Hi Folks,

I just bought a 2016 Countryman S AWD to replace a 2005 Cooper S. So far, I'm lovin' the new car! Much more practical for my family than the Cooper.

I'm seeking advice on buying studded snow tires for my new Mini. I ran Hakka 2s on the old Mini and was planning to buy Hakka 8s for the Countryman. When I went tire hunting, I was unable to find appropriatel sized Hakka 8s.

The all season tires on the Countryman are 225 45 18s. Reviewing the options, it seems to me that buying studded Pirelli Winter Carving Edge 225 50 18 is a reasonable choice. Does anyone have any tips or advice to impart before I place my order?

Thanks!

 

Depending on where you live, have you considered studless winter tires? I don't get much snow ice time but so far the Pirelli sottozero have worked well.

 

Thanks, I have considered studless. If I were to go the studless route, I'd buy Blizzak WS80s. However, I have a higher comfort level with studded tires.

 

stock tire sizes for the cm are
195/??R16 (non north American markets)
205/55R17
225/45R18
225/40R19

other sizes fit
i run 225/50R18 summer tires and
i run 205/70R16 winter tires (using euro oem wheels)

i have used studded winters in the past and unless you are planning to road rally on ice covered roads, current generation studless ice and snow tires are all you need

i am rumning dunlop grandtrek sj6 studless ice and snow AT winters and have yet to find their limits, even in 12+ inches of fresh snow

 

thanks bmwr606. I have edited my original posting to correct my all season tire size to 225/45R18.

Given that Miniusa doesn't seem to recommend studded tires, and I can't find much info about them on the forums, I'm now reluctantly leaning towards buying studless tires, probably Blizzak WS80 225/45R18s.

 

A very good non-studded snow tire is one in the same to a studded snow tire due to the advances in rubber compounding of tires now. Coming from only driving studded tires in the winter to now non-studded, I still feel very confident. I even do ice racing on my non-studded Blizzak snow tires. You should read this article HERE.

 

+1 on Winter Carving Edge 225 50 17 is a reasonable choice.

I have the studded 195 55 15 on the R52 .

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...w-tires-2.html







You could alo do this set up with wheels , to save you stock larger wheels and set down in size to improve the sidewall . then get studded.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-steelies.html

36109803650 KT








Nice set up if you want non studded.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...es-wheels.html

 

instead of getting 225/45R18 winters, i would suggest a second set of 16 inch wheels and going eith a 205 width tire

the narrower tire gives better penetration in snow and a 16 inch size allows a taller sidewall for better pothole survivability

i am using mini oem alloy wheels i bought from ecstuning.com and 205/70R16 dunlop grandtrek sj6 studless ice and snow AT (all-terrain) tires

i have gone head to head with ws80s and the dunlops have more traction AND they are only $83 each!

i am on my 4th winter plus a bunch of summer offroading on my dunlops and will probably get 1 more winter out of them

 

+1 The 16" by far would have the best ride and high side walls for the dang pot holes.

I have not seen too many people with those wheels also

 

i bought the mini oem 16 inch cms wheels from you guys in 2012 .... has been a great investment

 

Thanks , we love our Countryman customers !