I recently purchased an '05 Purple Haze MCS (pictures comming soon) and after reading many of the postings, I'm a little confused as to what size snow tire I should use. It came w/17" wheels, not sure what kind of suspension and whether that has any bearing on tire size.

Does it matter if I put 16's as opposed to 15's or should I stick to the OE size?

Mini Thanks!

 

With snow tires, I believe that you would do better with smaller tires, in general. I'd probably go with 16's myself. I know that you are supposed to get narrower, rather than wider, tires.

I'd call TireRack and ask to speak with Alex. He's on this board fairly regularly and I trust his opinions.

 

I have Blizzaks (195/60x15) on a set of steelies I picked up cheap on my '04 MCS. Very happy with them.

 

What about the profile size? Should it be the same as what's on now. I have Dunlop Sport 9000's 205/45/17.

Another stupid question> Would a larger tire register less miles on the odometer than a smaller one?

I appreciate your help.

 

Yes. It will mess with your speedometer a bit too... I think that the change from a 40 to 45 profile tire is around 3%.

I'm going to let those up in the snowy states give you exact suggestions, but usually snow tires are fairly thick (taller rubber when compared to tire width) to give you more flexability on potholes, etc. It's not like you need the crisp turn-in from low profile tires...

 

You are right about that. I just want something that will keep me on the road.
Thanks to all again,
Happy Holidays!

 

as you get smaller your sidewall (Height) increases , less chance of bending a rim in a pothole and mushrooming your shocktowers, but you are also putting less rubber on the road, try to find a thread that explains aspect ratio. You'll see that a lower aspect ration ( the 40 45 or 50 ) number in a tire size is the height of the tire depending on the width. It takes a few times to figure it out.
plus looks are a factor , some just like a 15 , 16 or 17 by the way they look,
keep asking questions, you'll figure it out.
boxcars

 

Thanks, will do.

 

I agree with agranger about Tire Rack and Alex.
1) look at Tire Rack's web site to try to learn some of the basics, such as understand aspect ratio, and so forth. They have really great illustrations and text to explain most tire and wheel stuff.
2) if you have questions, uncertainty or concerns after you read up, call and talk to Tire Rack's Alex. He is THE MAN when it comes to MINI tires and wheels. (I think Tire Rack has a sticky thread or something on NAM in the "Tires Wheels and Brakes" forum) Lots of good reading there, also.
3) if you are still not satisfied, come back here for more advice -- but not from me, 'cause I live in So Cal., and I don't know squat about snow, much less snow TIRES. But i and when you DO come back, look at the Tires/Wheels/ Brakes forum first. You will be more likely to find what you need there.

Best of luck!

 

I checked out the site and the thread. I'll spend more time doing both.
Best.

 

here are the recommended tire sizes for each size rim, and their alternates.
Minus Wheel Diameter: 15"
(Smaller wheel diameter than O.E.M.)
15" Recommended:195/60-15
15" Alternate:185/65-15

Original Equipment Wheel Diameter: 16"
16" Recommended: 195/55-16:
16" Alternate:205/50-16

Original Equipment Wheel Diameter: 17"
17” Recommended: 205/45-17

 

Changing the tire size without the right calculations, is just regearing the car. My '03 Cooper came with the sport package and therefore had "16 wheels with a 55 series tire. The aftermarket tire I put on it only came in a 50 series. The amount of regearing it did to my car was phenominal. It took off like a bat out of Hell, but top end suffered dramatically. Top speed dropped down from 125 to 115 mph. If you are going with snow tires, just go OEM "15 size and some cheap steel wheels. And like everybody else said, talk to Alex from Tire rack for any issues. As a matter of fact, I'd recommened getting the tires and cheap steelies from them. I get all my tires from Tire Rack, and they are by far the best in the business, IMHO.

 

I ended buying almost new Blizzaks LM 25, 205/45/17's on some SSR rims from someone on CL. Changed them out the other day, they look great on the car. I might switch out the winters at the end of the season and mount the summers on the new rims.

Thanks to all for the advice.

 

I also recently mounted a set of Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 runflats on the stock 17's rims. Even with the open diff she'll find traction in all but ice. Handles very predictably overall, I find, although at ~$180/tire it is pricey.

But honestly, with these cars I just throw the concept of value out the window.

 

Scary. This might become my one and only vice.