We have a 2002 mini with 16" wheels and a donut spare, so we don't care about runflats. The car is used mostly in the spring, summer and fall for short trips but for very few miles (about 2000). Occasionally we want to use the car in the winter for long trips to Vermont. We prefer to have only one set of tires. Is there a good all season tire that can be recommened? Or should we bite the bullet and get two sets of tires?

 

I bought a second set of wheels 15" (used, cheap) for winter use only. The higher aspect ration of the 15" tires helps a lot with all the winter pot holes, and the handling went from disastrous with the OEM all weather tires to fantastic with Blizzaks.

 

my car came with 15" continental allseasons......was very good in snow

but decided for safety's sake to get a set of 15" wheels with Pirelli snow force from Tire rack.....now it is great in snow

whatever you do for snow, I believe the recommendation is to go for the skinniest tire for best snow traction

 

I have two sets of rims and tires for my MINI. I run 15" steel rims with Bridgestone Blizzak in the winter since I live in PA. For the rest of the time, I use my stock 16" rims with Bridgestone Potenza SO3's. They are being discontinued, but they are great tires. Not sure if you can get them anymore. But they were really inexpensive too since they are being discontinued. I think that if you live in an area that has four definite seasons like my area, then two sets of rims and tires are your best bet.