I recently picked up a 2008 Cooper, and I'm looking for winter tires. Does anyone know how the Pirelli Winter 190 Snowcontrols compare to Dunlop Wintersports? I used to run the Dunlops on my 3 Series and liked them, but they don't come in a 15" size.

 

Those Pirelli snows apparently haven't been in a comparison test by Tire Rack yet, but 7 MC drivers completed their user reviews with an average rating of 8.9 (range = 6.8 to 10).

User surveys (that Pirelli wasn't included) show the Michelin X-ice X12 and the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 as the top two in the 175/65/15 size.

You can nose around more for snows at the Tire Rack website. Getting a separate set of 16" wheels opens up more snow tire options.

 

I love my Dunlop Wintersport 3D's and they do come in a 15 inch size (195/65 R15) just not in a runflat.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....inter+Sport+3D

I live in North Central MA just north of you and my car is a daily driver and goes to the ski mountains regularly with the Wintersports, great handling and quiet ride.

 

I have Pirelli SottoZero's and I absolutely love them. They don't grip much worse than summer tires in the dry either.

 

I missed those. Too bad that size is a whole inch taller than the factory size (175/65-15). IMO, that's a little too much of a difference for street tires.

 

I just put those Pirelli Sottozeroes in 205/55/16 on my MCS last weekend, and I agree - For Winter tires, they are phenomenal in the dry and in the wet! I hope they are just as good in the snow...

 

That difference would actually bring you speedometer closer to accurate. unless you have turned off (in the software) the included discrepancy built in by MINI.