Its that season again... I just have a quick question maybe someone can answer for me... I need some snow tires and I am wondering if its a good idea to buy 215/45/17 for the S-Lites... I know its wider and taller of a tire but its CHEAPER then other tire sizes, and does anyone know if I will rub with these?

Thanks,
Jm

 

I run the same size in the summer with no problems and my car is slightly lowered. You shouldn't have any problems. If you want really cheap and you don't have JCW brakes run a 15" with 185-65-15 tires. I did that last year I think it cost me $300 total for rims and rubber. This combo worked great for our Canadian winters!

 

1. I run Nokian Hakkapeliitta's (Super hard to find but best snow tire on the market hands down) or Pirelli Scorpion Snow and Ice tires. But those are both coin....

 

You might consider these:
http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMW7615/InvDetail.cfm

 

I run the Bridgestone BLIZZAK WS60 on all my vehicles to get me through a Canadian winter in southern Ontario...
If you're gonna spend the $ to get winter tires, you may as well spend to get the best you can. (I've run BLIZZAKS for about 15 years)

 

Blizzaks are fantastic snow tires... BUT they are terrible on dry pavement - both for handling performance and also for tire wear.

Depending on the climate in your region, Blizzaks may or may not be the best for your area. Down here in the Washington DC area, I think they are a terrible choice because we don't get enough snow to justify them. That's why I use Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSports, because they are still very good in the snow, but they are WAY better than Blizzaks on dry pavement, plus they won't wear out as fast. Bonus: they're available in the standard 17" MINI size (205/45/17), and both in non-RunFlats and in RunFlats! (only $17 difference in price right now too - $162 and $179).

I run my 205/45/17 SnowSports on S-Lites for the winter.

Now, if I lived up there in the heavy snow country, where there isn't all that much dry pavement in the winter, I'd definitely go with either Blizzaks or Nokian Hakkapeliittas.

 

Like I said....Nokian Hakkapeliittas are the shizzle. Just no one really knows about them unless your in the back country...

 

Seriously now, you live in Arizona?
When was the last time you saw snow?

 

Wait a minute.....do I know you? Mr. 3 post guy? Yeees....the Touareg has seen snow thank you very much. It snowed in Flagstaff last weekend. And it makes frequent runs up to Utah...I wasnt talking about the Mini. It cant even leave the driveway without high-centering itself on the curb
unless Phoenix hires me as a snow plow the Mini will NEVER see snow....so there...eat your biscuit and shut your pie hole.

 

Pie hole Thanks, I needed a good laugh.

 

No problem...that's what Im here for!

 

Snow tires are also known as POORMANS drag radials

 

You sooooooo stooopid....

 

The more I read your posts, the more I think less about you... And your post count only means that you're nothing moe than a = POST ***** .
Want some salt for your popcorn?

 

There are a few that dont think too highly of me but that has nothing to do with this board... And there IS some great material in what I say SOMETIMES! You just have to weed out all my silly shananigans. And as for being a post *****....I have few posts compared to some of the people on here. And Ive been on here for 5 1/2 years (along with a different name when I first started)... Hey, I chat on here with the few people who I can unconditionally call my friends (yeah....I have some). My posts are usually pointed to them....Like the one u quoted from Checkmate..... We joke...we laugh...we poke fun of...we laugh some more...tears start coming out along with some other things...we **** people off....offend some....and threads get locked.... but all-in-all its only in the spirit of fun. At least thats what we call it. Yeah, we are sick... And if you care to read or post up on one of our threads or side conversations....be fore warned.... And please....no salt. Im watching my sodium intake....I prefer Ranch seasoning...

 

I used Pirelli Snow carving 195/55/15 for 2 winters they are really good just as long as you keep DSC off in town because it totally kills your momentum but being around snow you may already now that GOSH.


Woohoo Justin is NAM your shrink now because we all need moneyz......... I KiD I KiD

P.S. my MINI has been broke down for a month now. My tensioner kicked the **** out of the wmw 2% crank pulley I had.

 

UKSUV, I appreciate the justification. It's true, I tend to be overly serious at times, and will often rush to judgment. I tend to act like a bit of a crusader too, and am quick to defend. I'm glad to hear you were just poking fun. I enjoy many hobbies, and since the Internet began, forums have become a great way for me to meet with people who before were hard to reach.
I enjoy this place, and usually pop in when I need information for my wife's MCS... I suppose I can now consider you my first real contact. For better, or for worse

 

Well, I appreciate that. If you have any questions just ask....I know about 99% of the Mini. And I can usually get some killer deals on parts...

 

Parts? QWell, I will be looking for a set of 16" rims for the warmer months, now that the stock rims are fitted with snows
Thanks

 

+1 for the Nokians, great tires.

I currently am using 205/50/17 General Artimax (the same mold as Grislavid a subsidary of Nokian) on S-Lites with TSW springs, clearance is tight but the narrower the tire the better in the winter .

Trust me it makes a huge difference between floating ontop of slush and snow and biting down and getting stable traction.

Next year however I will be going to a 15" ultra skinny tire combo as I am having floating issues over slush / accumulated packed snow with these tires currently (would not recomend them, great in deep powder though)

 

I run 15's on steel wheels in the winter,195/60/15 or now I run 185/65/15. you can't go wrong with blizzaks although they are week in the dry but the new models are supposed to be much better. The ICE X MISCH is a great tire too. This winter I went craigslist and got a set of Gislavard Nord frost II studded snow tires. they are suppose to be great, they were cheep so that sold me. they sound like popping pop corn going down the road

 

Hey what kind of whels are those?

 

I cant tell you....Its GS-14 CLASSIFIED. There are only a few of us rollin around with these...Dont add to it.... They are Exel TZ-10's

 

I'm running Nokian Hakka's 215/45/17 on my webspokes with JCW suspension with no rubbing issues and as UKSUV said these tires are fantastic, apparently in Alaska it's the most commonly used brand :

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...snow-test.html

 

^5... I was even told that people run these in DEEP snow and have very little if no probs. Then in the worst case scenario...they go to the studded Hakka's. Havent needed those yet.