If this topic has already been discussed please forgive me but I have all season tires on my 2008 base MC and was wondering if I should invest in snow tires this year? I don't want to break the bank so to speak and was wondering what snow tires to get? Do you need to get the wheel with the tires or can I use the one that is already on my Mini tires. My birthday is in October so I thought that would be a nice gift for my husband to get me (hint, hint)
If I don't get the snow tires this year how will my mini handle in the winter months?
I was hoping we'd get to see y'all at the RC rally this weekend, but I have a department picinic that I'm kind of obligated to :(
We went with snows on dedicated rims for our Mini last winter. I ordered them from TireRack.com, and got Blizzak Revo's mounted on nice aluminum rims for $625 shipped (which I'm now trying to sell since Fletcher is gone) and ready to toss right on the car. You could just get the tires and get them mounted on the rims each season, but we figured that the dedicated rims would pay for themselves in about 2 seasons (I think we were quoted $15/tire for mounting and balancing, figured that had to be done at the start of the winter and again in the spring...it adds up). Check out the site and see what you can find...you might also find links to some special deals over on NorthAmericanMotoring...I think that there is a TireRack sales guy over there that helps put together packages and discounts.
As for the performance in the winter, I was VERY pleased with the snow handling with the snow tires...I never bothered trying with the all seasons. But the only conditions I struggled with were deep slop on the roads, but everyone was struggling that day. Other than that, I could get right past SUVs and other cars without issue.
I used the all weather tires that came on Kassy, and maybe once last winter I had wished that I purchased some dedicated snow tires. The Mini handles fine as is. If I keep Kassy until this winter, I will end up keeping her permanently, and probably invest in a set of dedicated rims and snow tires.
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Derek - '07 Mellow Yellow Cooper manual - "Cassy" - Sold
MJB, Do as Cfilkins says! You can't go wrong with the Blizzaks or Dunlop snow tires. Call Tire Rack, they are most helpful on the phone, and don't forget to ask if there are any sales on right now on winter tires for the Cooper. I lucked out, and got the wheels for something like $15 apiece, simply because they were on sale! You will have so much more peace of mind with dedicated snows on the car, no matter what the situation. My 2002 is unstoppable in the snow with the Dunlop M3's. I drive the car almost exclusively in the winter! Summer is for motorcycles. You might see me in it if it's raining hard too. You will NEVER regret having purchased real snow tires, no matter what they cost! The tire rack advisors will guide you to a satisfactory deal, I'm sure! Happy motoring! Bill aka "Cogman"
Thanks everyone for your input. I was on Tire Rack not sure yet what I am going to do, we still have some time.
Chris do you still have your snow tires and rims for sale? If you do would they fit on my 2008 Mini Cooper? If you do how much did you want for them?
It is a busy weekend for me with my husband's RC rally. I will be working both days between the food tent and the 50/50 raffle. I took ZIGGY to my husband's meeting lastnight and that is the first time they saw the MINI and they all seemed to like him, how could you not.
I have some Blizarks that i used for 1 winter, don;t recall how many miles on them, but they;re in pritty good condition...They're in Jersey though,....let me know and maybe we could figure something out
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Venno
DS w/DS '06MCS-17%/Alta CAI/Detroit Bypass Valve/Alta Air Diverter/Schroth Rcng Hrnss/CF Uber Scoop/Alta 19mm Sway Bar/Irlnd Cmbr Plt/Team Dynamics ProRace 1 17" Anthracite Rims with Jerzee Plts and a Gray-Scale Czech roof flag
Thanks Venno let me know how much you want for them. I will relay the message to my husband and we will take it from there. My 12 year old son asked me today what are you going to get for your birthday mom (which is in October by the way) and I told him probably snow tires. My husband doesn't think I should drive the mini in the winter but I told him there is no way I can part with my MINI for that long.
I do still have them...I paid $625 last November, and would like to get $500 for them. They're mounted and balanced and ready to go, and should bolt right on to your '08 without a problem. They look like new. Feel free to send me a PM if you're interested.
MJB - next time we see you and the hubby in person we'll all testify to how good MINI's are in the snow. My MINI is better in the snow than ANY of my previous cars.
I hate to admit it, but my last car before Bruto was a Malibu, we had snows on it and I still didn't feel super confident driving it in the winter. The MINI is a totally different story... you won't slide unless you want to.
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nicole
Bruto: 07 S PS/W, Alta 19mm Rear Sway, Einkei Wheels, Driving Lights (VIP Custom Parts bracket & Hella 500's), Alta Short Shifter, Stratmosphere coilovers, VIP Custom Parts CAI & Strut Bar
MJB - next time we see you and the hubby in person we'll all testify to how good MINI's are in the snow. My MINI is better in the snow than ANY of my previous cars.
I hate to admit it, but my last car before Bruto was a Malibu, we had snows on it and I still didn't feel super confident driving it in the winter. The MINI is a totally different story... you won't slide unless you want to.
My last car was a Chevy Cavalier and I have more confidence in the MINI then I do in the Chevy.
I did for last winter and they were really wonderful. This winter I'm going to give it a try with the OEM run flats, only because the snows I had are now too big to fit under the car after lowering the car for [even better] handling.
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nicole
Bruto: 07 S PS/W, Alta 19mm Rear Sway, Einkei Wheels, Driving Lights (VIP Custom Parts bracket & Hella 500's), Alta Short Shifter, Stratmosphere coilovers, VIP Custom Parts CAI & Strut Bar
My husband told me lastnight it is not like I will have to drive a long distance in the winter it will be basically just taking our son to school and back and that is like only a 15 minute drive from where we live. He said we will try the all season that the MINI came with. I love my MINI and I could not bear to take him off the road.
MJB, when i get back to the states, I'll take some pics of the tires and send them to you (july 31 i get back) Then we can figure out a price but it won't be much. Also I gotta run it by my sister since she is the primary driver now that Im in CZ.
I had snows on my MINI for my 5 am 35 min commutes from Camillus to Skaneateles Falls; and They were GREAT! Most of the time I'd be driving on the roads just before the snow plows would clear them and I always had very good control. One time I found a snow plow slid off the road on a curve and was in a ditch, the driver was okay and was calling someone, but me and my MINI continued on at a decent speed without a problem. I've even arrived at work during blizards in my MINI only to find i was the only one there due to the weather. In Short MINIs are great in the snow with Snow Tires.
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Venno
DS w/DS '06MCS-17%/Alta CAI/Detroit Bypass Valve/Alta Air Diverter/Schroth Rcng Hrnss/CF Uber Scoop/Alta 19mm Sway Bar/Irlnd Cmbr Plt/Team Dynamics ProRace 1 17" Anthracite Rims with Jerzee Plts and a Gray-Scale Czech roof flag
MJB, when i get back to the states, I'll take some pics of the tires and send them to you (july 31 i get back) Then we can figure out a price but it won't be much. Also I gotta run it by my sister since she is the primary driver now that Im in CZ.
I had snows on my MINI for my 5 am 35 min commutes from Camillus to Skaneateles Falls; and They were GREAT! Most of the time I'd be driving on the roads just before the snow plows would clear them and I always had very good control. One time I found a snow plow slid off the road on a curve and was in a ditch, the driver was okay and was calling someone, but me and my MINI continued on at a decent speed without a problem. I've even arrived at work during blizards in my MINI only to find i was the only one there due to the weather. In Short MINIs are great in the snow with Snow Tires.
Thanks Venno, my email address is listed on my page so just send all the information, pictures and etc... I will be in the hospital on the 29th for some tests and was told that afterwards I will be quite out of it for a couple of days, so if I don't get back to you right away you will now why.
