Any suggestions out there as to what would be the best option in winter tires for my Cooper currently with 16" Dunlop R/F's....
not sure I like the idea of having no spare!!

 

best suggestion is to invest in some snow tires... or slow down.

 

I just got a set of Blizzaks ...and was advised by many miniowners/Alex of Tirerack... that these are the ones to go with. i drove arounfd last winter w/ my Toyo Proxes T1S's and it was a big mistake. My MCS slid all over the place...it was dangerous here in NY. IMHO these cars must have snow tires if you are in a climate that warrants them.

IM vdubdoug who has used them all last season..... for some info/insight

Hope that helps

Peace,
D
>>Any suggestions out there as to what would be the best option in winter tires for my Cooper currently with 16" Dunlop R/F's....
>>not sure I like the idea of having no spare!!

 

Anyone know how the factory M+S Continentials on the 15" mini wheels perform in the snow?

 

>>Anyone know how the factory M+S Continentials on the 15" mini wheels perform in the snow?
If you have a MINI club you might ask owners there for how those stock tires handle in the snow or ask your sales persons-don't they have to take the MINIs out for test drives in the winter and notice how bad they handle?
I would guess that none of the stock tires does a decent job with snow. To be safe I think it would be good to consider snow tires or a snow tire package (set of rims and tires for winter).

If so then check out these from tirerack-
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ic=15286&0

I'm glad I don't get snow in Hawaii. I had my fill from 5 winters in Chicago with no snow tires.

 

I opted for 205/50/16 Michelin Arctic Alpins. I steered clear of the Blizzaks (although they are supposed to have the best ice/snow traction) because they reportedly are the ultimate in quick wear. I'm happy with the Michelins so far (only a few small snows here in Denver) and they were reasonably priced at Discount Tire Direct (about $96 each after a Michelin rebate, no tax or shipping charge). Even winter tires are a smoother ride than the runflats and the handling isn't too bad.

 

I went with 205 50 HR 16 Pirelli 210 SnowSport tires. In my locale, we commonly have less than 20" of snowfall all winter, but lots of rain and slush, so these tires work well in the cold, in both wet and dry conditions. Call Alex at Tire Rack and tell him what conditions are common in your area, and get his recommendation.

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

 

will find out soon how well the P6 fourseasons in 205/50/16's will handle
soon.

 

Actually, I think I'm gonna give the 15" steelies a shot with some wheel covers (was thinkin wire wheels would ROCK!!!! j/k) And, picking up a 15" spare donut at the dealership (for peace of mind)

Maybe some fake knock-offs!!

 

We live in the Sierra near Tahoe. I just got a set of Blizzak WS-50's for our Subaru. So far they are great. Sorry, I park my MCS car in the nextdoor garage.
Check the rankings available on the Tirerack website.

 

>>Any suggestions out there as to what would be the best option in winter tires for my Cooper currently with 16" Dunlop R/F's....
>>not sure I like the idea of having no spare!!

You say "my Cooper" but your sig pic looks like an "S" and no spare tells me also that you have a "Cooper S" not a Cooper.
That said, I would recommend a 15" rims and tire package and if you REALLY have a problem with no spare then get a "donut spare" to carry in the boot area.
I have gone with the Dunlop Winter Sport in 175/65-15 and diamond pattern chains from Big O. The reason for doing so are to comply with California DOT - not my choice ( I think that snow tires are probably all that is needed). CA DOT has mandatory chain requirement for two wheel drive vehicles to cross the Sierra even with snow tires so I selected a snow tire that I could also chain up. The Owners Manual says that only 175/65-15 or 175/60-16 can be chained, so to comply I went with the Dunlop. Everyones situation is different, you need to consider your requirements and try to apply other peoples solutions to those requirements.
Good luck and have fun in the snow!


_________________
2003 Cooper VR/W, Black Interior, Cold Pak MFSW, DSC, OBC
Mods: Clear 3rd Brake Light, Stubby Antenna, Cocomats, Clean Visors, Minilite Wheels, CNC Pedals

 

I ordered my car with the Euphori@'s thinking that my car would arrive at the end of winter. It got here in October. Being in New England, I am going to have to replace the tires for the winter. Given a) the incredible expense of buying the RSA's, b) the fact that they aren't that great in the snow anyway, and c) the cost of changing the run-flats on my existing wheels, I'm opting to get another set of wheels with non-runflat tires--probably Pirelli SnowCrash 240's--to bolt on for the winter along with a Cooper spare ($154 from MINIPeabody) to throw in the back. This will al run @$1700, and the car hasn't even broken yet.

Is anyone else with an S dragging around a Cooper spare? If so, how is that working out? Does it fit in the boot?

Is there a cheaper alternative for the spare?

 

I'm dragging around a full sized spare and it does fit in the boot if you remove the shelf. It's a tight fit, but it does not roll around one bit.

I went this route because I had an extra wheel and tire and like the idea of having a full-sized spare on long trips so that I can continue my journey at full speed.

 

>>I'm dragging around a full sized spare and it does fit in the boot if you remove the shelf. It's a tight fit, but it does not roll around one bit.
>>
>>I went this route because I had an extra wheel and tire and like the idea of having a full-sized spare on long trips so that I can continue my journey at full speed.

How big is the donut that comes with the Cooper?