Comments on: Ask MF: Snow Tire Recommendations

By: MotoringFile » Archive » Ask MF: Snow Tire Recommendations

MotoringFile » Archive » Ask MF: Snow Tire Recommendations — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:13:56 +0000

[...] is a repost from one year ago. However given that the weather is about to get colder in the coming weeks, we [...]

By: mr.m8o

mr.m8o — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:26:39 +0000

Nokian RSi if you want some perf; Hakappallita (sic) if you need max snow traction.

By: Bilbo Baggins

Bilbo Baggins — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:45:57 +0000

Another vote for the Nokian Hakkas. Best snow tire I have ever used.

I had the unique opportunity to compare some brand new BFG Traction T/A all seasons, mounted on an Audi A4 Quattro, against some three season old Nokian Hakkapeliitta 2 studded snow tires, mounted on a 2006 MCS with LSD. In 3"-4" of sloppy wet snow that had been packed by traffic but not plowed or sanded, they both accelerated about the same with maybe a slight edge going to the AWD. Under braking or turning it was all in favor of the snow tires. It wasn't even close.

I recommend if you live where it snows, you own it to yourself to get some proper snow tires. It could save your life.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:19:43 +0000

No need to limit yourself to run-flats. Store a MINI compact spare in that useless back seat. The compact spare will clear the brakes on the rear wheels, but not on the front. Since you should never put a compact spare on the front of a FWD car, it does not matter. If you have a front flat, you need to put the compact spare on a rear wheel, and move the full sized rear tire to the front.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:47:27 +0000

I have a 2008 MCS Convertible with a factory installed Limited Slip Differential running goodyear 17 inch Goodyear 205/45R17 84V tyres, and do not have many problems on snow or ice.
With the Limited Slip Differential I can go up ice and snow covered hills with ease – It’s almost like I have a 4 wheel drive SUV. I would not have any car without Limited Slip Differential – It makes all of the difference in the world

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:41:50 +0000

Blizzaks WS-60′s on 15″ steelies. Done well so far. Note the break-in for the first 100 miles or so, feel squirmy until then.

By: Jan Wojcik

Jan Wojcik — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:50:54 +0000

I am running Vredestein Wintrac Extreme RF this winter and while they do not have the snow and ice capabilities of the Nokians that I ran on my GTI last year, they are much more highway speed friendly. Of note, they are RF (205/45-17) and their sidewall has absolutely no give, hence the ride is quite punishing. Had them previously (non-RF) on my Volvo S60R and found them to be great at highway speeds and worth the money.

By: Lewis

Lewis — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:18:22 +0000

Anyone with winter tires on their ’08 Clubman S?

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:13:43 +0000

I have an 08 MCS with 16″ wheels. Does anyone know if there is a brake clearance problem if I were to run 15″ wheels with snows? Thanks!

By: Fazzster

Fazzster — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:49:50 +0000

General Tire Altimax Arctic 185/65/15….I love these tires on my 05 MCS….great price, high quality (Made in Germany)and great all around performance even in the dry. The side walls are soft but that is to be expected for the profile. I have them mounted on a 10Lb Konig Helium wheel and enjoying the benefits associated with reducing reciprocating mass!

By: parkcityphil

parkcityphil — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:37:32 +0000

Pirelli Snowsports= Thumbs up. I put them on the 17" S-Lites for winter driving (bought the run flat version--no one wants to change a tire in a blizzard) and bought summer shoes on OZ Forgiatta wheels
The Pirellis are so much better in the Utah snow than the run flats. Ground/Snow clearance is the only issue now.

But when the roads are dry in winter, the Pirellis still perform well

By: beken

beken — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:38:32 +0000

I'm running Nexen Eurowins 185/60/15 on Mangel Allow wheels. The set was extremely inexpensive and have worked great for 3 winters now. I also have a set of cable chains in case I get stuck, but have never had to use them.

Only problem with our MINIs is the front air dam is very low. The noise of the plastic front airdam snow plowing the center humps between the tire ruts is somewhat disconcerting.

By: hank chinaski

hank chinaski — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:35:57 +0000

Best bang for the buck: Pirelli SnowControl 190â€™s mounted on 15â€³ holies or steelies.

yep!

Skinny & tall cuts through the snow,- using weight to get more tread on the pavement.

Although on "closeout", tirerack still has the 175/65/15 190's for just $57:

snowcontrols

By: goat

goat — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:47:08 +0000

And a canadian viewpoint... Nokian Hakks are the way to go for the OP since MI gets some pretty serious snowfall. Sizing the tire narrower on a smaller diameter rim is always a good idea, as others above have mentioned. It is narrow Hakks that got me through several Ottawa winters in my miata (which actually makes a pretty good winter ride with exception of the less than 4" of ground clearance on a modded one like mine).

Having said that, my JCW is running on Pirelli Snowsport 240s in stock 17" sizing since winter is nowhere near as severe in southwestern Ontario. These tires grip quite impressively in the dry and have fairly stiff sidewalls (V-rated) so don't give you that "flopping over" feeling that many winter tires do. They work quite well in snow as others have reported. However, for truly deep snow a narrower tire and more aggressive snow tread pattern would of course be optimal.

Finally, several of my friends dealing with "real winter" in Ottawa are now swearing by the Hankook IPike RC01. Inexpensive, readily available (sold even by good old Canadian Tire) and very good grip is what they are saying.

As well, as an example of legislative common sense, Quebec recently passed a law that requires all cars registered in that province to run winter tires on all 4 wheels after November 15th of each year. Sadly, an analogous bill was just defeated in Ontario.

By: paulgraz

paulgraz — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:38:18 +0000

Best bang for the buck: Pirelli SnowControl 190′s mounted on 15″ holies or steelies.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:19:01 +0000

Another vote for the Blizzak WS-50 and Revo 1. They are hardcore snow tires, and may seem like a bit much, but that feeling quickly disappears during an ice storm – you’ll be glad you have them. I am now running my second full set on my 03 MCS. Be diligent in checking the treads since they do lose grip significantly below a certain trad level.

By: C4

C4 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:49:50 +0000

Snow! What’s snow! :)

By: James

James — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:45:46 +0000

If you can find them, Nokian makes their Hockey-pucks under their “non-name-brand” brand of Nordman. Not sure about MINI-sizes, but they have been excellent tires for my BMWs in New England winters.

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:44:42 +0000

Living in Minneapolis, I highly recommend running Blizzak LM25 snow tires. My new 2008 MINI Cooper S came with 17″ all season run flats. Those all season run flats are like bald tires on ice. I put the Blizzaks on and now my little MINI is like a snow plow. Well, not quite that good, though it’s a night and day difference. I had a 2007 Cooper S that I drove the first season with those all season run flats on. They were a terror to say the least and I’ve driven in our harsh winter climate for 30 years. This is my first set of snow tires and I’m now a firm believer that if you live here in the Midwest, snow tires are a must, especially on the MINI. I have to say, this is probably the best winter driving I’ve done. They grip that slimmy greasy slick brown snow without sliding around corners, they take off really well from a stop and I can actually stop with them. The first time out last year with the all seasons, I slide right on through the first stop sign… that was a lonnnnng winter. Now I drive my MINI with confidence in the snow and ice. Well worth the money. I also recommend having a second set of rims. I put the all seasons on a nice set of chrome rims, and put the Blizzaks on the rims the car came with… Just swap them in the spring when temps reach 45.

By: Bwana Yak

Bwana Yak — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:08:28 +0000

I put the Dunlop winter tires on my ’06 MCS two years ago and the ride was smooth and the handling excellent. In fact, I liked the handling so much that I left them on over the summer. The only drawback was that they got noisy after about 20K miles.