Hi folks - I know there has been a lot of discussion around about tires and wheels for winter. I'm still a bit confused and thought more targeted questions would help me decide.

I have the standard "all season" run flats on standard 16" wheels. I'm going into the Poconos of PA in February (Elk Mountain) and want to be sure I can handle what she throws at me.

Tire Rack tells me I have two options - the current 195/55R16's or the recommended 205/50R16's. I know I get a bit more clearance with the 205's so I am looking at those, but stock levels may make me stay with the 195's.

Here are my questions:

1) If I get the 205's, can I still mount them on the existing rims? I ask this because while I am probably getting a set of both rims and tires, I'd like the new rims to be the primary summer ones and relegate the cheaper stock wheels to winter duty.

2) I've heard that Blizzacs are "squirrely" and probably the best reviews were the Hakka's (R series, I believe?). Tire Rack does not carry Hakka's, so it either Hakka's or Mich Alpins. Any thoughts? Where is a good place to get Hakka's? I may have to move fast on the Alpins if I want them.

3) Any suggestions on rims? I know that the alloy wheels get beat up a lot in winter and many folks stick to steel, but I'm inclined to stay alloy.

Thanks for any suggestions/shared experience.

Lee

 

1) yes.
2) My friends and relatives run and love Blizzacs.
3) My wifes uncle had Sport Editions wheels from Tirerack on his BMW 1 series and liked them alot.

 

I drove last week, in the snow, with my OEM tires, that was not fun. No stopping traction and no take off traction, I couldn't even get up a slight hill near my work.

Right before the storm for last week, I finally pulled the trigger on:
Dunlop Graspic DS-3 Studless Ice & Snow tires NON Runflat 205/50R16.
Elbrus IO2 Silver Machined W/Ice Coating 16 X 7.5 Rims.
I got the 433MHz Tire Pressure Sensors and Reguired Valves.
All 4 Mounted and Ballanced for $1,016.00 from Tirerack.

I thought they were going to be delivered after Christmas, but I got them on Christmas Eve. We had another storm on its way, and so I put them on. I then drove to work after Christmas, and just love it!!! My 2013 Mini Convertible is now a snowmobile! All I can say is WOW.

I got 16" rims and tires (OEM was 17"), to make it a softer ride. I also went with NON Runflats. The ride is sooooo much more soft. It is like a Cadillac. You don't get that solid feeling like you do with the larger wheels and runflat tires. It is a softer ride, and not as sporty BUT I'm not going to go carving corners in the mountains with these on either! I still have my summer tires and wheels, and they will go on, when it is time for fun!! Well a different sort of fun, because I'm having a blast in the snow right now!!!

The Elbrus IO2's are a five spoke wheel. The reason I did this, is so I can clean out ice/snow/mud from the inside of the wheel, easier when and if I need too.

 

Thought I'd add that Preston from Tire Rack told me that I would get better clearance from the 195's and that they also were a narrower tire, which bodes well for snow. I was under the impression the 205/50's were higher than the 195/55's but he said they were actually shorter.

 

The difference in tire diameter of these two tire sizes is 0.3". Not much if you have stock suspension.

 

Mine are working great, with no clearance issues. My car is basically the same as yours, 2013 S.

 

I have a set of 09 clubman 15" tires and wheels for sale for $200 plus shipping. Tires have over 6/32 tread remaining.

 

1. Yes.
2. I've had Blizzaks and now Hakka R's. I won't ride the Blizzaks again even if I got a lifetime supply for free.
3. Alloys are fine, but try to find simpler patterns for easy cleanings ;p

 

What do you dislike so much about the Blizzaks? The non-sporty models are not sporty tires by any stretch in non-freezing conditions, but work wonderfully in snow. I had Continental ExtremeWinterContact tires on my last car, and they seemed to be worse than the WS70s that I have on my S.

--Matt

 

I expect my winter tires to perform just as well as my summer tires(reasonably speaking obviously). While the Blizzaks perform acceptably as a winter set, the Hakka R makes winter roads seem like summer roads. And there's some winter conditions(non extreme) that I've found the Blizzaks to be questionable(semi wet snow/slush). No such weakness on the Hakka. So once I found a better(and safer) tire option I see no reason to go back to the inferior one. YMMV

 

While I can understand your sentiments, saying you wouldn't ride Blizzaks if you had a lifetime supply for free seems a bit extreme...no? I was assuming you had a chain of dangerous failures or something. Which model Blizzaks were you using?

--Matt

 

Blizzaks do squirm. I have run them for 15 years, once you become comfortable with the soft sidewall and tread block squirm, in my opinion they are predictable.

If you want precise handling, look for performance winter tires, however the traction will not be as effective in severe weather.

I do have to buy my studless ice and snow Blizzaks, and will keep doing so.

 

IzzyG, I completely agree with you about the Hakka R's. I had Blizzaks on my car prior to putting the Hakka R's on, and wow, what a difference. The Hakka R's are amazing, far superior to Blizzaks or X-ice, which I also tried. Like you, I'll never run my Mini on anything but the Nokians even if offered a lifetime supply of something else!