My wife and I are purchasing a new mini S convertible with the 17" rims.
We are moving to Park City Utah, and want to have some snow tires ready for next winter. Any suggestions?
Are 17" rims hard to get snow tires for?

Thanks
Steven

 

There are lots of snow tires available in the 205/45 17 size. The usual ones are Michelin Alpin and Bridgestone Blizzak. The models sometimes do change each year. The main question is whether you want run flats or not.

 

i would assume your planning on using the stock wheels for said snows and picking up a new set of both rims and tires for summer???

If your planning on just swapping tires, might as well just buy some 16s... One reason is once you take runflats off you may not want them back on, and some shops may charge more for dealing with runflats. More rubber also will give you a little extra cush and probably not be much more money. Seems like these stock wheels (17"+) can bend pretty easily on those damned winter potholes...mine did..

 

Adam, actually the other way around.
Keep the stock 17" rims and tires for the summer and get something else for the winter. I was just wondering if it's better just to get a second set of rims/tires for the winter instead of switching just the tires around.
Any thoughts?

 

I would recommend getting a second set of rims with snow tires on them so that you have two sets (summer winter) and it makes for much easier change over.

I would also go with 16" rims with snow tires. That extra side wall can be a good thing during the winter months and on rough roads, although Park City UT has some pretty good roads. But some of the other roads around the area are not so good.

If you do go with another set of rims and tires remember to get TPMS sensors for the new rims.

Good luck with your move.

 

Thanks schatzy
Yep I will go for a 16" rims and a set of snow tires.
Where can I get a good deal online for the rim's and tires.
Is there any kind of protectant we can put on the soft top that will protect it more for the winter months??

Steven

 

this...except you dont need new TPMS ($200)..there will just be one of those idiot lights on all winter lol


and itll preserve your wheels...with the amount of brake dust these cars make, adding all that salt and crud really can do a number on them if your not the most adamant about washing in winter

 

tirerack.com has about the best package deals going. Call Alex (he has an account here and it the Tire Rack Rep for NAM)

Where I live in Massachusetts the winters and snow can get pretty bad. Salt and Sand put down on the roads will give a real beating to the rims so I just bought the cheapest rims I could buy (Elbrus I01) and a set of Dunlop Winter Sport 3D Runflats. The rims are already trashed after just two years.

I do a lot of night time highway driving during the winter and did not want to have to change a tire on the side of the highwayin a snow storm so I went with the runflats so that I could get to the next exit or rest area to change the tire.


Can't help you with this question as I do not have a cabrio and thus do noto have to worry about it. Sorry.