Title pretty much says it all. I know 195 is the recommended width for winters on a MINI, and I know narrower is better in the snow, but selection for 16" winter tires in 195 width is really, really poor. Has anybody had good experience with 205 width tires in the snow?

 

There's a trade-off between narrow tires for deep snow, and wider tires for the dry roads. Snow tires also grip the road better in cold weather; a wider tire will give you a bigger contact patch which means better control on the dry or hard-packed surfaces. (Including ice.)

The narrow tire will bite into snow better, but has a smaller contact patch when you're not in snow.

You have to decide what kind of conditions you are going to experience most often...

And then you have to figure out exactly how wide you can go on the rims you have, and given the wheel-well clearances you have.

HTH,
--
Darryl

 

I personally think the width issue is a moot point, .4 inches between a 195 and a 205. If the snow is so deep that this tiny amount makes a difference, probably shouldn't be out anyway. I run 215s and have no issues or problems in snow.

 

I've run 205/55 16 all season tires for the last two winters without issue.

 

205 55 16 for the Winter, have had no issues at all

 

This.^^^. Just dont do what I did and run 225 A/S's. Still thinking about the Nokians?

 

 

I do like the Nokians (which are avaliable in 195/55/16, too), but I'm having a hard time justifying their price at ~$165/per when I can get a very good set of performance winters at Tirerack for under $100/per. As far as I can tell, the Nokians are more-or-less just another performance winter tire.

 

I think your assessment is correct. They really arent all that special.

205/55/16 Dunlop Wintersport. Do that. I talked to a MS3 owner who was using them and he says he loves them.