[HarryHBMCC]

It sounds like there will be winter runflats for us after all! My MINI parts guy called me today and had pricing but no other hard details so I'll be updating this thread when I hear even more.

Two winter tire/wheel packages will be available, both on 16" wheels, in late September or October (I sure hope we don't need them that early!). One package is runflat, the other is non-runflat. Sounds like both are Dunlops so likely the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 195/55R16s performance snows which must now also come in a DSST design. Both the packages came with a set of alloy wheels (6 spoke) which makes them expensive (in Canadian dollars, $1900 for the runflats or $1595 for the non-runflats, hopefully including balancing and installation). I didn't enquire at this time if I could get the tires separately or on steel wheels instead. I don't know if other sources will be able to get the DSST version though Tirerack does show the regular M3s.

I thought about using my existing rims but by the time you pay to install and balance winter and summer tires every year the price of extra wheels pays for itself. I'd like to stick with alloys for the look but steelies would be cheaper. Decisions, decisions...

Harry

[supercuper]

According to the brochure the 16' Star Alloys that come with our Launch Editions are All Weather, so I was going to leave the purchase of Winter tires aside. Obviously though winter tires are going to produce better grip then The all weather but I don't fancy parting with $2000 yet. However in the new Accessories guide there are the steel chain nets to go on tires for real bad conditions, I may invest in those if conditions get really bad.

Have a good weekend!

[HarryHBMCC]

Check your tires. I don't think you'll find M+S on them anywhere. Unless I'm mistaken the sports package 5-spoke 16" wheels come with summer tires.

Are chains legal in Ontario? I don't think they are.

$2000 may be too much. Extra steel 15" rims and snow tires will still probably run me $800 or so.

Harry

[supercuper]

You're probably right. I haven'y checked my tires. All I know is that the brochure was very clear about having all seasons but I know how they change things are the last moment.

As far as the weekend goes I'm trying to get SomeBlondeGuy to meet at Dairy Queen on Ottawa St, Kitchener on tomorrow night for a little show off. If you are in the area let me know.

[noahe]

Quote:

One package is runflat, the other is non-runflat.

So there is your Cooper/Cooper S package. $305 more for those of us who do not have a spare, eh?

Quote:

Sounds like both are Dunlops so likely the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 195/55R16s performance snows which must now also come in a DSST design.

Well it's about time someone made them. Hope these are good, because Blizzaks and a can of goo and a compressor are sounding cheaper and better. Seriously, when was the last time you had a blow-out in the winter?

Quote:

Both the packages came with a set of alloy wheels (6 spoke)

Which ones are these? I've never seen a 16" 6-Spoke design anywhere.

Quote:

Are chains legal in Ontario? I don't think they are.

They are not. Snow Ropes aren't either - steel or poly.

[HarryHBMCC]

Quote:

Originally posted by supercuper
As far as the weekend goes I'm trying to get SomeBlondeGuy to meet at Dairy Queen on Ottawa St, Kitchener on tomorrow night for a little show off. If you are in the area let me know.

Off topic but I PMed you and so far, no response. What time? Do you want to announce it in case a few others check their email this morning/afternoon? I will try to be there, though I can't guarantee it.

Harry

[HarryHBMCC]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe
So there is your Cooper/Cooper S package. $305 more for those of us who do not have a spare, eh?
Well it's about time someone made them. Hope these are good, because Blizzaks and a can of goo and a compressor are sounding cheaper and better. Seriously, when was the last time you had a blow-out in the winter?
Which ones are these? I've never seen a 16" 6-Spoke design anywhere.
They are not. Snow Ropes aren't either - steel or poly.

Yeah, it is expensive, that's for sure. I'm not sure if I want to go right down to Q rated Blizzaks but 15" steel wheels for $50 CND each plus $150 each for T or H rated tires (say, Vredestein Snowtracs or Wintracs) would be much cheaper. I don't know if I want to sit on squishy Q rated tires for 4-6 months of the year so at any rate I think I'm getting at least T rated if not H rated tires. In 185/65R15 size the Vredesteins are $140 for T rated or $158 for H rated which isn't much more than Q rated Blizzaks but should handle much better. Nokian HRWs in the same size can also be had T or H rated. Both of these get good reviews both for snow traction and handling.

The 6-spoke design is not a factory MINI wheel. I'm not sure what they look like.

I'm of mixed feelings with regards to steel vs. alloy wheels. If my Cooper is wearing them from December to April then I don't know if ugly black steel wheels are going to be the ticket (kind of like Q rated tires). On the other hand, I thought much of the point of getting steel wheels in winter was to avoid ruining expensive alloy wheels with salt! I was hoping they might bring over some 15" steelies with hubcaps from the ONE -- at least they'd be official MINI wheels. Might see if they can order them from the parts catalogue.

As far as blowouts go, I've never had one in all my years of motoring but I've never had a rock crack my windshield or had my car's badges stolen before but both have happened to my MINI so unfortunately it seems like there are many firsts with my Cooper. It would be ironic to get a flat in the MINI without a spare and I'm not sure how much I trust the can of goo (I don't know if you can repair tires after using the goo).

Studs, chains, etc. are all illegal here so it is studless winter tires for us.

Harry

[HarryHBMCC]

Actually, the deal isn't as bad as I thought. The Dunlop SP 9000 225/50WR16 DSSTs are $202 on Tirerack while the non-runflat 225/60ZR15s are $129 (For 225/55 they are $217 for DSST or $135 for regular). So $75 CND more for runflats isn't a bad deal.

The Dunlop Winter Sport M3's in 195/55R16 size are $170 on Tirerack. Using that number, the tires alone for the non-runflat winter tire package would be over $1000 CND. That means the 4 16" 6-spoke alloy wheels are about $150 each. 15" steel rims are $50 so for bigger alloys to be just 3x as much it isn't unreasonable.

Still quite expensive but for what we're getting it isn't the inflated dealer price I was expecting.

Harry

[milwaukeeboy]

At least in the US (check MINIUSA) you can specify sport or all season with the 16" wheels.

I took the all season hoping that i too can sidestep the snowtire issue (at least for the first season).

This is counter to my usual theory of wearing summer shoes in the summer and snow-pacs in the winter. On my current Honda Civic, I have a set of Blizzaks mounted on rims and do the swap. But money does not grow on trees

[noahe]

Uh-oh. I sent an email through the Dunlop Tire site to get more information on any DSST Run-Flat Winter tire. In addition, I specifically cited the size above, as well as the intended application - New MINI. I got this back...

Quote:

consumer_relations@goodyear.com

Thank-you for taking the time to contact Goodyear. As you may or may not know, Goodyear now owns Dunlop and is currently handling all customer concerns for Dunlop.

I am not aware of any production of the tire you are speaking of.

Goodyear Customer Assistance Representative

[milwaukeeboy]

FIRESTONE

[HarryHBMCC]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe
Uh-oh. I sent an email through the Dunlop Tire site to get more information on any DSST Run-Flat Winter tire. In addition, I specifically cited the size above, as well as the intended application - New MINI. I got this back...

You won't find the MINI sized OEM tires very easily from north american tire contacts as they are european sizes. Most of them are made in Europe by Goodyear affiliates or by Pirelli. My Goodyear Eagle NCT5 EMT tires say "MADE IN GERMANY" on the side and I suspect the Dunlops are made across the pond too.

Harry

[HarryHBMCC]

There will be a 15" steel wheel package too, probably non-runflat but unless these are the 15" steel wheels from the MINI ONE there won't be much difference between it and what I can get elsewhere. It sounds like there won't be a 16" steel runflat package. Will post more info as it becomes available...

Harry

[milwaukeeboy]

rather than i spend 5 minutes with the browser, could someone tell me what the current US/Canada dollar exchange rate is? I'm finding it impossible to think in loonies.

Cheers.

[thegrommit]

1 CAD = 0.64 USD
1 USD = 1.55 CAD

[Martin]

MINI have only approved the Goodyear Eagle-Ultra Grip 5 EMT(run-flat) in the size 195/55 R16. In the size 175/60 R16 (on a special 5,5J winter alloy rim) the Dunlop M2 DSST is approved.

Watch out using the 15" steel wheels on the Cooper S. My dealer and MINI recommended me no to use them on my S. They cited "brake cooling" issue of the more powerful S with the smaller 15" with wheel trims, and the fact that 15" isn't run flat.

[HarryHBMCC]

Very interesting. In my calls to/from the parts guy he never mentioned the size. At first it appears like it will be a much lower ride height than the 195/55R16s but in fact it is only 4.5mm lower. 175mm wide 16" tires sound good for winter and they'll even fit snow chains! May just have to spring for them.

Harry

[noahe]

Well, I'm not really concerned. I've got a MCS, and my first preference would be to put the 15" rims on, because they are narrower to cut through the snow, and sound a lot cheaper than the DSST Winter Tire and 4 fancy rims.

The Cooper can weigh a maximum of 1480 kg, and the MCS can weigh a maximum of 1415 kg. That's combined vehicle and load. The MCS is heavier, so the Cooper can definately take a larger load.

I would assume both car's brakes work within the range of the maximum load. Since both cars have identical braking sizes and systems, and the Cooper can be equipped with 15" rims (15" Steel Rims on a MINI One), then I would imagine brake cooling not to be an issue.

Simply put, MINI One's and Cooper's equipped with 15" rims of any kind, filled full of cargo equalling or bettering the MCS's weight, don't experience heat related brake failure. So putting 15" rims on a MCS shouldn't be a trouble.

In addition, you'd be running this set-up in the winter, so cooling should be OK.

The non-runflat is kind of an issue. I'm personally not real comfortable without a spare or a runflat, but people in europe seem OK with the can of fix-a-flat, and a compressor - so maybe I should too. I can't even remember the last time I had a flat tire.

[ezrally]

Good point about brake cooling in the winter Noahe. I know how a dealer/BMW-MINI could be about using 15s on an S if in fact all of them do not "recommend" it.
Maybe (plus the runflat issue) this is why Tire Rack has no wheel/tire packages available due to the MINIs "special" case. Still going to get 15s (alloys,maybe Panas) for the size winter tires we will use on our S.

[Martin]

Noahe,

Thats right a narrower tyre is better in snow. The 16" winter tyres I bought from the dealer are 175/60 R16. They fit on a special winter 5,5J rim, which means they have exactly the same contour as the 175/65 R15, and can be used in conjunction with snowchains. I also haven't had a puncture in years, but there's always a chance.

I agree in a proper winter, with -10 outside, brake cooling won't be an issue. However what happens when it warms up a bit and your drive includes a few steep down hills, a tantilising B-road with loads of overtake opportunities, or a fast Autobahn dash? Would it be safe then? MINI and my local dealer don't think so. I'm not going to argue with the folk who made such a great car.

The weights you quoted are erronious. The Cooper with manual gearbox is 1480kg, correct. However according to my handbook the S can be a max. of 1570kg, . (Empty weights Cooper = 1125kg S=1215kg)

I was looking at it from another angle too. The S can be heavier, has approx. an extra 48bhp,and with a shorter (hence better acceleration) geared 6 speed box than the Cooper. So you can overtake more, launch out of bends faster and accelerat from traffic lights quicker. And at some point you've got to disapate all that extra kinetic energy using the brakes (turning it to heat) to slow down.

Considering the advise of the dealer/MINI. That I don't want to be driving around in a car that's got brake faded/rumbling discs/pads on it, I'm sticking with the 16" narrow winter tyres.