Hi all -

I recently went up into some light snow with my JCW. I live in SoCal so summer tires are the only rubber my car sees. Chains were required at the time for the short distance (less than a few miles under 25 mph). I completely understand if I saw snow more than once a year, I would invest in snow tires...but I digress...

I used Peerless' model search book to find the correct model chain and purchased them from an authorized dealer...ended up getting the Auto Trac model. During the short time the chains were on, they managed to nick, gouge and scrape the crap out of my drive wheels. I was completely shocked when removing the chains. I am a handy fellow, so the issue is not installation...I even had the authorized chain installer dudes check them out on the side of the road.

However, Peerless is refusing to claim responsibility for any damage because the OEM tire size that the JCW in America come with (205 45 17) is not listed in the Mini Owner book. (185 50 17) is the listed size in the handbook which isnt even what the cars are outfitted with, so I don't understand Mini's doing here. In my eyes, Mini should have some fault in the matter for listing the incorrect tire size in the handbook associated with the cars they actually sell here in N.A.

Why would PEERLESS A) even SELL a chain that fits the exact model/make of my car if they knowingly would not honor a warranty claim B) not honor the claim considering it is the same diameter? This chain model (AutoTrac) is self-tightening also, so any play in the discrepancy should have been cinched up tight anyway.

Any ideas?

 

This just might **** some users off, but why is everything someone else's fault? You made the decision to put chains on a car that MINI says don't and now you want some company to help you, when in a nutshell, it's all on you!

Let the bashing begin! I've been around here long enough to take it!

 

If Mini wasnt supposed to have snow chains at all, it would say so in the handbook. Chain manufacturers would see the red flag and not supply chains for that company or model if you looked them on in their system. Irregardless, if a specific chain size is made for a specific tire size...I don't see why there would be an issue to begin with. Besides, I input my Mini model and year and 205 45 17 is what was spit back out on Peerless' website...so it is obviously a recognized OEM size.

I have original factory sized tires that came STRAIGHT from Mini (along with many other people), this exact size is listed in a respectable company's chain inventory. Mini's manual was not updated for N.A. owners with regards to tire sizes sold with the car and this is a fault.

I'm all for taking blame when blame is due, but your comment seems to be ignorant. How is this 100% my fault?

 

Does the MINI manual say it's okay to use chains? It does say for questions to call MINIUSA.

 

it does say chains can be used, albeit very limited in application...my whole point is why does Mini list a tire size that isnt sold on JCW's here in N.A. ?

my second point is Peerless obviously recognized that the OEM tire size for JCW was 205 45 17 here in N.A., not the european size listed in the handbook

I forgot there was a reason why I stopped coming to car forums...now I remember.

 

I get your point and yes it should be listed as a tire size that can be used. I don't mean to add to your frustration but there is always another point of view and that's the reason there are discussions on forums, good or bad, pros or cons.

 

From page 102 of your owner's manual:

Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your MINI,
classified as road-safe and recommended. Con-
tact your MINI Dealer for more details.
Only attach snow chains in pairs to the front
wheels with the following tires.
>
175/65 R 15 M+S
>
175/60 R 16 M+S
MINI John Cooper Works Clubman:
>
185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph or 50 km/h.

http://libraryofmotoring.info/pdf/ma...009hardtop.pdf

MINI sells what they call "MINI Traction Aids" for your size tire.

http://www.shopminiusa.com/PRODUCT/5...-TRACTION-AID#

 

I apologize for calling you a bit ignorant...just frustrated with this.

The chains didnt cause any damage to my car (suspension bits, etc)...if that were the case, surely place the blame on me. But these chains were made for this specifc sized wheel/tire and still ate the %$*# out of them. I'm originally from Ohio so definitely familiar with how chains work...Ive seen damage from improperly installed chains/wrong size, but nothing like this before for what was to be the exactly correct fitment.

Ah well...ill keep pushing them a bit. I know I will get nowhere with Mini and their owner manual issue though...just annoyed.

 

I understand the manual..im looking right at it. The chains did not damage anything on my car except the wheels, so the manual is moot imo.

The fact stands that the chains were built for a specific size tire/wheel and absolutely destroyed them...it shouldnt matter what car it is on, considering other cars can use this exact size also.

 

I can certainly understand your frustration. If I were in your shoes I'd spend $100-$200 and have them professionally repaired. I've seen many mobile tire repair services that come to you and professionally fix your wheels. I've seen them repair badly damaged wheels and even spray/color them for $80 per wheel. Their work is amazing, wheels look like they're off the showroom floor.

 

The restriction on a MINI is the space between the tire sidewall and the strut. It has nothing to do with the face of the wheel being damaged unless the chains were disarranged by hitting the strut.

 

Those chains require more than 12mm of clearance. Did you or the "pros" check the clearance on the inside of the tire? I believe Peerless does make chains suitable for the MINI with US OEM fitment tires. They are Security Super Z6 with 6.3mm of profile. The Peerless fitment guide clearly warns to check your car's clearance requirements and to check the fit of the chain before using it. MINI clearly states that you should check with your dealer.

Someday California will enter the modern age and require chains OR studless snow tires. The law currently jumps from "snow tread tires" which allseason M+S qualify as to metal traction devices.

Just because a chain fits a 205/45-17 tire doesn't mean the vehicle has enough clearance for the tire and chain combined. It isn't reasonable to expect Peerless or MINI to test every application of snow traction devices available in every country in the world.

A good place to acquire this knowledge is right here on NAM.