| Snow chains and tyre width.
The MINI Handbook says that only 175/65/15 may have snow chains fitted.A 16" tyre size is also mentioned that will take the snow chains also a 175 width.
I assume that the extra width of the snow chains will catch on the body work/suspension or brake lines. Or perhaps it is the larger radius of the other sizes?
Some snow chains have projections of upto 25mm on the inner face caused by connectors on the chain.
I have a set of Michelin Pilot Alpins in the 195/55/15 size and am wondering about fitting some chains that never protrude by more than 9mm. As some owners have fitted 215mm wide tyres and they have not reported any problems, it would seem that 195 tyres with 9mm extra width (213mm) should not foul anything. Also the radius of 195/55/15s is 13mm less than 175/65/15s, so an extra 9mm of chain should still not cause a problem.
Theory is fine, but trying it out is better. I have ordered a set of these 9mm chains to try them out. All is not lost if the experiment fails as I have another car that has exactly the same tyre size that definately will take this type of chain. |