Tires (Summer/Winter/All-Season)

[F14Scott]

The final tire came in and tested at 7 lbs. of drag, bringing the four tires to 5/5/5/7. Now mounted, they fixed the right pull; Jessie is tracking straight and level.

Other than the pull being fixed, I can't detect the lack of drag in my driving, and with the season changing to colder, I don't know if I'll be able to accurately compare efficiency gains. But, it's nice when baby gets new shoes, even after only 2,000 miles!

 

[Puppethead]

Finally got my snow tires mounted: Electric Revolites (spectre grey) with Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 tires. Just in the nick of time, a big snow followed by arctic air is on tap for tomorrow.

It was quite the wait for these wheels (shipped from Germany), and neither I nor the dealer got word on their progress until they actually arrived at the dealer. Also, it turns out the center caps from the Power Spoke are different from the ones for the Electric Revolites, and don't fit. Luckily I was able to get the right center caps within a day.

I also almost ordered the center caps through Seattle MINI, who were very nice to deal with on the phone, and they have a great parts web page you can order from: https://parts.seattlemini.com/MINI_2021_Cooper-SE.html

Summer wheels (ignore the dusting of snow)

Winter wheels (snow is coming)

 

[insightman]

Also, it turns out the center caps from the Power Spoke are different from the ones for the Electric Revolites, and don't fit.

I'm astounded that MINI doesn't ensure all their rims can use the same center caps! What keeps the standard SE center caps from working? This photo of the Electric Revolite rim in the Visual Order Guide shows the same MINI Cooper SE center cap used on the other rims.

The used 16" Loop Spoke rims I bought on ebay take the same center caps as my 17" Power Spoke rims. How does one specify the special center caps for the Revolite rims (and other rims?)? Is there a size specification, a type (eg. "type 2" or "type small") specification, or just "center caps for Electric Revolite, ????, ????, and ???? rims?"

I can't wait to read your report on how great those Hakkapeliitta do in the snow. We've had them on our Clarity Plug-In Hybrid since 2017 and they're great (of course, noisier than the "all-weather" OEM tires).

When the first snow fell here, I got to test out the snow-worthiness of the Michelin X-Ice winter tires I put on the Loop Spoke rims. The snow wasn't deep enough for a good test, but I got to experience both the SE's magic wheel-spin control and the traction the tires provided for cornering and braking. The first thing I did after leaving our driveway was floor the accelerator. My SE just crept forward--it was such an alien sensation--as if I was driving a car with a sewing-machine motor instead of a 181-hp beast. Then I came to a dry patch in the road and the car shot forward the way I'm used to. Perhaps other cars can do this, too, but no car I've ever driven before.

When I got to the end of my block, I cranked the wheel hard and for the first time got to hang the MINI's rear-end out in a turn. As I continued hooning around my neighborhood, I decided the Michelins will do well when the real snow comes. Perhaps the Michelins won't provide as much traction in the snow as the Hakkapeliitta tires on our Clarity, but I chose the Michelins because the Clarity forum members reported they're quieter. They make sort of a swishing noise.

 

[Puppethead]

This photo of the Electric Revolite rim in the Visual Order Guide shows the same MINI Cooper SE center cap used on the other rims.

Very curious. I kind of like the all-yellow caps (with white "MINI") I ended up with, distinct from the black/yellow. Now that I compare the two I think I got the "wrong" ones, since they were not "energetic yellow" but a different color. Still very happy with them and they look like a match with the other yellow accents.

I looked through the parts portal at Seattle MINI and they show the same caps part number fits both Power Spoke and Electric Revolite wheels. Maybe my service department was mistaken?

 

[insightman]

I looked through the parts portal at Seattle MINI and they show the same caps part number fits both Power Spoke and Electric Revolite wheels. Maybe my service department was mistaken?

Is this the first set of MINI wheels your service department has sold? Doubtful. I wonder what they'd say about the photo and the parts list info?

I thought the caps might be tough to remove and switch between wheels, but I found out I was wrong when I took my car to Discount Tire to get my winter tires mounted. The tech just dropped the wheel onto the rod in the center of the tire-changing machine and then caught the caps as they popped into the air. It was fun to stay in the car this time and watch the whole process. Nothing like making sausage or politics.

 

[Puppethead]

First snow with the SE was one of the worst blizzards we've had in years, and I had to drive 40 miles! Rain first, which froze quickly and then over 5" of snow so far, but winds over 40 mph so some complete white-out conditions. Is there such a thing as negative visibility?

I had to run the defrosters full the whole time for the trip in the snow, and had a problem with ice buildup on the wipers and windshield, but still got 86 miles on one charge with 14% SOC left. The first 40 miles were this morning when temperature was above 40 ºF, when I got 4.6 mi/kWh. The final leg in the snow was only 2.9 mi/kWh.

The SE handled great. I only lost traction in a few icy spots. The Hakkapeliitta R3s are fantastic – very quiet and I can really feel contact with the road, just like with performance tires in the summer. I don't know if it's the tires or the low center of gravity or a combination, but this is easily the best car for driving in snow I've had.

 

[Puppethead]

Is this the first set of MINI wheels your service department has sold? Doubtful. I wonder what they'd say about the photo and the parts list info?

When I brought the car in they were certain the caps would easily pop off and go on the new wheels, but after mounting told me they didn't fit. I'm assuming they tried, but I'll be asking. And I'm certain this is the first time they've swapped from electric model wheels to electric model wheels, as opposed to the other styles which are regular wheels common to all the MINI Hardtop models.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

2.9 miles/kWh is fantastic in those conditions! My Bolt would have gotten more like 1.9. I guess the heat pump works really well! Plus the smaller cross-section helps in the high winds.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

 

[Puppethead]

2.9 miles/kWh is fantastic in those conditions! My Bolt would have gotten more like 1.9. I guess the heat pump works really well! Plus the smaller cross-section helps in the high winds.

I forgot to mention the outside temperature was below 20 ºF, so even at cold temperatures it seems the heat pump was effective. I did keep the cabin temperature at 68 ºF, but also running the front and rear defrosters, as well as having the A/C on for dehumidification. I did not feel a need to turn on the heated seat (I wasn't cold, my windows were).

 

[Lainey]

That's pretty good! Like you I keep ac running in the cold for humidity control. I do keep my car around 68 in the winter, but I do use seat warmers.

 

[insightman]

...running the front and rear defrosters, as well as having the A/C on for dehumidification.

I'm glad you mentioned that you turned on the A/C. In all of our Hondas the A/C comes on with the defroster whether you want it or not. I assumed MINI Coopers do that too--so far the defroster has worked to defog the windows when I needed it. However, after your post I looked up the section on defrosting the windows in the Owners Manual where it says, "If there is window condensation, switch on the air conditioning, too." I'm glad to know what to do when I encounter 20º weather, rather than start cursing at my defroster.

 

[Lainey]

Resurrecting this thread to say the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tires do indeed really suck in the snow. My dealer had thought they would slap on all-weather like they do for all their other F56 models and even thought I'd have run flat. Nope, they did not. So I didn't give enough thought into winter tires for this year. Snowed a whole bunch yesterday and today. Took my car out - 100% laughable. Now I'm stuck with the idea of do I just eventually find good tires and rims to switch out in the fall/winter and suck it up hoping with pandemic I can steal my spouse's car if needed? Or do I get Tirerack out here asap since no one locally has rims and tires for winter in stock at this moment that would work?

I could call my dealership and see if they have anything quick in stock that could be slapped on as well to keep a Mini name on the wheels. I'm not married to the idea of yellow Mini to reflect EV status.

 

[Puppethead]

You could go for cheap steelies or something. For my first set of snow wheels I went with the cheapest wheels I could find, I think $80 apiece. Still using them almost ten years later.

 

[Lainey]

To be true I am having a hard time finding things in stock. The cheap rims I found on tirerack.com were only $100. Found nothing super cheap available in stock. Just 1 or 2 super cheapies in stock. Winter tires are harder to find quickly. Lots within 5-7 days but not much right now. Not shocking as most people bought winter tires a few months ago lol

 

[insightman]

Not shocking as most people bought winter tires a few months ago lol

To prepare for Winter, I bought used Loop Spoke rims in April for my SE, which didn't arrive until nearly September. Here I am outside (thanks, COVID) the nursing-home window, showing off my newly-arrived rims to the person who introduced me to sports cars, my Dad.

Later, I found out this isn't something that happens often at the Silver Maples Retirement Neighborhood.

 

[Lainey]

To prepare for Winter, I bought used Loop Spoke rims in April for my SE, which didn't arrive until nearly September. Here I am outside (thanks, COVID) the nursing-home window, showing off my newly-arrived rims to the person who introduced me to sports cars, my Dad.

Later, I found out this isn't something that happens often at the Silver Maples Retirement Neighborhood.

Oh I love this! So wonderful you could show them off like that!

I'll start my look soon for rims likely soonish and prepare better for next year. I am waiting to see what rims come out for the 2022s. Though I saw the Loop Spokes in black and they do look nice!

For now I plan on driving our Civic around until the roads are clear.

 

[Brooks Rogers]

I ordered the Signature standard wheels in black (Revolite Spoke (16", 1NR)?) as my icon shows from the image in the Mini mygarage page. I see now only the silver wheels are available in Signature trim when building on the Miniusa site. Wonder if they are faulty, BMW ran out of them or they are being mean since black wheels are the fad of the moment.

 

[Lainey]

More of an FYI - the wheels are graphite gray and not true black. I would assume a stock issue though. I can find the silver ones form the clubman still available on MINI's site as a cold weather package.

 

[Puppethead]

The silver Revolites are not the same as the spectre grey Electric Revolites. This I know because I had a heck of a time ordering the Electric Revolites for my snow wheels.

Whoa, I found a complete Electric Revolite winter wheel at the German MINI site. And with the correct center cap! Why aren't these offered in the US?

 

[Lainey]

The silver Revolites are not the same as the spectre grey Electric Revolites. This I know because I had a heck of a time ordering the Electric Revolites for my snow wheels.

Whoa, I found a complete Electric Revolite winter wheel at the German MINI site. And with the correct center cap! Why aren't these offered in the US?

Stating simply that I don't think the style has issues in terms of being faulty, not that they are identical.