I just bought my first Mini on Friday night, a 2010 chili red with white bonnet stripes, white roof, winter package & 6 speed (my first manual transmission car!) I'm thinking of naming her Lola She has 15" wheels with all season tires so I'm wondering if I should put Blizzaks on her? The salesman & my boyfriend think I'll be fine without winter tires, but I desperately hate winter driving! What do you guys think? Thanks!

Kristin

 

Congrats on your purchase!

All depends on where you live!

I live in the GREAT WHITE NORTH (Montréal, Canada) and we get a fair amount of snow and ice, i went with the Hankook iPike winter tires with studs.

 

First, congratulations on your new MINI. Lola sounds wonderful.

Second, I'd get used to your manual transmission. Drive very cautiously on any slick roads, especially if you don't feel confortable with the clutch.

Third, you don't say where you are from, but many MINI drivers use all season tires with moderate amounts of snow. Only YOU are going to know how confident and comfortable you feel on the slick roads. Try it one time, that will give you the answer.

Then again, if $$$ is no object, mount some dedicated snows for the worst parts of winter.... and then get them off ASAP in the spring so you can enjoy true MINI "Bulldog" cornering!

 

Blizzaks are phenomenal on snow and ice. You'll probably be ok with stock all-seasons, but if you're new to manual trannies and don't like winter driving anyway, Blizzaks all around combined with MINI's traction control will make you feel like you're on dry pavement. Plus being that you've got 15" wheels, you can get steel wheels fairly cheap just for winter.

I had a PT Cruiser that was downright horrible in snow; I put on a set of Blizzaks and it felt like I had all-wheel drive. They're that good.

I actually have 4 slightly used ones that I can't use (but they're still on Chrysler rims) ...

Oh yeah ... and congrats on your new MINI!!!

 

Oh my gosh Lola's gorgeous! Can you beat chili red with white roof & bonnet stripes?!! (..Besides pepper white/black... )

Awsome, congrats, welcome!

 

Thanks everyone! I forgot to add that I'm from Ohio so we get a fair ammount of snow/ice during winters. From what I've read on here Blizzaks are great snow tires and I may invest in some once I've driven in snow once or twice to see how she does. I'll definately be taking it verrrrry slow since I'm still getting used to the clutch, shifting, etc!
Thanks for the compliment kdubber, I thought she looked like a cherry on top a sundae after they'd detailed her! I want to take some better photos soon, but she's dirty now cause I was out motoring today just for the heck of it! Pepper white w/ black was going to be my 2nd choice if I couldn't get chili red
Eventually I'd like to add driving lamps & those side scuttle things with the checkered flag....

 

Oh no.... the mod bug had hit you early! Watch out

 

snow tire it!

 

Like your color choice. If you have the bucks handy get the Blizzaks, better safe than sorry. Congratulations on your MINI purchase.

 

I do like your sense of taste bulldoggirl, nice color combo!

You know considering how tasking Mother Nature has been lately with monumental snowfalls and with you living in the snowbelt, snow tires sound like a no-brainer.

I'd go with Michelin X-Ice Xi2 or Bridgestone's Blizzak... Your sense of dread at driving in wintry conditions will be allayed with the addition of dedicated winter tires.

Good luck and enjoy your MINI... Motor On!

 

Welcome to the obsession from MAD-Town, WI. Winter driving tip: Don't drive your MINI into snow banks that are deeper than your tires.

 

I live in Cleveland and put winter tires on both my Mini and my wife's accord. I wouldn't be without them. The way I look at it, I'll buy at least one set of tires at some point for my car. I might as well drive winter tires in the winter and summer or all season tires the rest of the year. You can get a set of winter tires mounted on rims from someplace like tire rack and swap them your self early winter and early spring. Winter tires are definitely worth it in my opinion.

 

I drove my car in the snow today on stock 15" all-seasons and it did great! (Especially compared to the BMW, which took 90 minutes of shoveling to free it from its parking spot on the street.) That said, if you live in a place with frequent snowfall, winter tires are the way to go. One set of proper tires costs less than the deductible on your insurance. You'll feel more comfortable with good tires, and that increased comfort level alone will make you a better driver.

Just don't get as comfortable in the snow as those idiots in SUVs who are always sliding into ditches.

 

Hahaha, if you only knew! I was looking at mods before I even bought her!
Thanks everyone for your suggestions & tips, I really appreciate them. I'm going to check into the Blizzaks and if I have the extra money after I pay my insurance I may just get a set. For those of you that put snow tires on, do you just do 2 on the front or all 4?

 

Congrats on the new ride!

To answer the question above, you change the set of 4, not two. You need all 4 tires to make good contact with the snowy/icy roads, not just the front two.

I've been contemplating getting winter tires for my ride but as of now I'm going to stick with my harsh 17" run-flat all-season tires. I do have another set of wheels that I also will use when it gets warmer (with summer tires), which keeps getting me to think about considering the winter tires. Anywho i'm just rambling..

Good luck with it!

 

Thanks for the info! I wasn't sure about the 2 or 4 tire thing so thanks for clearing that up, it makes perfect sense! Have a very Merry Christmas!