It will be winter here in New Jersey before we know it. I am planning on getting snow tires for my MCS. I know getting snows with rims (probably from tire rack) is the easiest solution, however I like the look of my 17 inch sport package rims and I'm trying to decide whether to go with 15's with steel rims or get 17 inch snows so I can mount them on my stock sport package wheels. I also want to get really good snow tires since I have another car to drive if it turns out to be a mild winter (after last year, I doubt it).

What do you use? Does anyone have snows or steel rims? How do the covers for the steel rims look? Anyone have pictures? If I'm going to have the snows on three months a year, I want the rims to look atractive.

Thanks

RaceCarDriver

 

Racer,

I'm in a similar situation, MCS sport pkg. 17" S-Lites with the Pirelli Euphori@s. Heavy and Hi-perf = winter drivers, not! I just got my order yesterday from the Tire Rack (Thanks Alex) of 16" Kosei K-1 with Pirelli 210 Snowsports in 205/50HR 16 size. For my kind of winter, not too much snow, lots of dry cold days and slush, this should be a good setup. I also went with the 16" Koseis so that if I want to auto-x next spring, I'll be halfway to town already. Might want to consider similar.

_________________
BLUBELLE - 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley, Moss Skid Plate, Chrome Trim Interior

 

The only tire in OE 205/45-17 size is the Pirelli Winter 240.

moving to wheel/tire forum

 

I am running 16" Bridgstone Blizzaks on aftermarket wheels. They work Great in the snow.

 

Racecardriver -

Check out my snow tire stickey at the top of the wheel and tire forum

Alex

 

Racecardriver,

I pondered which setup to use from TireRack and finally configured my own. I've heard good things about the Blizaak WS-50 tires but better about the Nokian Hakkapeliita Q's. I ordered the 15" steel wheels from the dealer at $42 each and the tires were about $92 each from a local Firestone dealer. My MCS is lowered with H-Sport springs and I was concerned I would have rubbing from the 185/65-15 snow tire. I did a test fit/drive yesterday with no rubbing issues at all. I can't wait to try these out in the snow to verify the reputation for these tires. Tire information is available from http://www.nokiantires.com.

Good Luck!

Jason

 

Thanks for the GREAT info, everyone!!!!!

RaceCarDriver

 

>>I am running 16" Bridgstone Blizzaks on aftermarket wheels. They work Great in the snow.

Vdubdoug,

Rims look great! How much did they cost you?

RaceCarDriver

 

>>Racecardriver,
>>
>>I pondered which setup to use from TireRack and finally configured my own. I've heard good things about the Blizaak WS-50 tires but better about the Nokian Hakkapeliita Q's. I ordered the 15" steel wheels from the dealer at $42 each and the tires were about $92 each from a local Firestone dealer. My MCS is lowered with H-Sport springs and I was concerned I would have rubbing from the 185/65-15 snow tire. I did a test fit/drive yesterday with no rubbing issues at all. I can't wait to try these out in the snow to verify the reputation for these tires. Tire information is available from http://www.nokiantires.com.
>>
>>Good Luck!
>>
>>Jason


Jason,

Any pictures of the steel wheels? Not sure how the steel wheels would look?

RaceCarDriver

 

Here's my EB/W MCS with its black, 15", steel wheels fitted with Blizzaks.
I am not looking forward to winter...

 

I'm in a similar situation. MCS, 17" S-Lites with the performance Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSST (runflats). I live in MA and am expecting a serious winter. I'm leaning toward the economical route, Tire Rack's steel wheel package with the Blizzacks.
But I really wanted to bring up the point about un-mounting/re-mounting winter tires on your OEM wheels, or any wheel for that matter, rather then having a winter wheel/tire set to just swap on/off.
The first, and most obvious to mention is the convenience or cost. DIY in your driveway at your leisure, or bring them to NTB and have them do it if you prefer. Still cheaper then having them un-mounted, re-mounted, and balanced.
Secondly is the risk that you take every time you have your tires un/re-mounted. That's a switchover twice a year, 4 times a year each tire will be placed in that machine, 16 chances a year that one of your wheels could be damaged. This happened to my buddy twice in the past 6 months. The first time on his 99 Saab Viggen (on 3 wheels the finish was extensively damaged, right down to scrapping the alloy), and just recently on his 00 Audi S4 (basically the same deal but with only 2 wheels). AND this service was provided at the respected Saab and Audi dealerships.
Maybe he just has bad luck. But I for one would like to minimize my chances as much as possible. Just some food for thought.

-J

 

>>Racecardriver -
>>
>>Check out my snow tire stickey at the top of the wheel and tire forum
>>
>>Alex


Alex@TireRack

Since my car currently has 17in wheels, won't changing to 16's or 15's make my speedometer/odometer inaccurate?

RaceCarDriver

 

>>>>Racecardriver -

>>Since my car currently has 17in wheels, won't changing to 16's or 15's make my speedometer/odometer inaccurate?
>>
>>RaceCarDriver
>>


You can minimize the MPH offset by selecting a wheel/tire diameter which is as close as possible to stock.... here is a good calculator that I've been using for years:

Tire Size Calculator

If you have 205/45 R-17's, these tires whould have the closest diameter to stock.

195/60 R15's 60MPH really means 59.9 .2%
195/55 R16's 60MPH really means 60.4 .7%
185/65 R15's 60MPH really means 60.5 .8%

Note: 195/55 R16's are offered in a run-flat form. I don't think 195/60's R15 is a "common" tire size. A few people swear by the 185/65 R15 w/steelies on MCO.

Vdubdoug, what do you do for flat tire "insurance"? do you have a spare in the back or are you carrying fix-o-flat?


_________________
'03 MC PS/B PP.CWP 16" RF's traded 10/11/03 for ->
'04 MCS DS/B PP,SP,CWP, HK

 

I live in Montreal, where we have fairly serious winter. I bought my MINI Cooper S late August 2002. In October, I found out that I was not ready to use my 16" Dunlops for the winter when I ran into an early snowfall in the mountains north of here. I chose Blizzak WS50 mounted on steel 15" wheels. To keep salt etc. off the bolts I also added some plastic hubcaps. This doesn't look too bad and works a treat! I had absolute confidence driving in any conditions last winter.
I just had them put on again this week for about $30 and I can hardly wait for the snow!

 

This is available as a run flat.

There are two run flat choices in OE 195/55-16 size.

For more info:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43525