I'm looking for a set of winter tires and wheels for my 05 Cooper S. Has anyone tried any out? Any recomendations? Currently I have a the 17" wheels with pirreli summer run flats on the car. But I'm looking to get a set of 16" wheels to mount them on. I'm hoping this will make them less suceptible to pothole damage.

So far I'm looking at a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3, 195, 55-16. These are availible in both run flat and regular but only $20 different in price. Does anyone know how the run flat version works in snow? Since I currently have runflats, I know how they ride and I'm comfortable with them, so thats not an issue. But myt concern is how they work in snow, are the runflats too ridgit to work good? If they work just as good, I'd rather get the run flat just to avoid having to wait for a tow truck in the freezing cold.

Also can anyone recomend a set of wheels. I was looking on tire rack for a set, they have a set of ASA wheels but the offset is only +40, I heard that he MINi stock is +48, will this make a difference? Is the an inexpesive wheel with a closer offset?

 

I have the 16" Dunlop WinterSport runflats on my 04 MCS
and they're great for winter commuting (100 miles+/day),
even in the boonies of NH.

 

I'm using the winter sport M3s in 195/55/16 in runflat and they seem work pretty well. As i've mentioned in other threads you could choose to run Blizzaks or something else if snow handling is of utmost importance. The M3 is a compromise tire in some respects as they provide pretty decent handling on dry pavement and not the best in snow, but certainly pretty good and much better than an non-snow tire. I chose to go with runflats for the exact same reason as you did-not wanting to deal with a flat (however remote a chance this is) in crummy cold weather.

I would go with the cheapest, best looking wheel (to your eye) that was also fairly easy to clean. Personally I used the original V-spokes and got different wheels for the rest of the season. V-spokes aren't a bad choice in general as they're pretty light and you can probably find somebody trying to sell them at a reasonable price so they can upgrade.

 

It depends on how much snowfall you really see on the roads in the winter. I'm originally from Buffalo, NY, and now live in Syracuse, (not any better). So I'm used to tons of snow, (like a yearly average of 175 inches).

So, if you're in a similar situation regarding snowfall amounts, I cannot emphasize strongly enough, going with Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires.

There is a reason that they're widely considered the best tire for snow! The rumors are true. These things are the best-give you so much confidence in the white stuff.

But if you don't encounter as much snow as me, perhaps the tires in the posts above this one would better suit you. Or if handling on dry pavement is a huge concern for you. The Blizzaks have a lot of tread, and are a bit sqirmy at highway speeds, on dry pavement.

I got mine extremely quickly and easily, already mounted and balanced on 15" black steel wheels from the Tire Rack.com. It was so painless, and therefore, I recommend both the tires and the Tire Rack. Good luck!

 

There are other great brands of snow tires...Nokian, Haakeplita, and variations from the other major brands.

My experience with about 4 different sets of tires (different cars) is they all work great for winter driving. Most important thing I think is getting that smaller narrow tire/wheel size so you cut through the snow, (we get 150-200" + of snow a year).

IMO just steel rims are the best, easy to replace one if it is bashed. If you need snow tires, the car is always going to be a mess, so looks will not be important.

 

fishey72, has it just right. Narrow and tall 15" steel wheels and tires. Great combo. With a second set of wheels you can even go for studded tires if you tend to have ice where you live.

 

I have a set of Dunlops M3 on xlites and have been very happy with them. There are heavily siped like all the very good snow tires, and run a coldweather compound. I got them in stock size non runflat and they are a better ride than the standard runflat Dunlops. Dry traction is also very good. For our Rocky Mountain weather which is either dry or lats of snow I have been very pleased. I would buy them again.


Rob

 

Any more opinions on this? My commute is about 40 miles a day, not sure which is best for me, the dunlop m3 or the blizzak.

mb

 

I live in Maryland - not much snow, but an occasional storm in the winter. I ran Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2's last winter and I was very happy with them. Handle snow pretty well, but more importantly for me were not a big comprimise on the dry, cold roads we have here in MD.

On my Miata, I ran Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi's. AMAZING in the snow, but very comprimised on dry roads. If I lived in a place that measures annual snowfall by the feet, I'd go with the RSi's for sure.

 

I had always used Nokians in the past, and they're outstanding. BUT for the MINI i wanted to go down to 15" steel rims and that limited my options.

I ended up with the Pirelli Winter Carving from Tirerack last year. They're narrower than I was planning on getting, but I have to say they are an excellent tire. They feel wider on the dry than they actually are, and grip very well on snow and ice. 3000 miles on them last winter and I can't complain 1 bit.

 

I run the 195/55R16 Nokian Hakka RSi's on my Cooper S and it is amazing. Hands down the best Winter Tire I've ever owned. I bought mine from Tire Factory, Inc (800-576-1009). They offer FREE SHIPPING and NO sales tax outside MI. If you mention this forum they will give you $10 off each tire. You can see the safety features and benefits of the tire at the site below:

http://tirefactory.net/RSI.htm

 

I'm running the Hankook Ice Bears in a 195/55-16 on my v-spokes. Very good in snow and ice but suspect on dry roads. They are a copycat of the Blizzaks with the silica in the tread but a little less expensive.