Hi everyone!
So i am looking for some snow tires and wheels to put on my mini in a few months. My tires and wheels now are 195 55r16. I am looking om craiglist for the tires and rims because the rims can be crappy (they are on so I dont ise my nice rims in the bad weather). I really just want to know what tires I can get away with putting on my clubman s because the 195 55r16s are hard to fins cheap. I also was wondering what offset people notice doesnt rub. I really dont know mich about this stuff besides what ive learned from searching for the tires and wheels. ANY info or advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

You should just pick up a set of Mini wheels that are listed on Craigslist or equivalent. That ensures that the offsets will be correct. I have seen many sets come and go on there. From there go on TireRack.com and look for an affordable set of winter tires that have good reviews. I run a set of JCW 17" wheels with Blizzaks. At the first threat of weather, I toss them on and leave them until March or so.

 

Tire rack has great prices on tires/rims for winter tires. There is a guy there who knows a whole bunch on MINIs. Set of 4 tires/rims delivered in 24 hours too.

My clubby is my daily driver. With snow tires on, it rides great in snow.

Going on my 3rd winter with the Blizzaks. Been satisfied with them.

 

1) TireRack
2) Blizzaks
3) Done.

I bought a set of the cheapest 16" alloy wheels I could find on TR back in 2003 for my first S, fitted with Blizzaks. They go on about the time we go thru the 'step back' time change, stay on usually thru mid-April.

That S ran for 133,000 miles before I sold it off & started fresh with an '07 S. Same wheels & tires were on that one for the 5 winters I drove it 'till its CEL issue caused me to trade it (@ 97,000 mi.) for my current '13 Clubman (@ 48,000 mi.).

Yep, those wheels still fit though the tires have been changed for new Blizzaks in between.

If'n I were close to trading in the '13 (Not!) I'd sell you my wheels & tires (if you're within 100 miles) 'cause they won't fit the latest MINI owing to changes in hubs used now.

 

Did you have to buy a set of the tire pressure sensors for that set of wheels? I looked at Tire Rack the other day and they have blk steel 16"rims that are only $50 each and a deal on performance snows for $108 ea. The problem is that a set of senors adds $57 per wheel and what was a good deal ends up costing $1000 for the complete set.

 

You don't have to buy the tire pressure sensors. The Tmps light will stay on in the car but my understanding is there is no "law" on having the sensors. I did add them to my tires. My son did not.

 

Price check:
195/60-16 Michelin Xice X13 89H $360.40 (4) 0.8" taller than 195/55-16.
16x6.5 black steel wheels $196.00 (4)

TireRack.com. Wheels are on clearance. Free mount and balance. TPMS (optional), shipping, and sales tax (if applicable) are extra.

 

Thats a decent deal for the wheels. I paid about $50/wheel for a set of OEM 16" MINI wheels from someone on the forum.

I can't comment on the tire choice, I've been running Blizzaks on my Mini since 2007 and i've never gotten stuck.

The TPMS are a nice to have, but I ran without them for a long time in the winter.

 

If you read the test results at Tirerack you will see that some years a Blizzak beats a Michelin and in other years the opposite is true. It just depends on who most recently released a new tire. There is also the consideration of three different types of winter tires. The ice/snow is better in icy conditions and the performance/snow is better in the dry. Then there is the studdable tire. I supect these exist for ice racers but that's just a guess on my part.

 

I've always run Blizzaks as well, even in storms with 25+ inches of snow in the mountains. I just can't seem to buy any other snow tires since they've been working so well for me for so many years. I have heard great things about the Michelin ones though.

 

Blizzak and Pirelli winter carvers ( studded) are great. Nokian studded are the best.

If you need TPMS sensor or factory steelies 16" for the Cooper and Cooper S ( NON JCW brake ) :

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...381-hello.html