best prices, but they do have excellent parts and service. They have a TPMS kit for ~$70/each. PelicanParts has a similar price, with an even higher price in both cases for "OEM" - although I know Mini/BMW didn't probably produce the part themselves. TireRack, however, is charging just $33/wheel for TPMS. Does anyone have experience getting these to work with their Mini? I am skeptical, but I also just wonder if they bury the cost elsewhere. That's fine, I just don't want to pay for them to be mounted/balanced/etc. and then find out that they don't work, and have to pay $280 + have my local shop install the correct TPMS, then mount and balance the tires again.

Any experience with a full TireRack-sourced setup including TPMS?

 

Can't speak to the TPMS setup, but I have used a LOT of different snow/winter tires and bang for the buck, it's hard to beat the General Altimax Arctic. Great tire, and a lot less than the big brand offerings.

 

TPMS sensors are pretty much universal they just need to be matched. Ive bought a full set from Tire Rack, ebay, etc.. and havent had any issues

 

Thanks for the thoughts. In our case, we're likely to go for a Michelin Pilot Alpin or X-Ice, as I've found those to be better suited to our use, which is dry roads (and highway) most of the time except specifically during a storm, and getting out of our driveway. We also have two AWD wagons, one with brand-new snows on it; the other being a Volvo XC70, so we won't be driving the Mini in the worst weather anyway.

That's good to hear, thanks! I called Tire Rack and the guy who answered said they were guaranteed to work, gave me his name, and said to contact him directly if any issues came up, which he's sure will not.

There is an $80 rebate from Tire Rack right now on a bunch of snows, so I'll be able to get a complete setup. wheels/tires/mounted/TPMS for about $1,050. Hard to beat that! (Admittedly, I've had great luck with Craigslist for my older 3-series, but there are quite a few more of those around compared to Minis).

 

Make sure you get the right ones for the F56+ platform: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-problem.html VDO ones are good. $227 and free ship right now.

 

Thanks, I'm hopeful that these will work; I spoke to a person who gave me his name and guaranteed these were compatible. I'm thinking I should swap out ONE of my summer wheels for a winter wheel and see if the TPMS connects ok, just so I know before several months pass and I put all four on, only to find they don't work - when we actually need them.

*(yes, yes, of course I wouldn't drive the car around more than necessary with one tire being totally different from the other three*)