I just put on my winter tire package from Tirerack.com with the 15" tires and the Blizzak WS-50's. I know they are good tires from past experience but something I never noticed on anyother car seems to be happening on my mini:

Enhanced body roll and more importantly dive. I live in quite a bumpy town and we have our share of bad places to drive. Prior to the Blizzaks and the 15"s I never had a problem, now it seems a couple of places in town, if I'm not real careful I can scrape the front bumper a little bit.

I imagine this is mostly due to the increased amount of rubber between me and the road as I was running the hard stock runflats before on the S-Lites. At first I thought I might be low on tire pressure but everything seems to check out ok (41 psi front/back). The body roll I can live with, since you obviously can't run these tires like performance ones, but the dive is starting to bug me.

Also I was wondering, if it is the fact that I have gone down to 15"s, I was thinking about replacing my rims come spring and perhaps going down to 16"s for a couple of reasons: low-pro's are a hassle to keep in shape(like I said I got plenty of bad roads) and not that comfortable although softer tires would help... Should I be concerned about body roll with them as well?

Thanks,
Alexp

 

I run 16" blizzaks and there is noticable body roll compared to my 17's (s lites or OZ superleggera's). I have learned that it is winter and I need to drive more carefully anyway, I do not go flying around corner's with the snows on since they are soft and mushy :smile:

 

there's a set of P215/70R15 Blizzaks, like new, advertised in my local paper at $50 ea. Should I scarf 'em up for my '03 MCS. I live in the mountains of NE PA and I need smows.

 

As for the quality of the Blizzaks, I have used them on a few different cars and I really like them. They make a huge difference in the snow. Atleast they did on my SAAB, this is my first winter with the Mini so we shall see.

If those tires are in good condition I don't see why I wouldn't pick them up, however, I'm no expert but I don't know if the size you listed is right for your car.

As for my problem, I have slowed down quite a bit on my snow tires, but we are talking about changing from going over certain bumps at 25-30 mph down to 10-15, that seems like excessive dive to me, but like I said, this is the first time I have had snow tires on the mini...

 

Hey Alex @tire rack,

Wazup with this ???? :smile:

1."Enhanced body roll and more importantly dive"

2." I run 16" blizzaks and there is noticable body roll compared to my 17's (s lites or OZ superleggera's). "

Please explain...:smile:

Peace,
D

 

>>1."Enhanced body roll and more importantly dive"
1st off, this is flex in 2 regoins, tread block flex, and sidewall flex

Tread block flex - that squrmy feeling, kida buttery, like driving on a sponge. This occurs worst when tires are new for 3 reasons

1- tube link multi cell compoud - While its got amazing traction in pack snow and ice, its rather soft. Thi is why BSFS only puts this compound in the top 55% of that tire. This is what diplaces the water on a molecular levle, allowing un paralled packed snow and ice traction.

2 - 13/32 tall tread blocks - this allows the acutal squares of rubber to bend and flex. These start 3/32 deeper than most allseasons. Think of how easy it is to bend a pencil tip eracer when its new, and how much harder to bed at 1/2 way gone

The root issue - Sidewall flex - Blizzaks in our size are Q rated. This idea is that 13/32nds tread block and soft compounds like to build heat. BSFS does not want these tires above 99 Miles and hour, because the compouding can't handle it, builds too much heat. (this is true with most specally compounded tires)
This translates into the less that precise handling inputs you notice at any speed.

__________________________________________________ ____________________________
Most motorers want tries that make confident and simple piece of mind in snow and ice. These tires do that, and give up clear road handeling.

>>2." I run 16" blizzaks and there is noticable body roll compared to my 17's (s lites or OZ superleggera's). "

These are not sport tires. Whn your 1st SUV tries to keep up with you off the line, and you dust him, not even trying, you'll know what I mean.

Alex

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alex@tirerack.com

 

>>there's a set of P215/70R15

Thats great for a Minivan, not a Mini.

Alex

 

>>
...
At first I thought I might be low on tire pressure but everything seems to check out ok (41 psi front/back)
...
>>

Wow, isn't 41 PSI a bit high? I just had my Alex-of-Tirerack-supplied 185/65-15 Blizzaks on steelies mounted tonight, and the local tire shop guys said 35-37 PSI was about right. Alex, what's the best daily-driver pressure for these tires, please?

And thanks again for your prompt service, sir! :smile:

 

>>Wow, isn't 41 PSI a bit high?

I would run 33 PSI, blizzaks can wear quicker in the middle if overinflated. The soft compound used is easier to wear on over inflation.

Alex

 

Wasn't intended on HiJacking a thread today but I've got a Blizzack question.
Can't find studded snows in our winter size (195blankbrain#16's), I've learned
from past experience that the Blizz's wear fast & lose their grippiness
over time as the pattern wears. What's the lifespan? Are we talking all done
in 20K?
If so when do you anticipate "real" studded snow tires being available?

 

oooo, studs on the MINI, should be a fun ride

 

>>If so when do you anticipate "real" studded snow tires being available?

Its old technoligy I doubt will proliferate the MCS sizing.

Blizzaks are good for 30k, and most effective in thier 1st 2 seasons!

Alex

 

>>>>If so when do you anticipate "real" studded snow tires being available?
>>
>>Its old technoligy I doubt will proliferate the MCS sizing.
>>
>>Blizzaks are good for 30k, and most effective in thier 1st 2 seasons!
>>
>>Alex

Thanks for the reply Alex, so define a season for me?
If a lifespan is 30K, are they at their top of the game in the first 10K?
If so I should buy stock, we'll do prolly 15-20K over the winter...
Loved the studded feel on my "old" Mini. toss it into a corner, it's slide & then bite
like a "*****", way fun (unless you misjudged!)

Thanks again,
Cris

 

I ran my Blizzaks at 35 last winter and the fronts seem to be wearing quickly. Is 33 the right psi or might there be another issue? (other than my driving

Anne

 

Man this is a thread that was lost in time.

Your pressures sound fine. Blizzak tires are very soft. It is one of the things that makes them work so well in the snow. If you are not rotating your tires that is one reason they are wearing fast. But generaly it is just the nature of Blizzak tires. I've been through several sets & while I love how they perform in the snow/ice I hated the wear.

 

It is very important to not run them once the snow season is over. They wear fast all the time, but very fast once the roads get hot.

Put them on last minute, take them off ASAP. That is the only way to improve things.