I want to get a set of snow tires for my 08 cooper. it has the sports package if that matter. it came with 16s from the factory but want to put on 15s because because they are just so much cheaper than 16s.

Will 15s fit?

what size where the factory 15" rims and tires? I know the bolt pattern is 4x100

 

i'm looking at a 185/65/15 michelin winter tire and some 15x6.5 wheels

 

The OE 15" wheels are 15X5.5" with ET45. The OE tire size is 175/65/15, which should be a good snow tire size.

15X6.5" wheels are a popular width increase in general, but the extra wheel/tire width should slightly hinder going in the snow compared to the narrower OE wheel/tire. The 185/65/15 tire might work in the snow better on a 15X5.5" rim than on a 15X6.5" rim. A 6.5" wide rim usually takes a 195 or 205 width tire for optimum fit, but some usual rules of thumb might not apply for snow tires.

For an expert's opinion, contact Alex at Tire Rack. He's the Tire Rack rep on NAM.

 

I am looking at 175/65/15 and they are just SO cheap and everyone seems to say they are a perfect size for the snow. As long as I have no troubles putting 15s on (which it doesn't seem like it) I should be all set.

I assume though a 15x6.5 can hold the 175/65/15 no problem?

Im looking at the Michelin X-Ice Xi2

EDIT:
I think I get it now... Tirerack doesn't sell a wheel that actually fits the 175s or at least it doesn't think it does.

 

Yes, I think you've got it. New or used OE 15" wheels with OE sized snow tires seem to work well in the snow. 15X6.5" wheels with 195 or 205 width non-snow tires work well without snow. Used OE wheels are often offered for sale on NAM.

The main reasons most people buy aftermarket wheels are apparently for extra width, lightness, and looks. There are some aftermarket wheels in the OE 15X5.5" size, but most that I've seen cater to H Stock autocrossers; i.e., they're very lightweight and somewhat expensive. They would be overkill for snow tires.

 

If you go to tirerack you will find 16" wheels and snow tires are suggested for your MINI, but if you search for winter tires in 175/65-15 you can find some good snow tires.

some examples-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=yes&tab=Specs
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=yes&tab=Specs
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=yes&tab=Specs

This tire size fits rims 5-6" wide
All closeout priced, for more info email Alex@tirerack.com or call him at extention 294

 

what about rims 6.5" wide with the 175/65/15s?

I'm looking at the closeout michelin x-ice2s and the cheapie 15x6.5 Sport Edition SE-16 Silver Painted wheels

I really don't want to search around for used OE 15 wheels and then get the tire and then pay to have the mounted and blanaced and all.

 

I'm beginning to understand why Tire Rack recommends their 16" wheels for snow tires; they don't carry 15X5.5" wheels. I'd think that 175/65/15 snow tires on 15X5.5" rims would work very well in snow.

For the 15X6.5" wheel, Tire Rack recommends size 195/60/15 tires, so the 175/65/15 is a bit too narrow to provide a good fit for the wider wheel. The 175/65/15 tire fits rims 5 to 6" wide, but is molded to optimally fit a 5.5" rim, such as the OE MC wheel.

If you really want to get a Tire Rack wheel and snow tire package, maybe a 16" set-up would be better than mounting narrow tires on a wide 15" rim. Most 16" wheels for the MC at Tire Rack are 7" wide, with only a few 6.5" wide. Thus, you'd probably be getting 195 width tires; the same width that they recommend for their 15X6.5" wheels.

 

Yes, you can fit narrow 175/65-15 tires on wide 15x6.5" wheels but it won't be as good a fit, it will make the narrow tire flatter on contact patch than what it was designed for. But only 1/2" too wide so not a big problem is that is your best option given the choice to stay with 15" vs switching to 16". I think it is a workable solution as long as you know you are doing that on purpose.

The other option is to switch to a slightly wider tire size that will fit the 15x6.5" wide rim perfectly-

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....5XI2&tab=Specs
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=yes&tab=Specs
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=yes&tab=Specs
and others for about $90 each or less

The 185mm wide tire is still good in snow albeit the wheel is 1" wider than the stock 15".

Otherwise your other option is to get a set of used OEM 15" MINI wheels and put 175/65-15 snow tires on them. Ebay and your local MINI club are good sources for used wheelsets.

 

Guessillgo185s or the 195s. Id rather the thinner tires for the snow

 

OEM 15inch wheels will fit, I have a set of wheels I can sell you cheap if your interested. here is a pic they are mint and from a 2011 MC. PM me if interested. Rim Width: 5.5J, Offset: 45, Tire size from factory was 175/65 R15