Tires (Summer/Winter/All-Season)

It looks like Tire Rack now has the OEM Hankooks in stock, in the non-runflat variety, is this new or have I not paid attention? I could swear they only had the runflats before.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hankook&tireModel=Ventus+S1+evo3&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=045WR7K127XL&tab=Sizes

 

Ouch that’s dealership pricing. I’d probably seek an alternative.

 

I believe you are correct, I don't remember seeing our tires on TireRack.

However, for small-wheeled SE owners, TireRack still doesn't sell the 195/55R16 87W Ventus Prime 3 non-runflats. I found them listed at Walmart for $172 and at Sears for an eye-watering $690/tire (marked down from $793). Discount Tire doesn't list them.

 

36-13-6-889-175 is the correct number. Your trepidation about it being associated with the Power Spoke wheel (which has them integrated with the removable panel that covers the lug bolts) is well-founded. However, that's just an erroneous illustration courtesy of BMW/MINI.

If it helps, I found this picture:

 

Ok I’ll get around to ordering them when the days get shorter. Thanks!

 

Found the Goodyears on American tire Depot
https://americantiredepot.com/tires-goodyear-eagle-f1-asymmetric-3-205-45r17-783152388.html

 

Hi,
New to this group. Great information. Live in the northeast where at times go below 15 degrees. And it's icy and snowy several times a month. So, i know the MiniSE comes with summer tires. So, is it recommended to change the tires to Winter tires in October and late february the following year change back to summer tires? Or just go with all season. Has Mini USA provided a recommendation?
Thank you all for your guidance.

 

Welcome to the forum! Some people (me) love the summer performance tires MINI chose. Not only are they reasonably sticky, but MINI also chose them for the greatest mileage per charge (not the greatest longevity--can't have everything). You will likely sacrifice range if you go with all-season tires.

I have three sets of wheels/tires for my SE: the OEM Power Spoke rims I put on just one day a year--I'm afraid of curbing them, so they're just for show, a set of MINI Loop Spoke rims with Hankook summer performance tires, and a second set of Loop Spoke rims with Michelin winter tires.

Note that the MINI Cooper SE is the only MINI Cooper that doesn't come with run-flat tires. I'm glad of that because I don't like the ride of run-flat tires.

 

I try to change to winter tires in mid-November, and then back to summer tires in March or April. One has to be flexible, 'cause the weather certainly is. I used to do it myself, but my floor jack won't fit under the car, and there must have been a chip shortage on the formerly included scissors jack.

 

I use winter tires from the middle of October until the end of April. That being said, I've seen snow in every single month of the year.

If efficiency is a non-issue, you could have a 3.5 season Michelin CrossClimate 2 wheels & tires set and a separate set for summer performance wheels & tires.

 

Thank you for your quick response.

 

Thank you for your quick response. Very Helpful.

 

Another benefit of winter tires is they extend the life of the summer tires. However, during the months I'm driving on my winter tires, I'm pining for the day I can again be cranking around corners on the summer tires.

 

Thank you. Very Helpful

 

My personal opinion is that although all-seasons are continually improving, using them still means you are compromised in all seasons, when compared to running summer and winter tires. However, I've only lived in a climate - similar to what you describe - cold enough for winter tires for the last 6 years - so I will always use winters, given my lack of experience. As with our other cars, I'll source winter tires on another set of wheels and just swap them. The way I look at it, it gives me the best chance to enjoy the maximum Mini-ness available in each season.

 

Winter tires that stop you just a few inches shorter in a panic stop could save you money and time in the body shop; likely saving more money than the cost buying and seasonally changing the tires. There's a big ornamental rock at the entrance to my local shopping center and one winter in the slush I found myself sliding towards that rock--I credit my winter tires for gaining traction at the last second and allowing me to turn away from a nasty collision.

 

Although a few days old, TFLEV redid their Mini Cooper SE highway range test with OEM summer Hankook and power spoke wheels. More range than the CrossClimate 2 as expected.

 

Spoiler alert

The CrossClimate 2s on non-aero aftermarket rims took them 116.2 miles before the battery was completely discharged. On the OEM Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 tires and Power Spoke rims and driving at 60 mph and 70 mph until 3% of the charge remained: