I live in Maine with its snowy winters. What would you recommend for winter tires for my R50?

 

^^ I had a different car a few years ago that I put dsw continentals on it was also front wheel drive Amazing tires I was driving on ice and snow like it was not even there.. I plan on running those again on my mini Im hopeful they work as good as they did for me on the other car

 

If you want all season, go with DWS like Raven mentioned. I ran them for several years in the Pocono Mountains and they were awesome. Dedicated snow tire would be the Blizzaks IMO.

 

Up here in NH I run a set of dedicated snows...(a set Pirelli snoiw tires, no studs like a lot of you folks up in Maine, but actually speed-rated, with a highway style tread..nicer handling than a bilzzack on dry pavement, but slightly less grip in the snow)....
I think matching the tire....full on powder snow vs ice tire is important based upon where you live, and the roads you drive....
The tire you may want if you live up in Millinocket on a back road is very different than if you live in the sprawl around Portland....
Some of the local chains, like VIP, actually seem to carry the snows that work best in the area....

 

Are you intending on having three season tires for most of the year then in the fall switch them out for dedicated winter tires?

If so then do you already have wheels in mind? 15" or 16".

Otherwise you can run All Season tires all year long but they will not be as good in deep snow. If your roads are plowed and you don't have far to drive with no steep areas then All Season tires could be OK.

What size wheels do you have? Any lowered suspension?

What have you been using for past winters?

 

This is my first Mini so I'm trying to decide whether to go with three season tires and have a dedicated set of snow tires, or to go with all seasons. I don't plan on driving through deep snow, I have a 4 WD vehicle if needed. My wheels are 15" and there are no mods to the car. I also want something that won't drive me crazy with road noise.

 

I live on the ME/NH border just across from North Conway, NH. The NH roads are usually plowed better than the ME roads.

 

Since you have a deep snow car already it makes more sense to have tires on the MINI that you can use for daily driving that works in everything but deep snow.

Considering your OEM 15x5.5" wheels it makes sense to use a tire that will be good for daily street driving yet good in light snow.

see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...wws=N&showcm=N
In 195/60-15 you can consider:
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus Grand Touring All Season tire
$93 each, 600 treadwear, 21 lbs
Tirerack test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=166
Goodyear Assurance Comfortred Touring
$102 each, 740 treadwear, 19 lbs

Ultra High Performance All Season tires are also possible but trade off some ride comfort and longer treadwear for better handling in dry or wet.

 

I agree. Thanks for your suggestions.