MINI2

SSR · Apr 14th, 2008, 07:21 AM

HI all

What's the best 16in snow tires size for the MINI? The reason I'm asking is because I have a set of 205/55/16 snow tires from my previous car that I want to put on my MCS this winter (with steeles). If they don't fit I will sell them.

Thanks!

Fredrik · Apr 14th, 2008, 08:04 AM

I am using 195/55-16 for my R56 S and they fit perfect.
205/55-16 might be a gamble and I think they will look BIG (in a strange way) .

MINI recommends 195/55-16 (thats for the R56, dont know for the R50/R53 though).

Ferroequine · Apr 14th, 2008, 02:12 PM

The thinner the tire, the better it is able to cut through snow. A 195 will do a lot better than a 205 in that respect; the 205 will also bring the profile of the tire up, making it larger in diameter and giving it a bit less clearance in the wheel wells.

I run 195/55-16 for my winter boots.

beken · Apr 14th, 2008, 04:05 PM

I'm also using 195 widths but on 15" wheels.

miniDD · Apr 16th, 2008, 03:35 AM

i am running 205 50 16" for my summers. A 55 would be to tall. I think they would fit but the speedo would be off.

CLiVE · Apr 16th, 2008, 04:10 AM

195/60/15's here on FRD Type 6 rims.

You might have an easier time finding a cheap set of mags vs steelies. Check tirerack, and give CMS a call.

SSR · Apr 16th, 2008, 05:02 AM

Thanks for the replies guys..looks like I'm gonna sell those winters as well then and get new winters.

beken · Apr 16th, 2008, 07:03 PM

Actually, if you're in Vancouver and you don't venture out into the mountains very often, it's not that big a deal to have really decent snowtires. However, if you're a skier or you venture into the interior often, then yes, get the best snowtires you can afford.

Get narrower tires because, if my physics serves my correctly, the narrow tire means more of the car's weight is pushing down onto the snow instead of spread across the tire, which means better traction. Of course you're sacrificing dry cornering performance.

Join one of the MINI clubs in town. VMCC has an arrangement with a sponsor. You can get a decent set of snowtires on alloy wheels for a pretty decent price. Mine cost about $600 installed, taxes included.

But then....it's spring. Time to change over to summer tires, don't you think?

SSR · Apr 22nd, 2008, 02:40 AM

Wow $600 for a entire set of winters with alloys? That sounds like a good deal.

Quote: Originally Posted by beken (original)

Actually, if you're in Vancouver and you don't venture out into the mountains very often, it's not that big a deal to have really decent snowtires. However, if you're a skier or you venture into the interior often, then yes, get the best snowtires you can afford.

Get narrower tires because, if my physics serves my correctly, the narrow tire means more of the car's weight is pushing down onto the snow instead of spread across the tire, which means better traction. Of course you're sacrificing dry cornering performance.

Join one of the MINI clubs in town. VMCC has an arrangement with a sponsor. You can get a decent set of snowtires on alloy wheels for a pretty decent price. Mine cost about $600 installed, taxes included.

But then....it's spring. Time to change over to summer tires, don't you think?

beken · Apr 22nd, 2008, 04:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SSR (original)

Wow $600 for a entire set of winters with alloys? That sounds like a good deal.

Yup...it is a good deal. The tire shop is Vancouver MINI Cooper Club sponsor. Club members get a discount.
VMCC has membership dues, but the discounts generally make up for the dues. The dues pay for various events and the webpage.

Apr 14th, 2008, 07:21 AM	#1
SSR MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Local Time: 03:10 AM Posts: 8 Offline	Snow Tires Size HI all What's the best 16in snow tires size for the MINI? The reason I'm asking is because I have a set of 205/55/16 snow tires from my previous car that I want to put on my MCS this winter (with steeles). If they don't fit I will sell them. Thanks!

Apr 14th, 2008, 02:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ferroequine Formerly known as MiniVee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Calgary Local Time: 04:10 AM Posts: 1,318 Offline	The thinner the tire, the better it is able to cut through snow. A 195 will do a lot better than a 205 in that respect; the 205 will also bring the profile of the tire up, making it larger in diameter and giving it a bit less clearance in the wheel wells. I run 195/55-16 for my winter boots. www.MINICalgary.com

Apr 14th, 2008, 04:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
beken 05 MCS BEP Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Delta, BC, Canada Local Time: 03:10 AM Posts: 1,174 Offline	I'm also using 195 widths but on 15" wheels. 05MCS BEP - Alta 22mm rear anti-swaybar, Madness CAI

Apr 16th, 2008, 07:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
beken 05 MCS BEP Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Delta, BC, Canada Local Time: 03:10 AM Posts: 1,174 Offline	Actually, if you're in Vancouver and you don't venture out into the mountains very often, it's not that big a deal to have really decent snowtires. However, if you're a skier or you venture into the interior often, then yes, get the best snowtires you can afford. Get narrower tires because, if my physics serves my correctly, the narrow tire means more of the car's weight is pushing down onto the snow instead of spread across the tire, which means better traction. Of course you're sacrificing dry cornering performance. Join one of the MINI clubs in town. VMCC has an arrangement with a sponsor. You can get a decent set of snowtires on alloy wheels for a pretty decent price. Mine cost about $600 installed, taxes included. But then....it's spring. Time to change over to summer tires, don't you think? 05MCS BEP - Alta 22mm rear anti-swaybar, Madness CAI

Apr 22nd, 2008, 04:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
beken 05 MCS BEP Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Delta, BC, Canada Local Time: 03:10 AM Posts: 1,174 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by SSR (original) Wow $600 for a entire set of winters with alloys? That sounds like a good deal. Yup...it is a good deal. The tire shop is Vancouver MINI Cooper Club sponsor. Club members get a discount. VMCC has membership dues, but the discounts generally make up for the dues. The dues pay for various events and the webpage. 05MCS BEP - Alta 22mm rear anti-swaybar, Madness CAI

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Apr 14th, 2008, 08:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
Fredrik Event organiser, NMCS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stockholm Local Time: 12:10 PM Posts: 229 Offline	I am using 195/55-16 for my R56 S and they fit perfect. 205/55-16 might be a gamble and I think they will look BIG (in a strange way) . MINI recommends 195/55-16 (thats for the R56, dont know for the R50/R53 though).

Apr 16th, 2008, 03:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
miniDD Get Moose and Squirrel Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Calgary Local Time: 04:10 AM Posts: 53 Offline	i am running 205 50 16" for my summers. A 55 would be to tall. I think they would fit but the speedo would be off.

Apr 16th, 2008, 04:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
CLiVE MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Local Time: 04:10 AM Posts: 27 Offline	195/60/15's here on FRD Type 6 rims. You might have an easier time finding a cheap set of mags vs steelies. Check tirerack, and give CMS a call.

Apr 16th, 2008, 05:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
SSR MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Local Time: 03:10 AM Posts: 8 Offline	Thanks for the replies guys..looks like I'm gonna sell those winters as well then and get new winters.

Apr 22nd, 2008, 02:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
SSR MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Local Time: 03:10 AM Posts: 8 Offline	Wow $600 for a entire set of winters with alloys? That sounds like a good deal. Quote: Originally Posted by beken (original) Actually, if you're in Vancouver and you don't venture out into the mountains very often, it's not that big a deal to have really decent snowtires. However, if you're a skier or you venture into the interior often, then yes, get the best snowtires you can afford. Get narrower tires because, if my physics serves my correctly, the narrow tire means more of the car's weight is pushing down onto the snow instead of spread across the tire, which means better traction. Of course you're sacrificing dry cornering performance. Join one of the MINI clubs in town. VMCC has an arrangement with a sponsor. You can get a decent set of snowtires on alloy wheels for a pretty decent price. Mine cost about $600 installed, taxes included. But then....it's spring. Time to change over to summer tires, don't you think?

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