I'm looking on tirerack and it has two sizes.
Preferred and alternate.
Preferred: 195/60 R15
Alternate: 175/65 R15

I'm not sure which one to get (except obviously the
preferred ones but I would like to know what those are
preferred and if they are indeed the correct tire).

It doesn't help me that much to see what tire is on it now.
I got a used set of wheels way back. I think they have either
165 or 175/65 R15 on them now.

Thanks.

 

If you get a lot of snow the 175 is going to be better. I tend to buy my snow tires in a thin size. I'm sure either will work. What brand & style of snow tire are you looking at?

 

I am getting the Bridgestone Blizzak.
I will only use these on actual snow days.
Which in NC really means ice and slush days.
When the bad weather clears up I will just put my normal tires back on.

 

Conventional wisdom says narrower, taller tires work better in snow so the 175/65 should be better in snow conditions. I have 195/60 Blizzaks for my winter tires and I notice considerably less grip on dry pavement than my summer tires which are Bridgestone Turanzas. I would assume that while the 175/65s would be better in snow, they would have less grip than the 195/60s on dry pavement. My opinion would be if you live in an area that has snow/ice on the roads much of the winter, go with the 175/65s. Since you live in an area where the snow/ice is occasional, go with the 195/60s like I did.

 

175 fits 5-6" wide wheels.
195 fits 5.5-7" wide wheels.
OEM wheel size is 5.5"

The size may be stamped on your wheels.

 

You gonna change you tires every time it might snow?!
I run 195 snows on my S (aftermarket 15 rims..6.5 width)...with less hp, a cooper could use either...partly depends on the width of your rims....oem cooper rims are 5.5 inch...so either is ok...but many aftermarket rims are 6.5...so imo 195 is about the narrowest you want to go...the info on the tires will list a specific rim width limits based on the tires sidewalls (super soft on a snowtire).
WITH A FRICTION SNOWTIRE...aka, a blizzack, width equals more traction in ice due to the special rubber compounds....the NARROWER theory is advise left over from when snows used regular rubber with deep tread ( back when studs were used on ice, and deep tread for snow)..the basic advise still holds for all-seasons used as snow tires.....
Bilzzacks can feel "greasy" above 50° or so...and are pretty bad in the rain...great in the snow/ice....

 

Thanks everyone!
Yes I intend to change the tires each
and every time it snows. I should have
said this better above. So I'm only
concerned with the best snow and ice
traction.

I would have gotten these things three,
four, years ago but I put it off as I had
access to my wife's Suzuki (don't now).

 

And it never snows unexpectedly when you are already away from home? I got caught out by the first snowfall last year, and my 15 mile commute home on the summer tyres after the snow during the work day was terrifying...

 

It rained a lot around here yesterday, so there was quite a bit of water on the roads, and some big patches of standing water too. I have the Blizzaks on, and even with the traction control on it was really easy to get wheelspin from a standing start, or a slide on cornering if I put a bit too much throttle on too early. They are great in the cold and dry, or snow and ice though.

 

Yeah...living "on the border" with mass, while I love a good snowtire, I have gone with a different snow tire....perelli snowsport 210's...( they still make a similar powder tire as opposed to ice/snow tread)a speed rated snowtire..more like an allseasson tread...but snowtire rubber...does better in the dry and slightly warm, fine in the rain...still pretty darn good in the snow...think they were discontinued and mine have about 3000-5000 miles of use left...blizacks are awesome all in snow tires...but not living a bit further north...they are a bit of overkill for me...too many drawbacks on dry roads or in the rain....been looking at a few alternatives, cause I do not want to change my tires TWO TIMES A WEEK...or chance finding an icy spot under a bridge on an otherwise nice day....imo snows are best left on the car for 4 months or so....

 

Thanks. I totally understand the above.
With our weather here I expect to use them
three to four days at a time maybe
three times a year.

 

Im running, 195 Blizzaks on my R56, I live in Fairbanks AK where the roads are pure ice in the winter, so far so good. It makes a world a difference here to switch to the blizzaks in the winter time.