I recently switched from my summer tires (205/50/16 General UHP Exclaims on OZ Ultraleggeras) back to winter treads (OEM Conti All-Season Runflats on 16" Bridgespokes) to cope with Pennsylvania winter weather. This unfortunately necessary swap has created a rather dramatic dropoff in the ride and handling of my 07 MCS. For starters, the Conti/Bridgespoke combination is about 14 lbs per corner heavier than the Exclaim/UL pairing, making for a less responsive suspension, harsher ride and skittering over rippled pavement. The sensitivity of a relatively lightweight vehicle like the MINI to unsprung weight changes - lighter is much better - is strikingly demonstrated here. Not only do the stiff-sidewalled runflats ride harsher than non-RF's, they are much noisier, not a good thing in a car already as noisy as the MINI (I am preparing to put Dynomat in the wheelwells).

While the boat anchor-heavy OEM wheels are reportedly almost indestructable and the stiff/heavy runflats do offer something of a safety edge, this OEM setup detracts significantly from the handling, performance and comfort of the MINI. I think it would make sense for MINI to offer an OEM set of lightweight rims and sticky non-runflats as an option in a sports or JCW package. This truely is one of the best and most cost-effective mods to upgrade MINI suspension and performance.

The Conti RF all-sesons are reasonably competent in light snow, whereas the General Exclaims definitely do not like either cold weather or snow. Thus the tire swap is a winter inevitability. But the resulting adverse change to the car's character is a real bummer. Since the MCS has no spare, I carry a Conti ComfortKit, a jack and a Dynaplug kit for repair of RF's or non RF's if needed. HOwever, I don't think the winters here are really severe enough to warrant a set of Nokians or Blizzaks, so the Conti all-seasons do serve a useful purpose. But meanwhile, I dearly miss my sweet summer rims and treads.

 

welcome to the club... im not trying to be condescending but this is something that every avid driver figures out eventually. i to have the same problem, much like many others. we want the control the dry summer pavement offers, in the winter...

the option that you suggested could prove a possible outcome, but most likely the powers that be will not let this happen. there is a huge aftermarket for this type of thing and im sure it will stay that way.