Looking for some advice here on my winter setup -


Do I order Blizzaks for my R83 Daytona OEM's and chuck my Dunlop Runflats or just order a whole new set of winter wheels and sell the R83's with the Dunlop's on them?
Not sure what the tire shop would charge for disposal of the Dunlops - but I am wondering if I have them put on new tires, get rid of the old ones and do all the balancing of the R83's - does that start to get as pricey as buying a whole new set of wheels?

Thanks in advance

 

Dandp,

I'm looking for similar. My plan is to buy some white 16" Kosei wheels and go the Blizzak or the Pirelli equivalent route. Keep my 17" runflats for warm weather use. Solution = two sets o wheels/tires.

 

Most shops mount and balance for $20 a corner. Disposal is usually $5 ea. Now if your interesed in recovering some funds, I'd sell the OE wheel and tires together, and get your snows allready balaced.

imho

Alex

 

Do you WANT to sell your OEM wheels and replace them with something else come spring? If so, then selling them with the existing runflats isn't a bad idea. Otherwise, why don't you just order your Blizzaks on steel wheels (already mounted and balanced) for winter and then in the spring just remount the OEM wheels with your runflats.

I think that the steel wheel thing is a good way to go. If you live in a place where you feel that snowtires are necessary, then IMO it's also a good idea to get some wheels that you won't mind too much if they get munched in a pothole. I live in northern MA, and this works for me. But I have to say that if I lived in a less snowy area I'd probably stick with regular all-season tires since the handling on the Blizzaks on dry roads is pretty poor relative to the OEM tires. Pretty good for snowtires, but that's not saying much. Again, just my opinion.

 

I've already got 17's outfitted with summer tires, the OEM wheels and tires are collecting dust in the garage. I live in NJ, and it's possible we may not get ANY snow - perhaps Blizzaks are overkill then. The Dunlop's were worthless in the snow, and dangerous.

 

I'm currently shopping around for a winter package. I have a 03 MCS with the 17" S-Lites, and perf Dunlops. I live in MA and drive to NH everyday. Decent winter tires are a must for this car in my case. I figured I check out what the closest dealer to me (Peabody) was offering if anything. Maybe someone left their R81s on their doorstep or something and they just want to get rid of them. I just got the official MINI of North America winter tire price list back from them, and I was stricken with sticker shock.



Apparently they are only offering the Dunlop SP Winter runflats mounted on the 16" R83s for the S. IMO the ugliest wheel MINI puts out.



$1424.50 + tax is a little steep for me. Along with the price list the parts manager sent me, he also mentioned that "MINI of North America does not recommend 15" for the Cooper S". Has anyone else heard this? This kind of ruins my plan for a cheap steel wheel package.

 

Ok,- this time I really promise to post a pic of my new (old) set-up.

I nabbed a set of R81 take-offs from eBay. Delivered over 1k miles for $212 total. Next I went to my local guru tire man (ONLY after consulting with the knowledgable Alex@tIRErACK herein) & slapped some 205/60/15s on the R81s. :smile:

MAIN back-asswards THEORY:

1) NARROW tires = best for cutting through layers of snow (like skis)

2) Great TREAD = best you can do, always

3) Don't forget your FWD advantage!

4) HEAVY R90s + HEAVY run-flats = HEAVY pushing down through snow & crud to get you down to the pavement for traction

5) Extra set-up of R81s will perform better in the summer (aggressive cornering/very light/wide-range of tire options) & cost almost nothing

6) No gettin' around it: R90s are never going to perform like 17"ers should as heavy as they are, - runflats or not!

7) Cost of re-mounting lighter (non-runflats), or MINI-expensive run-flat WINTER tires on R90s, then switching them back/again for summer, - well, that'll get old faster than a two-peckered puppy gets "excited." :smile:

TOTAL:
preserving my R90s-run-flat set-up
+
setting-up R81s with light, effective non-runflats
= $315 [$212 R81s + $40 mounting + $63 very slightly used tires]
[Note, - I bought tire take-offs from wrecked vehicles, hand delivered to my guru 86 years-young, retired, kind tire dealer. :smile: ]

If you're in the area, his 2-car garage is full! $12-15/each! :smile: Set us up like royalty, Alex!

_________________
MINI: Best horse for the buck!

 

Check out my winter stickey at the top of the forum.

We bulit those steels just for MINI's.
I will guarantee the above fitting!

Funny that Mini NA says 15's are not a good thing for an S ,
even though the Mini and Mini S are IDENTICAL in fitments.

Call me, to save yourself some money and get into great winter traction.

Alex

 

hey dan

chuck ur stock and dunlop..sell them

next..get some nice balling 16s ur looking for..look into the SSR wheels

then throw some tires on those

 

Alex, I looked at your Winter Packages for the MINI, however, I want to keep my stock S-lites for winter wheels, and was looking into the Pirelli 240 winter in the stock 205/45-17 size. I've heard this tire is available in a run-flat too, which would be awesome for wintertime!

TIA,
Ryan

 

>>Alex, I looked at your Winter Packages for the MINI, however, I want to keep my stock S-lites for winter wheels, and was looking into the Pirelli 240 winter in the stock 205/45-17 size. I've heard this tire is available in a run-flat too, which would be awesome for wintertime!
>>
>>TIA,
>>Ryan

This tire is only currently made is RF- meaning reinforced, not runflat. The only Mini copatable run-flat snow tire I have is 195/55/16 Dunlop Wintersport M2

This does not help using S lites. I do not currently have a runflat snow in 17's. The runflat will be available this winter - but I do not know when yet!!! I will post when it comes.

I would use LM 22 for a performace snow tire choice on S lites - its is NOT runflat however.

Alex

_________________
Alex ext 294

800 522 8473

Tire & Wheel forum moderator

www.tirerack.com

alex@tirerack.com

 

ok, so runflat isn't as big a concern as stock sizing; I really want 205/45-17 on the S-lite, mostly because I don't like how 215/45-17's look on a 7" wide wheel.

If this is my situation, the Pirelli Winter 240 is my only ticket, right? If the 240 is gonna be in a runflat OEM size soon that is awesome, but obviously time is critical, December 1st is pretty much the "I need 'em" date.

Thanks,
Ryan

P.S. what exactly does "reinforced" mean?

_________________

 

>>
>>P.S. what exactly does "reinforced" mean?
>>

It means addtional support in the sidewall.

Alex

 

>>>>Alex, I looked at your Winter Packages for the MINI, however, I want to keep my stock S-lites for winter wheels, and was looking into the Pirelli 240 winter in the stock 205/45-17 size. I've heard this tire is available in a run-flat too, which would be awesome for wintertime!
>>>>
>>>>TIA,
>>>>Ryan
>>
>>This tire is only currently made is RF- meaning reinforced, not runflat. The only Mini copatable run-flat snow tire I have is 195/55/16 Dunlop Wintersport M2
>>
>>This does not help using S lites. I do not currently have a runflat snow in 17's. The runflat will be available this winter - but I do not know when yet!!! I will post when it comes.
>>
>>I would use LM 22 for a performace snow tire choice on S lites - its is NOT runflat however.
>>
>>Alex
>>
>>
Alex- I also would like to use my (heavy) 17" S wheels for snows this winter, then buy some lighter 17x7.5 wheels and new tires next year for a warm weather set-up. You suggested the Bridgestone LM-22 tires that come in a 215 size. While I have been pleased with Blizzaks on other vehicles, I don't want to go beyond the 205 size, and that leaves me with the Pirelli 240s. The Tire Rack site rates the Pirellis favorably, but you seem to have some bias. Is there more to it?

 

I feel persionally the Pirelli's are a bit noisier, and the LM22 handle better!

ALex

 

>>I feel persionally the Pirelli's are a bit noisier, and the LM22 handle better!
>>
>>ALex


Alex,

Thank you for your comments, they are very helpful! In the statement above, do you feel that the LM22's handle better in the snow, dry conditions, or all around?


I'm in New England and I need a snow tire that will grip yet be driveable on the damp melting snow pavement & dry conditions. 17" Slite pirelli's or 15" 195 60's for LM22 or Pirelli's, my big dilema! :smile:


_________________
'03 MC Pure Silver/Black #1,#3 Stock 16"
Swapping very soon for:
'04 MC Dark Silver/black All three HKnull

 

do you feel that the LM22's handle better in the snow, dry conditions, or all around?
>>

My feeling is that they handle better on dry and clear roads. LM22 also brings more snow and ice traction than ANY all season.

Alex

 

>> do you feel that the LM22's handle better in the snow, dry conditions, or all around?
>>>>
>>
>>My feeling is that they handle better on dry and clear roads. LM22 also brings more snow and ice traction than ANY all season.
>>
>>Alex
Will the LM-22s be available in 205/45-17, or is the 215 size close enough without pushing too much snow?

 

I'm also in New England. Should I assume the stock 16" all season runflats are useless in the snow?

 

I really feel bad for you all that have to worry about the winter. Us in So-Cal only have to worry about a small rain that only happens once in the full moon. How sad is that.

 

Mudslides, Earthquakes, drivebys, Sales tax, CA emissions, smog . I'll take some snow instead. Thanks for your concern.

 

Just received my Koisei Racing 16's with Blizzaks LM 22's. Winter/tire package is AWSOME! Thanks Alex for your help. Excellent service and quick delivery!