I keep getting mixed signals between the dealerships and garages and Tire Rack about what kind of snow tires to get for my baby.
I didn't have them on last year and want them this year.
The only tires I can find on Tire Rack are Conti's TS790. They are cheap and the same size.
Should I stay with those? Go with a slighty larger size even though it may alter my performance/speedometer, etc.?
I also know a lot of people recommend getting the tires with steel wheels, but I did the math and if I keep the tires for 5 years, it will still be cheaper to not have the tires on rims. I know. I know. It is better for the car to have them on rims.....
Well. I have lots of questions and would love some very related feedback!
With your vehicle being a 06' Cooper, runflats are not required, and you can use 15-17" wheels with out modification. I currently have a customer who owned a 2004 and has now purchased a 07' The snow tire package she had for her 04' will not work with her current vehicle but will on yours. I am assuming she will be looking for $200-$300 when i recieve more information i will let you know. We currently do not have any 15" but can order them for $675.00
HI Mark, Thanks for the reply. Are you SURE I can go higher than 15 inches? If anything, don't you think I would be better off going higher in terms of 185's?? Still, won't changing/modifying alter the alignment, splash more mud/snow around, change the speedometer, etc???
The dealer I talked to didn't recommend this and the headquarters as well, actually.
for winter you kind of want a narrow tire. I would stick with the stock size or 16" at the max. The reason you dont generally see 17" snows on our cars is because the tires are too wide. They kind of act like a snowshoe and you drive on top of the snow instead of having your tire contact the pavemant. Stick with the 15's
I have heard 15" is better in snow, but if I had the chance to get a good deal on some 16" wheels and tires I would go for it. I've heard good things about the Blizzaks, so that's another good option (I'm hazy on remembering the compatible sizes but that makes sense).
I really recommend getting a separate set of wheels to mount the tires on. There will be mounting charges each time you swap them, and it will take longer to do it. They don't take up any more room to store them, either!
I've got Blizzaks on my 05' MCS. The car is normally equipped with 17" wheels / tires but the snows are 15" on black steel rims. Since the 17" tires are a Plus One (or Two?) conversion from the base stock car, going back down to the 15" wheels with a higher profile tire doesn't significantly affect the speedometer reading. Handling is another matter as the snows are more squishy and don't hold in the dry as well as the stock tires, so I need to be careful for the first few days after the switchover.
The Blizzak uses a hydropillic (water attracting) compound so it's quite good on ice (as other tires using this type of compound should also be). As mentioned, a narrow 15" tire is much better on snow than a wide 17" tire as the more narrow tire will tend to cut into the snow more than the wider tires which will ride up and over.
As others have mentioned the separate wheels are an excellent idea. Aside from avoiding the twice a year mounting and balancing charges you also minimize the risk of wheel damage by an inexperienced / careless tire guy.
One more thing...what about this letter rating?? The manuf told me to go with H, V,W, Y, or Z...but the Blizzaks I want are Q...should I avoid Q or R or T??? I don't get it.
Basically, the different letters indicate the speed rating of a tire. i.e. the maximum recommended speed. They are as follows:
ZR above 149 mph (240 km/h) Y 186 mph (300 km/h) W 168 mph (270 km/h) V (with service description) 149 mph (240 km/h) H 130 mph (210 km/h) U 124 mph (200 km/h) T 118 mph (190 km/h) S 112 mph (180 km/h) R 106 mph (170 km/h) Q 99 mph (160 km/h) P 93 mph (150 km/h) N 87 mph (140 km/h) M 81 mph (130 km/h) Temporary Spare Tires
The Blizzaks Q speed rating means that if you're driving on the highway at more or less normal speeds then there will be sufficient reserve and you should be fine. But, it's not a performance tire in any sense of the word. If you're planning on making top speed runs down the Thruway then you'd want to get a higher rated tire. I've used the Blizzaks for several seasons, driving at all sorts of speeds (but not usually at a sustained 100 mph or above) and have never had any difficulties.
One thing to be aware of is that the hydropillic compound will wear rapidly when the pavement warms up in the Spring so they need to be off the car once the temps are in the 60's and 70's. Some winter tires are constructed so only the first half of the tread is hydropillic so when the tire is half worn you have a non-hydropillic winter tire. Others use that type of compound for the entire tread.
I have a friend in the Buffalo area that is selling a used set of winter wheels from his '04 MINI. They should fit your '06 perfectly (unless you have a "big brake kit" like John Cooper Works brakes, like I do). Here is his description:
"For Sale: Wheels and Snow Tires, Originally for 2004 MINI Cooper, the Wheels are 5 spoke ASA 15 x 7, 4 x 100 mm (or 4 x 108mm) bolt circle, 42mm offset, 56 mm hub adapter (Hub is 73 mm) The tires are Bridgestone WS-50, 185/65 SR15. Used three seasons, but not many miles. $300.00 for the set."
This may be something to consider to get you started off on winter wheels this year. You may get a couple years out of these tires and then you have the rims for another set of tires afterwards.
If you are interested in taking a look at them send him an e-mail at: potocki{dot}mp{at}hotmail.com. Mike is "first class" when it comes to dealing with people and taking care of his cars.
