[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]I’m a newbie MINI owner, bought a used 2006 S Convertible last week and need a set of Wisconsin snow wheels and tires. The car has 17” performance tires now, and from all the reading I’ve been doing on the NAM forums, I’m confused about switching to 15 or 16 wheels for winter. I live in a the burbs between Madison and Sun Prairie WI, and have a 5 mile drive to work that is on open country roads.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]What is your suggestion for a year round MINI driver – not a racer, not worried about looks so much as best bet for a mid-west winter?[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Thanks![/SIZE][/FONT]

 

Don't worry about running the extra set of 17" rims which you have. Just get some snow tires mounted and you will be happy with the way it handles. Besides bald tires there is nothing worse than OEM performance run flats in the snow.

The MCS will not cut through the snow like the ALL4 but that is mostly do to height. We were only stranded at home once last year. It was during the really bad snow day when Gov. Walker decided we should all be at work, even though it was a "state of emergency" and the public should not be out traveling on the roads :(

 

Which snow tires are better? Hard to say. Many opinions exist. Tire technology keeps evolving. Most important is just having something other than Summer/All Season tires. Many people are happy following the suggestions of the Tire Rack's user opinions. We are currently in our 3rd season running the Pirelli Winter SnowSport tires and have not been unhappy with them. I realize after looking at the retail selection, the reason most people switch to a smaller wheel size is to have better winter tire options.

 

I do have a spare set of 17" OEM MINI 5-spoke wheels with 2 almost new run flats and 2 worn ones (dealer added these to sweeten the deal). I'll probably post those for sale sometime. On the car are 17" ENKEI wheels and non-runflats in great shape.

For winter, I've decided to get new 15" wheels and snows - the cost to get 15" wheels and tires isn't a whole lot more than buying 4 new 17" winter tires, and I think I'll get better ride and traction on the 15" tires.

 

dabeamer, You may need to search to see if you can run a 15" rim- I think you need a 16" to clear the brake calipers. See link to tire rack they show 16" on what they sell. http://www.tirerack.com/snow/WinterP...Before+05%2F06

 

Thanks, 03BRG. Been on Tire Rack - and will be ordering 16" wheels and Blizzaks today. We had our first snow yesterday - so I'll be ready for the real stuff!

 

Curious what exactly you bought, as I'm looking to mount snow tires on my current 16" rims and get different rims for summer. (I have the current OEM rim (for 2011) and dislike it.)

Shana
Milwaukee

 

I ran 15" steelies with Nokian WR tires on my 2005 S. You would have no clearance issues with 15s.

 

I ended up with:
Rims: 16x6.5 MSW Type 15 Silver
Tires: 195/55R-16 Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D DSST RunFlat
From Tire Tack - paid for normal ground shipping and they were delivered and stacked outside my garage the NEXT DAY!

Waiting for the first Wisconsin snowfall before I put them on the car. I'll update this winter after I've driven on them.