I'm still procrastinating on getting winter shoes. My 05 MCS has 205/45 17 on now with Dunlop Sport RFs, not a winter tire at all in Chicagoland. I was able to garage it most allof last winter, but tis year I need to drive. While I don't really want steel wheels, economics says maybe no choice, but I want dedicated winter wheels (15 or 16?) As to tires, yes we get snow here, but streets are clear within a day for the most part, so I can't choose between a straight winter studless ice and snow like the maybe the Michelin X-Ice, or going with a peformance winter like the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA. I would like to hear what you are using in like areas.

 

I didn't want to spend a fortune on winter tires/rims either. Bought a set of Pirelli Winter Carving in 185/65R15 and had them mounted on Sport Edition F2 (one of the cheapest alum. wheels you can buy). Check out my gallery, should have pics of the setup on it there. I chose the 15" because I wanted as much rubber between the wheel and the ground as possible. There's also more tire choices if you go w/ 185/65R15.

I never really liked studless tires in my past experience w/ other vehicles. Made the dry pavement handling too squirrelly for my taste, plus they wear out like nobody's business. I wanted a tire that could handle ice but was still aggressive enough for Alaskan snow. Came across the Winter Carvings, saw that you could get them studded.

So far I'm quite impressed w/ them. The ride is a lot smoother than my stock runflat 17", and the handling is very tight and predictable - especially for a softer winter tire. They do awesome on the ice and in snow too. The only problem is that they're a bit noisy w/ studs, but that's to be expected anyway. These were the 2nd cheapest winter tires, on one of the cheapest aluminum wheels - a Win/Win in my opinion. Had a couple of the other Mini owners here in Kodiak look at my setup, and I think they will get the same.

Anyway. Hope this helps your decision!

 

I am on S-Lites with Pirelli SnowSport RFs 205/40/17. You can go any size you want. I am sure there are some people still selling wheels on NAM

 

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...&rw=7&bp=4-100

With the Yokohama IG10 ice guards is what I'm running in MN

 

I wouldn't recommend studded tires. You're going to be driving on mostly dry roads, and they're terrible for that.

I got a set of Borbet Type H and 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks from Tire Rack (actually I bought them used from the previous owner, but I know they came from Tire Rack). They survived one winter in northern Vermont with the first owner and two more in western Massachusetts, and I think they'll make it one more winter. I've been satisfied with them. Obviously they don't handle as well in the dry as all-weather or summer tires, but they've survived winter pot holes, which I'm sure the 17" wheels never would have done.

 

Ijust sold my mini, and am in Chicago. I have some 17" BBS RV-F wheels with snows (I cant remeber exactly what ones, but i know I ordered a performance in the dry tire over the all out snow performance tire)

I am willing to sell relatively cheap, pm me, and I'll give you my cell number, then call me tomorrow during the day, and I can give you all of the details.

The car was a hoot in the biggersnows with these on.

Steve

 

The issue is solved. I have a set of 16" 5 stars on the way I got on e-bay, and Dunlop Winter Sport M3's on the way from Tire Rack. I will be good to go in a week. Thanks for the input.