I have the standard 16 inch wheels on my MINI currently. There are two things I want to do with my wheels/tires.

1. I want to switch to 17 inch wheels and tires with black wheels to match my mirrors and roof.

So question number one what are some good 17 inch street wheels avaliable in black to match the roof. Don't want anything super light since this will be every day wheel.

2. I am moving to CT in january and will neet real winter tires.

Should I get a set of 16 inch Blizzaks and put them on my old wheels or get some dedicated steel wheels and bilzzaks. I could probably sell my old 16 inch wheels and get back most of the purchase price for the winter wheels and tires.

 

black wheels there are quite a few inexpensive solutions.. another is to find a better style in silver, then just power coat it black... there should be good wheelshops that can do tat! flik wasp and flik arctic seems to be most popular, 19 lbs and are relatively inexpensive

i use black steel rims for winter (15's), and they do the job.. i'd recommend getting the oem ones though, not that aftermarket won't do... i had rubbing experience with aftermarket ones though.. just a thing to watch out for...

 

I called my dealer and got some used 8 spoke 15" rims for $50 each. The 15 snow tires are $25 cheaper than 16" although with 16" you can get a runflat.

 

I ordered black but got gunmetal, I liked them so much that I kept them. www.speedandstyle.com REV model 11s.

 

1. Start at edgeracing for black or anthracite 17" wheels in 4x100 bolt pattern-
http://www.edgeracing.com/wheels/flik/
Some examples-

Bullet-C 17x7 et 42 17 pounds $120 each

Fuel Carbon 17x7 et 42 17 pounds $150 each

tdr-b 17x7 et 38 15.5 pounds $155 each

Wasp black polished lip 17x7 et 42 19 pounds $95 each

2. If you want to keep your 16" stock rims and add snow tires talk to alex@tirerack.com and that is an option. Generally narrow tires will work to cut through snow more easily. Some owners use stock 15x5.5" rims (probably cheap if used) and put on snow tires.

 

I have Dunlop Winter Sport M3 195/55-16 available in DSST Runflat for $125 or non runflat for $105, Third winter this year.

http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&...num=955R6WSDSS

My Brother-in-law has Nokian WR 205-50-16. not sure price. A wickedly flexible All-Season with the hardcore snow rating.

http://www.nokiantyres.com/passenger...name=NOKIAN+WR

Both do way better on dry than Blizzak WS-50, which are only slightly better in ice but wear oh so fast and wallow around..

Masher in Colorado
Next time around I think I'll do Nokians too.

 

I am going to be in VA for the first part of the winter and then in CT after the first of the year so I need more of a compromise snow tire that will be good in the dry as well as wet.

 

im running pirelli winter carving... they do the job over here in toronto, where there are snow plows consistently

they amaze me in the dry though in winter, they are quiet, rides very well, and grips well in the dry and the wet... if it's mostly city you do (where the big roads will be plowed) i do recommend them