Hi everyone, hopefully I have a new MCS coming in the next few days and I want to put snow tires on it. Few questions....
1)Do I have to change my wheels too or can i just put the new tires on the factory wheels (16" bridgespokes)?
2) Does the snow tire have to be the same size as the factory tire or can they be different

Thanks everyone.

 

I have snow tires on my MINI now. They are 15". My summer tires are 17". I would recommend buying a set of MINI wheels for your snow tires. I started out with steel wheels and hubcaps. They were a pain... I lost 3 hubcaps. There are lots of MINI wheels for sale, either here on NAM or on e-Bay. MINI wheels look great and having them makes the wheel swap easy.

 

Is the only benefit to buying additional wheels the ease of the swap? Or are their other complications with putting snow tires on the factory wheels.

 

I just purchased a new set of Dunlop Winter Sport tires and a new set of rims. Last week I got a chance to test them and they worked very well. I stayed with the 16" inch runflat tires. The 15" tires are probably better for winter driving contitions as they absorbe more of the road. I have always felt it is easier to change the additional tires than have them mounted and balanced twice a year.

 

Taking the summer tires off & putting the winter snow tires on is not a great idea. Tires are meant to be put on a wheel & changed when worn out. Taking them on & off the wheels multiple times is not very good for the tires. Wheels can be found cheap, get a set & make the change over painless.

 

You don't want to mount and unmount tires off wheels twice a year. It's a PITA and costly. Better to just buy a cheap set of wheels for the winter shoes then you can just DIY the wheel changes. In general a narrower tire drives better in snow and ice. Also higher sidewall will be more resistant to pothole damage. But it all depends what kind of driving you do. FWIW we have 2 sets of 205/45R17 and it works fine. We have the Blizzak LM-25 which are pretty good on dry roads for a winter tire. Easiest thing to do is call the Tire Rack.

 

as stated better to get wheels, tire rack mounts and balances FREE with purchase of both, diameter should be almost the same for correct computer input also narrow tires are better in snow, especially due to mini's light weight which puts more weight per sq inch on the contact patch, tire rack wont steer you wrong at a good price

 

I lucked out big time when it came to snow tires. Before the Mini had a Focus SVT and bought blizzaks (215/45-17). When i got the mini i got the 17" rims and they just fit! I then got new Enkie rims for summer time and put the run flats on their and left the snow tires on the OEM's.

 

But I dont want to have to buy a new set of wheels if I dont have to.

 

Hi, I just read your post and I just received the exact same tires with sensors installed from Tire Rack today. Before I put them on, I'm wondering if there are certain spots on the Mini where it is best to use a floor jack on. My Z3 has special little plates under it for jacking. So before I jack it up (both literally and figuratively), thought I'd ask your opinion. I'm really looking forward to getting some traction on those hills. My all-season run-flats leave much to be desired. Thanks!

 

On each side of your MINI under the rocker panel you will see 2 black boxes. One is behind each front wheel & one is in front of each rear wheel. Those are the jacking points. If you use the front one it will lift both tires off the ground. As always use jack stands.

 

To start with, you need a 16" wheel or larger for your S.
Next depends on where you live. Upstate NY, Colorado, Idaho, etc... and you should get them. All seasons will probably work for more moderate climes.

Nokian (Finnish tire company) makes a couple of all-seasons with winter ratings. The WR and WRG2 lines come in a 195/65-16 run flat. Pretty good compromise, especially for areas with unpredictable and less severe weather. They won't wear out as fast as dedicated winter tires.

 

Thanks...yeah, right after I wrote you I went out and looked under with a flashlight and there they were...plain as day! Duh. My hubby just finished jacking front up (for the entire side of the car) and did it all within the hour. Thanks for the response! Happy motoring!