I drive my MINI year round and on the track in the summer. Who else drives theirs in the winter and what tires do you guys use in the winter?
I use Dunlop Graspic DS3's on 16" sport edition wheels. As I have a JCW MINI I have vitrually no clearance in the front between the brake caliper and the wheel, est about 2-3mm but it has worked out well so far.
I'm just curious what everyone else is using/doing.
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"If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always got."
07 MCS - running Michelin Alpin snows on 16" rims. After last year I would have to say these are a decent mild winter snow tire. Good on the dry roads, decent on slippery and dry snow covered roads. These things fail when the snow gets wet and packs up in the treads.
I would not buy them again for a winter driver again.
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2007 MCS Laser Blue 2010, 2008 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini First Place
2009 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini Second Place BMW CCA Driving Instructor/Engine Mechanic/Speech Recognition Specialist
You fit 16" wheels over the brembos!?!? I use Pirelli Sottozeros and haven't had a single issue yet. I'm usually the one passing the big SUVs on the highway in the blizzards.
You fit 16" wheels over the brembos!?!? I use Pirelli Sottozeros and haven't had a single issue yet. I'm usually the one passing the big SUVs on the highway in the blizzards.
I posted the video I sent to a friend after putting the wheels on. Its kind of goofy but it shows how close it is.
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"If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always got."
The MCS did not get the Brembos in 07 so the 16" rims fit with some room. I've even mounted some ultra-light 15" race rims on the car and they clear the calipers nicely. Not by much but that's all you need, enough clearance to allow the rim to flex a little under cornering forces. Expect to see the 15" rims with slicks at some point this summer. That's gonna be awesome
What rims fit all depends on the barrel size. That's the interior opening where the rotor and caliper set. That's influenced by the thickness of the casting and how the rim was designed. Bad design and a 17" rim might not fit an R56. Have some fun next time you are shopping rims. Ask the salesperson what the barrel diameter is and watch the confusion.
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2007 MCS Laser Blue 2010, 2008 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini First Place
2009 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini Second Place BMW CCA Driving Instructor/Engine Mechanic/Speech Recognition Specialist
I drive my 08 S all winter, this is the second year of doing that. Before I drove the Mini in the winter I drove an 02 Miata all year. yep. It handled great and we had a lot more snow then too.
I have some horrible "tires for life" from a local dealer that came with the car whenI boght it used. 15k miles later and the fronts were nearly shot, I rotated them and got some traction back, but not much. I think they are Hankooks or some such nonsense.
I picked up a set of wheels with two new runflats with two bad ones too (sidewall damage) a shame as the tread is new. Thry are winter tires and I was curious to test them this year, but no winter really.
I think these cheap tires are the reason why I constantly an getting false alerts for TPM system. every cold am I get the (!) alert for a few miles. I reset and check everything, but no problems.
I have stock brakes .
I did have an issue where I stripped the wheel bolts heads. I figured out that they extended out a few threads beyond the back of the hub/caliper and rusted (rear wheels). it was either that or they were overtightened or the problem where the aluminum corroded against the steel and caused them to lock up. it sucked a little
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2008 Mini Cooper S - Mello Yellow /
1973 Porsche 911T Targa - Light Yellow /
I equivocate therefore I might be
I've been looking for good sets of tires that I could use for winter. Most of the time I stick with Goodyear but I'm satisfied with Toyo or Nitto tires based on the price value and performance.