I've searched here for threads on snow tires but found nothing. How about some suggestions and opinions from MCS owners who use snow tires. I ordered the 17" all seasons on my '03 Mini. Thanks.

 

>>I've searched here for threads on snow tires but found nothing. How about some suggestions and opinions from MCS owners who use snow tires. I ordered the 17" all seasons on my '03 Mini. Thanks.

Get a set of 15" Blizzaks on Borbet rims (or steel wheels if you want) and you can handle anything. TireRack usually has great packages on winter sets.

I've used Blizzaks on front and rear wheel drive cars and I gave my mom a set for her 4wd Subaru. They make bad snow cars safer and good snow cars unstoppable.

 

Teldon is right on 15 inch Blizzaks are a great ticket for snow and ice traction!

Alex

 

What size Blizzaks would you recommend if I wanted to put them on my R83 Daytona 5 spokes?

 

Dandp,

15", 16" or 17" rims?

 

Welcome to MCO snidley!

I agree totally with the others here re. Blizzaks...but you shouldn't have had any problem finding some of the many threads about MINI snow tires and winter driving. There're lots. Be sure that you're using the forum search function which is the link entitled "Search" just to the right of the thread title. There's also a search function how-to stickied at the top of most (all?) forums. I only bring this up as you're right, there's a lot of info to be had on snow tires...and much of it is here in this Tire, Wheels, etc. forum.

 

Sorry -they're the OEM 16" wheels.

 

What is the name of the Finnish snow brand - Hippokolita or something crazy like that?

I was at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix a few years ago and some BMW owner at the show was raving about them. I'm a Blizzak believer but that's the other option I've heard of.

 

Blizzaks rock! I drove my MCS thru all kinds of unbelievable snow/ice/mud with them. The Finnish brand is called "NOKIAN HAKKEPELLITA". They are awesome for deep snow and mud, but not quite as good as the Blizzaks on ice, IMHO. The Hakkas are great tires, but the Blizzaks ae going to be much more widely available. I don't think Tire Rack sells the Hakkas, for example, and you'd have to hunt for a distributor.

 

>>Sorry -they're the OEM 16" wheels.

195/55/16 WS-50's are $99 each and immidiatley available

Alex

 

No expert here, but I did a LOT of researching last winter. Depends where your drive, it seems. Blizzaks and those Finnish tires are indispensable if you're driving through snow (and lots of it) most of the winter or live in an area that doesn't often get plowed. They are less essential if, like me, you live in an urban area where roads are pretty well maintained. I got the Dunlop WinSports last year from my dealer and they not only do a fantastic job in the snow and slop, but I don't give up much handling/braking on the dry pavement I drive on 70% of the winter.
By the way, much props for researching this now. I decided snow tires might be a good idea in FEBRUARY. Not bright.

 

>>No expert here, but I did a LOT of researching last winter. Depends where your drive, it seems. Blizzaks and those Finnish tires are indispensable if you're driving through snow (and lots of it) most of the winter or live in an area that doesn't often get plowed. They are less essential if, like me, you live in an urban area where roads are pretty well maintained. I got the Dunlop WinSports last year from my dealer and they not only do a fantastic job in the snow and slop, but I don't give up much handling/braking on the dry pavement I drive on 70% of the winter.

Just out of total laziness and not wanting to drive to Northeast PA from DC, I drove my Miata on Blizzaks for about 6 months and really enjoyed them. It was good to get the Pilots back on but for awhile I was so used to the handling from the Blizzaks that I actually missed them.

 

i did research last year as well and decided on the goodyear grip ice brand. they are wonderful. used to live in Connecticut where there are many hills and many two laners with poor matenence. however i did go ahead abuy a set of steel wheels,15", so i could do the changing of the tires on and off as i needed them.
they worked wonderfully. hope that helps.

i agree with the above about where you drive. i found the winter tires to be a little useless when it cam to city driving. i am not a rep or anything, but the information on tirerack was good and useful.

your mini s owning architect.