Maybe a few of you that are very knowledgable about tires could give me some guidance. Here's the situation:

It looks like my daughter is going to start a new job where she has 35 mile commute each way. Being in the medical field, she can't easily call in when weather is bad. She will need to get to work.

I am thinking of giving her my 09 MINI Justa. I would sell what she is driving and get myself a new car...probably a Countryman. I have 24,000 miles my Justa and tires are wearing out. So with New Jersey weather, I am thinking of putting on a good tire for winter because in Northwestern Jersey, there is more snow than Jersey gets in the NYC area.

The Justa has OEM Conti 175/65/15 All Season Tires (not run flats.) If it was me driving I would probably put the same tire on again but if weather is bad, I can stay home.

So I am thinking of upgrading to something that would be better for snow/winter driving. I realize all season tires are not a great subsititute for winter tires dealing with snow/slush and ice as can frequently happen in northwestern NJ. I have a few questions:

1. What about putting on a set of Nokian WRG2 available in the same 175/65/15?

2. What about the Nokian Hakkapellita R? It does not come in 175/65/15 but I could put on a different size. If so, what size? Would this tire be better on the MINI than the WRG2?

3. While wanting to have safe winter tires on the car, I would like to avoid going to a strict winter tire that I would take off in April and replace with the Conti OEM All Season for 9 months of the year.

4. If not Nokian, what would be a best choice? And what size if it doesn't come in 175/65/15. Price is not the major concern. Price is relevant but I am willing to pay a little more for something that is worth a little more.

Knowledgable advice is appreciated.

 

For piece of mind, get snow tires.

Our Justa has a set of Bridgestone WS60 and very happy with them. Much better than the all seasons. BTW we are in the Albany, NY area so we understand. There are many very good tires out on the market and, from my understanding, Nokian is one of them.

Best to go with the 175-65x15s but 185-65x15s are another good choice.

Another suggestion for snow tires is to buy a second set of MINI rims off NAM, Craigs list or Ebay. Also, there are better all season tires out there than the OEM tires, the Conti DWS being one of them.

Hope this helps.

 

Appreciate your comments Eddie. I am thinking of doing exactly that...getting a set of wheels and going with snow tires. Then change back in the spring. Though the Nokian WRG2 is a winter tire that can be used all year and not require getting a set of wheels and changing back and forth.

Thats why I asked for input to help me decide. Thanks again.

 

For your MINI

Stock 15" wheels can be used for either winter or summer use-
Tire sizes that will be fine:
175/65-15
185/65-15
195/60-15
205/55-15

Aftermarket 15" wheels are easy to find for the MINI from 6 to 7" wide, 4x100 bolt pattern, MINI hub bore 56.1mm

You can find winter wheels and tires in 15" and 16" from tirerack.com
Talk or email Alex@tirerack for more info.

Although the MINI comes with stock Conti All Season tires you can also consider summer tires for most of the year then switch to winter tires in the fall.

Nokia WRG2 is a winter tire that can be used year round but it is a compromise, likely more noise and not sharp handling in the dry.
Be sure to select H or V speed rated tires rather than T rated.

For summer tires you can select from Ultra High Performance All Season or Summer tires, or even Grand Touring All Season tires. The Summer tires will give slightly better handling that can be appreciated in your base Cooper.

In general if you have a chance a more narrow winter tire handles deep snow better than a wider tire. So 175/65 or 185/65 is good.

 

Thanks much Minihune!
Thanks for the info!

If it was me driving the car I would just get OEM All Season's. But if I give it to my daughter, sell her car, and get myself something new, I want to have something safe for winter driving. I'll either go with 185's Nokian, a winter tire that can be driven all year or go with wheels and winter tires, and get another set of tires in the spring.
Just gotta decide which way to go.