Snow/Ice Winter Tyres recommendations (Mini Cooper R56)

MoRT489 · 13 Sep 2011 at 08:00

Hi guys,

I'm getting a Mini Cooper S end of November which is the beginning of the friggin freezing winter here in Moscow. Anyone got recommendations for studded winter tyres? I'll be driving on slush, deep snow, packed snow, ice, tarmac (ha dream on!).

I've read good things about the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 but I can only find the 5s here. I assume there isn't much difference other than the 7s being a newer model. These come to approx £150 per tyre, is this extreme overkill?

Will be using 17" x7" R112 Mini wheels, not sure what size tyre I need...

Thanks in advance.

MoRT489 · 13 Sep 2011 at 08:14

lol, i know i know but there are plenty of people on these forums from US, eastern europe and northern most reaches of scotland so I'm sure there is some experience here

+ if anyone in the UK did buy them they'd be a snow fanatic and therefore possibly a good person to hear from

MoRT489 · 13 Sep 2011 at 11:50

I think the tyre fitting is 205/45/17 but it seems run flats in this size are hard to find.

MoRT489 · 14 Sep 2011 at 16:36

A Mini salon in moscow just quoted me £1,457 for a set of Nokian HKPL 7 RSC :eek:

wtf!!

MoRT489 · 14 Sep 2011 at 17:37

All good points. Wonder if I should get some 16" alloys for winter use (cant really bring myself to stick ugly steelies on there considering the winter here lasts 6 months).

Do tyre sizes have to match exactly - i.e. can a 205/55/17 fit where the normal tyre would be 205/45/17? I understand it's the ration that's different so does it just mean it will be a taller tyre so depends entirely on whether it fits in the wheel arch rather than on the rim? Might need to start a separate thread about that!

MoRT489 · 15 Sep 2011 at 07:54

I can guarantee at least 4 months of snow here and temperatures consistently at -5*C and below, so i've no concern that they will get well used

. Found the same nokian 7s from a tyre dealer at half the price quoted by the mini dealer...perhaps the mini dealer meant with alloys :confused:

(I can hope).

MoRT489 · 15 Sep 2011 at 13:20

Nope from England, but these seem to be their list prices but found out that £1,457 was including a standard 16" alloy so not quite as bad as previoulsy thought. German cars are a rip off when it comes to ording optional extras anyway :mad: