Winter tires/rims on my MINI
Winter tires/rims on my MINI
I bought a set of Pirelli Winter Carving studded tires (185/65R15) and a set of Sport Edition F2 wheels from Alex at Tire Rack (thanks Alex!!) and here's what they look like mounted on my MCS. Let me know what you all think! 
Love how these tires handle for winter tires. Doesn't seem to have the instability I've experienced w/ some Blizzaks on dry pavement. The handling is quite predictable (though naturally not as good as the stock 17" Pirellis) but the ride is quite a bit smoother. Perfect for crappy Alaskan roads in the winter. The narrower tire also tracks significantly better on the road, most of the roads here have terrible ruts from all the pickups and big trucks travelling on them. No longer fighting the steering wheel to keep the car going straight.
About the only downside I can think of is that these tires are noisy...most likely due to the studs. Unfortunately, we get a lot of icy roads around here, and IMHO even the best of the studless tires never seemed to work as well as a decent set of studded tires. So I'll live w/ the noise - I'd rather have the added traction. Who knows, maybe the noise will diminish a little as the tires wear in.
Love how these tires handle for winter tires. Doesn't seem to have the instability I've experienced w/ some Blizzaks on dry pavement. The handling is quite predictable (though naturally not as good as the stock 17" Pirellis) but the ride is quite a bit smoother. Perfect for crappy Alaskan roads in the winter. The narrower tire also tracks significantly better on the road, most of the roads here have terrible ruts from all the pickups and big trucks travelling on them. No longer fighting the steering wheel to keep the car going straight.
About the only downside I can think of is that these tires are noisy...most likely due to the studs. Unfortunately, we get a lot of icy roads around here, and IMHO even the best of the studless tires never seemed to work as well as a decent set of studded tires. So I'll live w/ the noise - I'd rather have the added traction. Who knows, maybe the noise will diminish a little as the tires wear in.
Last edited by AKIndiMini; Dec 2, 2006 at 06:19 PM. Reason: spelling errors
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Like your pictures....reminds of Banff, Alberta.
I think the wheels match well with the chrome trim.
That's one thing about Mini's, it is very difficult to find two cars that are identical. And changing wheels is the easiest mod to a car to change its looks.
The following URL posts a recent European Winter Tire Test for 2006.
http://www.motor.no/pdf/M806_DEKKTEST.pdf
They used an Alfa Romeo 159 with 205/55R16 tires in real winter conditions.
I'd say more like Alberta or Alaska. (But I have seen some environmental documentaries showing that things are melting in the north and you are going through a major environmental change. Canada lost over 360 glaciers wiped out, gone, no more. Causing river flows to virtually dry up in summer in those ares of the country. Wow!!!) Sorry for going off topic but we are going through some serious climate changes.
Hope you'll get many fun years usage out of those winter tires.
The Pirelli Winter Carving finished 6th overall, but only 0.7 pts from first.(8.9 pts vs. 8.2 pts)
The Nokian Hakka 5 tied for first place in the studded category.
The Nokian Hakka RSi tied for first place in the non-studed category.
I think the wheels match well with the chrome trim.
That's one thing about Mini's, it is very difficult to find two cars that are identical. And changing wheels is the easiest mod to a car to change its looks.
The following URL posts a recent European Winter Tire Test for 2006.
http://www.motor.no/pdf/M806_DEKKTEST.pdf
They used an Alfa Romeo 159 with 205/55R16 tires in real winter conditions.
I'd say more like Alberta or Alaska. (But I have seen some environmental documentaries showing that things are melting in the north and you are going through a major environmental change. Canada lost over 360 glaciers wiped out, gone, no more. Causing river flows to virtually dry up in summer in those ares of the country. Wow!!!) Sorry for going off topic but we are going through some serious climate changes.
Hope you'll get many fun years usage out of those winter tires.
The Pirelli Winter Carving finished 6th overall, but only 0.7 pts from first.(8.9 pts vs. 8.2 pts)
The Nokian Hakka 5 tied for first place in the studded category.
The Nokian Hakka RSi tied for first place in the non-studed category.
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