About to pull the trigger on a 2007 MCS (w/ 17" performance RFTs) for She Who Must Be Obeyed. The winters here are not super harsh but she will be commuting long distances and there is enough snow and ice to warrant summer/winter shoes. I'm thinking of getting 205/45R17 winter RFTs on 17" wheels (either steel or cheapies). Can anybody who's done this offer me some advice? In particular:

1) Can the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) be used with steelies? Does it need special wheels? Where do I get a second set of TPMS and have them installed, can only the dealer provide this service?

2) How to deal with the 2 sets of TPMS. Can the Mini recognize 2 sets of TPMS or do I have to resync twice a year? Is that a PITA?

3) Winter tire recommendations? On another car I have a set of Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSports. While they grip well in the snow and ice, they feel spongy in the dry. I understand that winter tires are never going to grip in the dry like summers or even all seasons, but is there a winter tire that is better when it's dry out?

Thanks for the help.

 

Bump with same questions. Anyone???

 

That is a good question.
Personally, I think it is always going to be a compromise.
I am getting ready to order Pirelli 240 Snow Sport 205 45R17 non rft on 17 inch rims.
Use them when temps drop below 40 degrees or so, and in warmer situations keep my Pirelli Euforias RFT on the stock web spoke wheels.

Question I have is ..... what about the sensors for low air?

Any thoughts.