Winter Tires/Rims

[mredden]

I am a few days away from picking up an 07 MCS with the 17" wheels (part of the Sports Package). We've had a couple flurries already this winter so the heavy stuff can't be far behind. Looking for advice on what tires/rims I should go with. I have been running winter tires on steel rims for all my vehicles the past several years but know the MINI is different for several reasons- Run Flat tires, no steel rims available for 07 MCS and Tire Pressure Monitoring system.

I live in SW Ontario. Any advice, experiences would be appreciated.

[RS3TURN]

The prices on Tirerack.com are tough to beat these days even with shipping/duty. Tirerack will now quote you a price including UPS/brokerage fees. Take a look.

I would recommend you go with a 15" wheel/tire package. 15's do fit on the Cooper S, and when winter tires are concerned, the narrower the better. (I have a 15" wheel/tire package on my MCS).

FYI, tirerack has the Blizzak Revo 1's on closeout. Excellent tires, but both the WS50, and Revo 1 are being replaced by the WS60. As a result great deals on the Revo's now. $58/tire!! A set of 15" rims are around $81/wheel. ($556 + shipping/brokerage)
Gives you the option to add the TPMS sensors for $184.

Most recently ordered 4 Blizzak Revo's for my MINI and it came to $385 delivered. Arrived within 1 week. Bought my rims locally from CMS for ~$100/wheel 2 seasons ago.

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by RS3TURN (original)

I would recommend you go with a 15" wheel/tire package. 15's do fit on the Cooper S, and when winter tires are concerned, the narrower the better. (I have a 15" wheel/tire package on my MCS).

15" rims fit the R53 'S' , but not the R56 'S'. The rotors and calipers on the 2007 Cooper 'S' are larger than previous years. You may find steel wheels that fit in a 16", but it is the off-set that you need to be aware of (that info should be in the FAQ - the R90 one-piece is the wheel that the dealers are fitting to the 'S' for winter tires this year, so if you can find the off-set for that rim). Has RS3TURN states, you will probably find a great deal at Tirerack. I've bought from them before and had no issues at all.

Tire pressure monitor won't affect anything, other than it will need to be reset when you swap wheels. It works off the ABS computer, and monitors the rotational speed of the wheels. A drop in circumference (due to a pressure decrease) means the wheel rotates more quickly and triggers the light on the dash.

[RS3TURN]

Quote: Originally Posted by faster,Tobias! (original)

15" rims fit the R53 'S' , but not the R56 'S'. The rotors and calipers on the 2007 Cooper 'S' are larger than previous years.

Tirerack has a 15" pkg that they say fits the R56? Not sure...

[MiniDD]

If you want to keep costs down go to a non runflat and buy a tire inflation/repair kit from Canadian Tire for $40. I have used the Toyo winter tires on my other cars in the past and love them.

[RS3TURN]

Quote: Originally Posted by miniDD (original)

If you want to keep costs down go to a non runflat and buy a tire inflation/repair kit from Canadian Tire for $40. I have used the Toyo winter tires on my other cars in the past and love them.

Definitely lose the runflats. Terrible terrible tires, both in terms of performance and replacement cost. Carry a inflation repair kit, and a CAA membership.

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by RS3TURN (original)

Tirerack has a 15" pkg that they say fits the R56? Not sure...

I just had a look at Tirerack, and I'm confused too....ahh, spoke with the techs, and looking at the Tirerack site I think I've figured it out. There are 15" alloy rims, but no steel rims. This is because the centre of the steel rims have a bowl shape that is welded to the outer rim further back and won't clear the brakes. The centre of the alloys, being one piece, is flat, leaving enough room to accomodate the rotors on the inside of the wheel. And MINI don't produce an alloy in 15" with an offset that clears the 11.5" rotors on the 'S', hence only the 16 " alloy being available.

[beken]

Hey Faster,

Are the brakes on the S different than the regular Cooper for 2007+?
I was looking at the MINIUSA brochure and they have 15" alloys available.

I don't remember reading anything about the 15" wheels only for the Cooper.

[Senior]

I cannot let this thread go by without saying something good about RUN FLAT TIRES or should I say, Run on Flat. I recently installed my second set, this time again Goodyear, but their new Excellence tires. These are quieter, but still retain enough character as to let you know you are cruisin down the hiway in something special. I do not get these people who buy a car with near uncompremised handling and complain about the beautiful sound of noise. The side benefit of the run flat is the insurance factor which means your loved one is not left in some god-forsaken place at night while you try to convince her on the cell phone how to use that stuff in the trunk to blow up the tire & whatever. Now for the last time everyone, LET'S HEAR IT FOR RUN ON FLAT, YEAH

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by beken (original)

Hey Faster,

Are the brakes on the S different than the regular Cooper for 2007+?
I was looking at the MINIUSA brochure and they have 15" alloys available.

I don't remember reading anything about the 15" wheels only for the Cooper.

Yes, the brakes on the R56 Cooper are smaller than the brakes on the R56 'S' .

Quote: Originally Posted by Senior (original)

I cannot let this thread go by without saying something good about RUN FLAT TIRES or should I say, Run on Flat. I recently installed my second set, this time again Goodyear, but their new Excellence tires. These are quieter, but still retain enough character as to let you know you are cruisin down the hiway in something special. I do not get these people who buy a car with near uncompremised handling and complain about the beautiful sound of noise. The side benefit of the run flat is the insurance factor which means your loved one is not left in some god-forsaken place at night while you try to convince her on the cell phone how to use that stuff in the trunk to blow up the tire & whatever. Now for the last time everyone, LET'S HEAR IT FOR RUN ON FLAT, YEAH

Haha. I ditched the Run FLats as my summer tires, if only because they weren't sticky enough, but kept Run Flats for my winter tires. Who wants to change a flat in the cold and snow? But I had no issues even when I ran them for summer tires, with noise or ride.

[beken]

Quote: Originally Posted by Senior (original)

I cannot let this thread go by without saying something good about RUN FLAT TIRES or should I say, Run on Flat. I recently installed my second set, this time again Goodyear, but their new Excellence tires. These are quieter, but still retain enough character as to let you know you are cruisin down the hiway in something special. I do not get these people who buy a car with near uncompremised handling and complain about the beautiful sound of noise. The side benefit of the run flat is the insurance factor which means your loved one is not left in some god-forsaken place at night while you try to convince her on the cell phone how to use that stuff in the trunk to blow up the tire & whatever. Now for the last time everyone, LET'S HEAR IT FOR RUN ON FLAT, YEAH

I'm glad you like the Run on Flat tires. In concept, I like the run on flats. In reality, I've had more problems with them than any other tire I've ever had on any of my cars. In the almost three years I've had my MCS, I've patched two and had to remount one tire and finally, when the sidewall of one of the tires separated from the tread, I decided that Run on Flats were not quite ready for prime time yet. So I switched to regular high performance (Z rated) tires and will depend on my CAA membership and have a compressor and bottle of slime in my boot. Having done that, I've decided that the summer high performance tires I now have are not as sticky or as sharp in handling as the original Pirelli Euphori@'s that came with the car so I might go back to Run on Flats later as the technology improves and the price comes down.

In anycase, I have snowtires on right now and what's with all this white stuff in Vancouver this time of year????? Glad I have the snows on. Sure is fun driving a MINI in the snow

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by beken (original)

...Having done that, I've decided that the summer high performance tires I now have are not as sticky or as sharp in handling as the original Pirelli Euphori@'s that came with the car so I might go back to Run on Flats later as the technology improves and the price comes down....

Try the Goodyear Eagles. Amazing grip in the rain also, something I imagine is important on the Wet Coast.

[beken]

Quote: Originally Posted by faster,Tobias! (original)

Try the Goodyear Eagles. Amazing grip in the rain also, something I imagine is important on the Wet Coast.

I've had Goodyear tires on my other cars and they do very well when they are new. Especially in the wet. However, when they get old and get rather worn, they don't wear down gracefully.

The last two sets of Goodyear tires I had ...albeit not on a MINI, eventually went out-of-round. More like wore into an oblong shape and became rather dangerous. They had lots of tread on them still but not driveable on the highway. So I'm going to pass on the Goodyears for now.

[Rocco9999]

Quote: Originally Posted by RS3TURN (original)

Tirerack has a 15" pkg that they say fits the R56? Not sure...

Yes they fit the R56 but not R56 COOPER S

[Rocco9999]

Quote: Originally Posted by beken (original)

Hey Faster,

Are the brakes on the S different than the regular Cooper for 2007+?

Yes they are bigger on the >07 MCS.