Morning folks

I've looked at the arguments and decided that it would probably be prudent to switch to winter tyres.

However, I have an R53 and run 205/45/17s... What is the best deal anyone has got a set of winter runflats for?

I seem to be looking around £180 a tyre (fitted)... I'm sure folk on here have done better than that, haven't they?

Failing that, I wouldn't mind getting 5 smaller alloys (15s or 16s) and non-run flat winter tyres, but literally don't know the first thing of what I'm looking for to ensure they fit when it comes to buying alloys.

Also, my tyre insurance will only cover run flats, so if it's not going to be significantly cheaper this way round, there's no point as I like the satisfaction of getting a problem and then making it somebody else's... (namely my local BMW dealer).

I think I would prefer run flats all told, but obviously £720 brings a tear to my wallet!

Advice/info would be greatly appreciated (seriously!).

Paul

Hi ya
I don't know if this will help.
I bought some 16" steel wheels from bmw for £180 for 4 rims did not think it was bad price as I have looked at other steel options and alloys and there alot more money.
I brought back some Hancock blizzards 195/55/16 from Denmark with me last time I came home.
I have a jcw brake kit on mine and the wheels clear ok :-)
Have a look at the links below see if it any help to you,

RealOEM.com BMW R53 Cooper S MINI steel disc wheel style 12 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=36_0793&hg=36&fg=10)

tyres online @ mytyres.co.uk: tyre dealer for cheap passenger, summer, winter tyres (http://www.mytyres.co.uk/)

Id go with the steel rim option, we'll i probably will in a couple of weeks. 15 " with 175/65/15s on

RealOEM.com BMW R53 Cooper S MINI steel disc wheel style 12 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=36_0793&hg=36&fg=10)
That's interesting, as I didn't realise Mini sold a 16" steel wheel.

However for anyone else looking, it might be worth pointing out that this is a narrower than normal wheel - 5.5J instead of the 6.5J of regular 16" wheels.

So this is a wheel intended for use with extreme winter tyres, probably studded, which will be narrower than summer tyres - RealOEM shows that Mini list 175/60x16 for this.

I think I started out all wrong in going for a narrow winter tyre for better behaviour in snow - for us Brits, that is such a small part of winter driving that I've now gone the other way and want a winter tyre that works best on wet or dry cold (not freezing) roads, so putting it on a narrower wheel giving a less stable tread is not ideal.

That's interesting, as I didn't realise Mini sold a 16" steel wheel.

However for anyone else looking, it might be worth pointing out that this is a narrower than normal wheel - 5.5J instead of the 6.5J of regular 16" wheels.

So this is a wheel intended for use with extreme winter tyres, probably studded, which will be narrower than summer tyres - RealOEM shows that Mini list 175/60x16 for this.

I think I started out all wrong in going for a narrow winter tyre for better behaviour in snow - for us Brits, that is such a small part of winter driving that I've now gone the other way and want a winter tyre that works best on wet or dry cold (not freezing) roads, so putting it on a narrower wheel giving a less stable tread is not ideal.

Good point with the tyre size, may be worth just putting winter tyres on my 16" rims 195/65/16

I went for 17" alloys and blazzard rft for my countryman. We are driving to the alps in the new year so thought the £1375 was worth it. I reckon on using them till march, then back to my 18" standards. As its about 5 months use each year I hope that the less miles on the summer tyres makes it even out over time.

I recently asked a BMW dealership if their advertised 15" steel wheels with winter tyres would fit my 54 R53 MCS and they said no! :eek:

From what I have read on here and seen in the winter tire gallery they should, sooooo confused ....

Has anyone actually fitted 15" steels onto a R53 MCS?

Thanks

Ash

I recently asked a BMW dealership if their advertised 15" steel wheels with winter tyres would fit my 54 R53 MCS and they said no! :eek:

From what I have read on here and seen in the winter tire gallery they should, sooooo confused ....

Has anyone actually fitted 15" steels onto a R53 MCS?

Thanks

Ash

If you have standard brakes then 15" will fit, no problem :smile:
I used to run 15" steelies but now have alloys for winter instead, just fitted them today :smile:

If you have standard brakes then 15" will fit, no problem :smile:
I used to run 15" steelies but now have alloys for winter instead, just fitted them today :smile:

Thanks, that's interesting then, wonder why BMW think differently, or perhaps its just a mistake on their part, I will call another fairly local dealership today and see what they say. :puzzled:

Thanks, that's interesting then, wonder why BMW think differently, or perhaps its just a mistake on their part, I will call another fairly local dealership today and see what they say. :puzzled:

Interesting answer from the same dealership was effectively 15's do fit but BMW recommend 16" or 17" for the R53 MCS .... hmm .... why because they cost more??? :eek:

If you have standard brakes then 15" will fit, no problem :smile:
I used to run 15" steelies but now have alloys for winter instead, just fitted them today :smile:

Hi again, anyone recommend where to get some 15" steels and winter tires?? They still seem almost as expensive as buying 205/45/17 winter tires! :(

Its worth checking out ebay for 15" alloys, in particular the pepperpot type as they're nice and light too.

For tyres Search Results: 175/65 R15 Winter / cold weather tyres - mytyres.co.uk (http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?suchen=Ordern&cart_id=46847186.110.17366&ranzahl=4&Breite=175&Quer=65&Felge=15&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=50&sort_by=preis)
Prices have gone up, the Nokian WR D3 were about £62 when i got mine, now £10 dearer :eek:

Then find a local fitter to put them together for cash ;)