Winter tyres on a mini?

[335man]

With all the messages of doom about the winter to come I am wondering whether to fit winter tyres to my wife's 2014 mini hatch.

What do people think? Do the winter tyres really improve the handling of the mini in ice/snow should it come?

The mini dealers seem to have some reasonable deals and I don't want to wait until it snows to decide I should have got them and there be none available!

The car gets used for short daily journeys but these are really essential even when it snows.

Any advice welcome! Thanks.

[trawler]

This question will open a can of worms.

The wheels on the wife's Mini are changed every summer/winter so from our point of view the answer is yes.

You also have mail.

[Oggs]

I am in the yes camp as the wife had them on her Mini for work ( driving instructor) and are great for braking in bad conditions.
We now have them on her Countryman..... Reminds me to now get round to selling her old set.

[DanGT]

In snow and ice 100% yes. They help a lot I have driven a lot of cars with winter tyres and it dose give you a lot more grip no question. Even all weather tyres give more grip in snow and ice than normal tyres (Had both on my car). They also don't wear so quick so if you are going to keep the car for some time they are well worth it.

[madbadger]

My wifes Mini is also on winters.

It depends if you like her or not.

[335man]

Thanks for all the comments. It's a lot more positive and in favour than I initially expected. The car is in for a warranty issue on Weds - tyre pressure control unit failure. So think I will look at the different options then.

Trawler I didn't get your mail.

Cheers!

[mon the fish]

My R53 has had a lot of money/time spent on the suspension, so it handles and grips stupidly well now. Would take corners much quicker than the wife's old standard Clubman. Until it got cold, and we put winters on the Clubman. Made a massive difference to grip levels in freezing conditions.

Also got me up and over Glenshee just before the closed the road a couple of winters ago!

So a definite yes from me

[trawler]

335man said:

Thanks for all the comments. It's a lot more positive and in favour than I initially expected. The car is in for a warranty issue on Weds - tyre pressure control unit failure. So think I will look at the different options then.

Trawler I didn't get your mail.

Cheers!

Strange. I received a copy of my sent E mail from PH. Will it have gone to your private address or do you have to look it up on the forum. Not used the service before.

If you still cant find it send me an E mail & I will reply.

[Maracus]

Our R56 MCS them on. I bought a second hand set of OEM 16" 'Bridge' wheels with Bridgestone Blizzaks on for £340 from ebay last month, they are £1100 new from MINI. The tyres had done 500 miles and the wheels are 99% perfect.

I can certainly notice the softness of them when pushing on around corners compared to the 17" Summers.

MPG seems down about 5-10%, but that's probably down to the colder air temperature.

[Bigbox]

This is something i'm also considering - not keen on driving on icy roads in such a light car

[mneame]

Never had them on any car I've owned before. Just nabbed a set from a mate for a bargain who has sold his Mini. Night and day difference.

Loving the higher sidewalls too (I've gone from 17" wheels to 15"). When it's time for normal tyres I'll be looking for another set of 15" to replace the 17".

[orbtar]

We put 19" winter tyres on my wife's Countryman All4 when it was three weeks old as it was appalling on icy or snow covered roads. The difference was like night and day. The tyres have stayed on ever since then, as being non run flats, they ride so much better.

[Cheib]

Bigbox said:

This is something i'm also considering - not keen on driving on icy roads in such a light car

What has weight got to do with it ? If anything having a lighter car where there is limited traction is probably better. Also less weight to stop ?

[DavidLScott]

If it's icy, nothing short of studs will stop you sliding.

[DanGT]

David in short no they do get some grip even on ice. Not as good as chains or studs but some and a lot more than summer/normal tyres.

[Neilios]

Worth the time where we live, my wife's Mini Cooper SD has them on and my e92 as well. Such a massive difference when needed and in normal conditions fine also.

[Blue62]

I fitted winters to our mini one, they perform well in snow, better than summers on ice and very good in cold, damp conditions, where the braking distance is clearly better than summers.

[oedo]

I've been seriously impressed with the new Falken Eurowinters on my JCW this year.

Quieter and more comfortable than my summers (Hankook Evo V12) and the grip on greasy roads this time of year is comically good. Suffice to say the car is more fun to drive in the wet now than the dry!

Not seen a snifter of snow yet but they've already been more than worth it in my opinion.

[watchnut]

buy some...they are great....I bought some 15" steel wheels from BMW with winter tyres on them for about £465. It makes sense for safety in the colder weather.

It also makes sense economically if you are keeping the car for a while as they are likely to last you about 3-5 winters, and if you have alloys make them look nicer for longer as they will not get blattered by salt/grit.

clean, and lay flat in a cool place out of sunlight. They will definitely need reinflating after a few months not being used

If you buy the correct wheels (BMW will advise) they will be narrower but higher profile than anything fat you might have on as standard

once you have driven on winter tyres you will only ever want to drive on them in the snow/ice/wet&cold. They do make a difference, but, physics is physics, and if you drive like a tt winter wheels/tyres will not save you

[watchnut]

bet you have never driven in really bad weather on sheet ice/heavy snow then?......like to see you drive in some countries without "winter tyres" on you wouldn't get very far very safe.....