I just ordered a new MCS, and I am considering tire options tire and wheel options.

My original thought was an extra set of wheels with winter tires, but there is also the option of just putting the winter tires on the wheels I ordered with it. It's a 3 year lease, so long term considerations work only if I elect to buy it at the end of the lease. History tells me I tend to get new cars instead. I try to keep them longer, but I can't help myself. My wife thinks there should be a support group for people like me. Anyway, I am not really interested in spending a ton of money on winter tires, but I can't see my car with cheap/ugly wheels, either. I'm thinking I am **** enough that I can keep the existing wheel in good shape over the winter, but the expense of swapping tires just irritates me twice a year. Also, I have a 4WD truck that I CAN drive if it gets too bad. I would just prefer to drive the MCS with a heater and defroster that works ... and heated seats.

Also, what kind of tire wear should I expect? This car is WAY to much fun to drive to think that tires will last very long.

 

Check the "Show me your WHEELS thread - there are over 180 PAGES of pictures and comments and fitments, suspensions, etc. in there.

Searching around would give you the info you need, but generally if you're getting more than 20-25k out of a set of tires you're driving too conservatively. Rotate them often.

17's are great, the "optimum" tire size is likely a 16 for this car (ride/handling/wheel weight tradeoffs), but 17s look so good too.

Winter tires are a "must" if you've got any winter at all. Most of the stock tires that the Minis come with are not that great in snow, but on winter tires you're golden.

Cruise around the Forum, read a bit, and enjoy!

 

Check with Schomp, they do have some nice winter tires on some 17s. A bit on the $$$ side, but they look very good.

I put 16s with some Falken Ziex 912s on mine for last winter and will run them this winter. I think my next set of tires will be on some 17s S-Lites, but a winter tire non-runflat.

My 16s will be my track wheels and my 17" Webbies will be my UHP wheel and tire combo for summer drives.

I would suggest a good brand HP M&S for the Denver area, if your way south you might get a little more snow that we do up north. Anything over 4 inches I take the Jeep.

 

I use a second set of wheels/snow tires. I recommend it, my only grip is buying a second set of TPMS sensors.

 

Thanks for your advice, everyone! I should tell you all that I have gone full circle, now. I discovered that new 17" wheels with a set of Blizzaks (although not INexpensive), are not SO expensive that it doesn't make sense to go ahead and buy them. Even with having to buy extra sensors. My only real struggle is that I am so cheap that it bothers me that unless I buy the MINI at the end of the lease, I will have wasted the cost of the new wheels. Considering the cost of remonting and balancing tires twice a year, it might not be that much of a waste.

 

I'll bet it's cheaper than your insurance deductible, will save wear and tear on your regular tires (may actually save you a purchase of a set), and they'll have some resale value. You may be also able to go with 16's and the slightly higher sidewall they offer - and a little lower price....

 

I'm in denver and I use 15 inch holeys with some Kumho ASX tires. Works fine and has for a while...

 

Buy some blizzaks from tirerack. Forget about the cost - it is worth it. I will never go back to all seasons in the winter up here. Forget about it.

 

I have gone to dedicated wheels mounted with winter tires. Tires are from
Discount, wheels are MINI (BMW) winters. The combination of mag chloride and brake dust plays havoc with any wheels you may wish to keep presentable. My former 80% worn all seasons let me down big time on an I-70 entrance ramp.

 

Agreed!

I live near Buffalo and have never been stuck with these tires!....but, this is a new year and I don't wan't to jinx myself...

Dave

 

Wow! You have to trust someone from Saskatoon, Canada on THIS subject!!!
Buffalo, too!!

I have decided to suck it up, and quit being cheap. I'm going to buy the wheels and some Blizzaks. I am interested in your "MINI (BMW) winters", though. Can you give me a better idea of what you got?

I really appreciate the support given to this group by Tire Rack, and would normally give them my support in return. However, I am a really long time customer of Discount Tire, and they have really taken good care of me and my family. I would like to buy from them if I can, but will consider Tire Rack as an almost equal alternative.

Thanks!

 

i used to live on Longmont. i would suggest moving to a warmer climate. then the only question is what track wheel/tires do i need?

 

I'm not sure if 15" wheels will work on the R56, but that's what I run on my '04 MCS. I think I may have pics of the setup in my gallery.

The wheels are aluminum Sport Edition F2, and tires are Pirelli Winter Carving P185/65R15 - both purchased from Tirerack. Awesome setup and I drive it nearly every day here in Kodiak, Alaska.

I used to live in Denver (97-99)...and I'd like to go back for a visit someday. Kinda miss it in some ways!

 

I am using Blizzak Revo 1 winter tires and I am really happy with them. I have heard, however, that the Blizzak WS-60s are the best winter tires around. There are actually videos of them on youtube that are really impressive. Good luck.

 

try this link for Steel wheels from MINI. Around 350.00 for a set of four.
Should be available from your MINI dealer.

 

Trying again

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...21&hg=36&fg=10

 

I think our Calgary winters are similar to what you see in Colorado. I have a second set of wheels and Blizzaks as well (though others here also like Pirellis)...

 

$350 for four steelies? Hmmm, you can get nicer-looking alloys from TireRack for under $400, and Discount for $340 (+ shipping, etc....)

You're not being cheap, you're being smart! You can resell the wheels/tires when you turn in your mini - which you won't do, you'll keep it... AND the wheels/tires will save you an accident and all the hassle and expense that goes with it.

With respect, I've said this as well - and while the traction loss may have been due to my worn tires, the reason the worn tires were being used in the first place, and perhaps pushed beyond their limits... was mine. :( Cost me the front end of an old GTI once, thankfully nothing was hurt except my pride - I bumped a guy low-speed... right at the entrance to our neighborhood... at 5:30PM... at least I got to say hello to all our neighbors...

 

My "winter" tires are goodyear GS-D3s. :-))

Sorry, just trying to bring some humor to the site.

Funnier thing is that I'm here looking for info on winter tires because I'm moving to WA... :-((

 

I just installed a complete set of new rims Rota RB's and Dunlop winter sport 3DROF tires. These are 16" inch wheels. I had 15" inch wheels on my 2006 and the ride was a little softer. Given the crappy roads in the Denver area I wouldn't go larger than 16" inch. I guess I'll get a chance to test the tires this week as snow is predicted for the mountains. Good luck!