Hey guys, it's been a few months since I posted. I've been loving the new F56 since I took delivery in June. I live in Raleigh, NC and am considering taking it home to NY for Christmas but am concerned about the performance tires in the snow and ice (vs. all-season tires). I'm considering getting some all weather tires specifically for the trip to make it a bit safer, but before I do I wondered if anyone has any feedback about the performance/summer tires in the snow and whether you'd recommend getting something more geared for winter weather or if it's not necessary.

Thanks!

 

Don't know how it is on the F56, but I had absolutely no traction last winter in the snow on the R55 in Boston. I don't even have Sport Tires, I have the Michelin AS/3 all-season tires. I learned pretty quickly that all-seasons are useless in snow.
That said, I lasted the whole nasty last winter. Just had to wait until roads were cleared or drive really slow. Who knows if it will snow over Christmas, and how quickly they clean the roads.
I'm picking up a set of winter wheels/tires this weekend off the forum.

 

Summer tires are not designed to be driven in freezing weather let alone on snow or ice. Youtube is full of demonstrations of summer vs. winter tires.

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...s+winter+tires

 

what exactly are "sport" tires?

 

Thanks, good advice. Any favorites on the winter tires that anyone has used?

 

I'm a big proponent of using winter tires, but if you just need them for one trip back home to NY, does it make more sense to just fly up and rent a car or have someone pick you up?

 

Yeah I mean that's a great point, and that's the debate I'm having with myself right now. I like driving to be able to take gifts etc. back with me; a set of tires will be like $650-800 but I can keep them and use them on subsequent trips. There's a number of reasons I personally don't like to fly during the holidays (delays, ticket price vs. driving, etc.). I've done both and driving does narrowly edge out flying at least in my mind.

I've considered just renting a car too, but for a little more I can just get some tires, so at the moment that's sort of the way I'm leaning, but haven't fully decided. Another option I'm thinking over is just getting some all-season tires that i could use all year round, I'm not sure how those would compare to dedicated winter tires.

 

All I ran on my R56 and now my F56 are high performance all season tires. No problems with winter driving, but then again if we have any measurable snow I drive the Suburban. If you're a member of the Tarheel Mini Motoring Club you could possibly borrow someones winter set for the trip.

 

Do not use summer performance tires on snow or ice unless you're asking for something bad to happen. I've had good luck with all season tires but nothing beats a true winter tire for snow and ice.

 

I've used both on various Minis and other front wheel drive cars. I live in Toronto. Depending on the year the snow can get pretty bad. You can normally "get by" with all seasons but proper winter tires are the way to go. These cars being low is more of a problem on unploughed streets. Even snow tires won't help you you.
With AS there is always a compromise....

 

The first question is - where in upstate NY are you going? There is a big difference between going to Albany vs Watertown.

That said, while snow tires are the best option, it likely doesn't make sense to by a set just for the drive up for the holidays. I have run all seasons for many years on both of our Minis, including taking mine to ski areas in snow storms. While I have snows now, I would not heasitate to put a set of Continental DWS all seasons on and drive around here in the winter (I'm in the Albany area).

I would not expect a rental around here to come with snow tires. Even the rental SUVs around here have all season tires.

All the people I know who have tried to run performance tires in this area have had problems with the first snow flake to hit the ground. I have noticed a big loss of grip with them below 40 deg. So, that would be a highly suggested "no".

Hope this helps
Happy holidays

 

there are definitely several decent all season alternatives that do ok in the snow right now, but if you're going to be doing a lot of winter driving (which it doesn't sound like you'll be doing) definitely get winters or a rental car

 

I'll be going to the Rochester area. Sounds like for what I'll use them for a good set of all seasons would serve me better than winter tires. And yeah, a rental likely would just have all season tires come to think of it.

Thanks for all the input though everyone - I think I just needed a nudge in the right direction.

 

I highly recommend, if you can afford it, a separate set of tires for summer and winter driving. Personally, I don't necessarily like all seasons. They do alright, but they've never done as well as a good set of true snow tires. I've done all season mountain driving and snow tire mountain driving. Snow tires have triumphed every time. I love love love Blizzak snow tires, but some will say they don't like how they are on the dry. I, personally, have had no problems and complaints about the tire. Check out this snow tire comparison on tire rack HERE. It has a lot of useful information.

 

You will hear many different opinions when comes to our car shoes and winter driving. Yet, a very uniform opinion is probably that driving summer tires in winter conditions is inviting disaster. Opinions on all-seasons differ. I would personally call them 3-season tires: they may be a reasonable compromise for spring, summer and fall. They do however have a clear performance and I would also argue safety shortfall when it comes to very low temperatures. For low temperatures, nothing can really replace winter tires. I personally drive Conti Extreme Contact DWS "all" seasons during spring, summer and fall, and am now running Conti Winter Contact T810s studless in the winter. I live in Alaska, and anything but winter tires would be crazy. The 810s are not necessarily the best, but are a good solid winter performer and I got a great deal on them (at the Anchorage MINI dealer surprisingly).

I should add that I drive a 2013 R56s. It has great traction control and I would assume the F56 TC is at least as good.

 

Get a set of winter wheels in the forsale section or on craigslist etc. I picked up a set used 1000 miles, wheels+tires for my wife a few nights ago $350.

 

The Rochester area is in between the two major snow belt areas in NY. You will probably have to drive through Syacuse to get to Rochester and Syacuse is on the edge of the eastern snow belt. For December, it is a gamble as to whether you have snow there or not. Sorry, I know that doesn't help much. If it was me, I would be comfortable with a set of new all seasons and travel plans that are a bit flexible. They do really well at clearing snow in that area and you would not have to wait long before the roads are drivable with those tires.

 

There are a couple of listings in upstate new york in the for sale section where you can get rims + tires for about 400.
For a short trip, once, you'll probably be okay with All-seasons. I lasted last season's horrible winter here. Just don't drive when the streets aren't plowed, which you shouldn't do anyway.

 

I also say get a set of Blizzaks if you're at all concerned. Those things are like tracks. Well worth the investment for the safety and peace of mind.

 

It's a cold night and there is some soft snow. You are hitting the brakes and the car is just sliding....in that split second you wish you had spent the $1000 on a set of top quality snow tires. In Toronto you pay less insurance if you run summer and winter tires...guess why....getting your car fixed and paying extra insurance because you made a claim...cheaper to get a big speeding ticket!

 

Cute. Yeah, you're right. You're all making great points. I'm going to see about a set of used snow tires first and if that doesn't work I'll just bite the bullet and get a set of snow tires. I can use them for a few years, it makes sense.

 

I've use the Blizzaks and Michelin X-ice Xi3, older Michelin snows, and Yokohama IceGuard
tires over the years. The Blizzaks are the best in snow and ice, but somewhat uninspiring
on dry roads. The older Michelin and Yokos are almost as good in the snow, and
also similar to the Blizzaks on dry. The Michelin X-ice Xi3 tires that I have on now
are also almost as good as the Blizzaks in the snow and ice, but are more responsive
in non-snow conditions than the others, so I'm pretty happy with them in York, PA,
where we have a bit of snow, sometimes a lot, but long gaps between snow most winters.

 

With the amount of snow you get in Raleigh I couldn't justify the cost of another set of tires and wheels. I drove my R56 in every type of weather you can think of (short of a blizzard) and the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical all season tires worked great for me. Everything from the Dragon in May to driving from my girlfriends in Asheville (Dragon country) In Snow and sleet all the way to Greensboro where it changed to rain for the rest of the trip. I had the same tires installed on my F56 within a week and stuck the runflats in my storage building.

 

since nobody took up my question, i'm assuming you refer to the stock tires that came on your "S" model. They are most likely already all seasons. Bend down and read off the model designation and you might get some more informed opinions.

 

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