24 replies to this topic

[samsfern]

If the roads are bad enough to need snow chains, surely you just stay at home?

not if you have to get to work!! Had a look at the socks, chains seem cheaper!!! Surprises me.

nor if you want to venture to the alps in january

[pikey7]

well why didn't you say so!?

In that case, you'll need chains... they are a legal requirement to be carried in some countries like Switzerland... even if you don't use em.

[Cooperman]

Knobbly tyres are now very difficult to get for a Mini. Colway are out of business and have been for several years. Maxsport may do a 145 section x 12".
With regard to snow chains, I have driven with them on a Mini many years ago. They are speed restricted as if you go above about 30 mph they can break and flail around under the wheel arches which auses a lot of damage. As soon as you get to a cleared, salted road you have to stop and remove them. Really they are not much use and studded tyres are better so long as local C & U regs allow them

[phil_clubman]

Them snow socks look a good idea but they dont have any 175,50,13's.

[Dolly 89]

when it was really snowy last year i just kept my alloys and normal tyres on the where 12" x 6" and where totally fine on untreated roads no problems at all you just need to drive to the conditions but if you go somewhere that it is a legal requirement that you have them just get some but i would be surprised if you needed them after how much better the mini seems than anything else i have ever driven in the snow

[mike_mini_mad]

Just drive it like youre in the Monte rally

[bobs]

Another +1 for Mud and Snow tyres, I've used them and they're alright, until the tread gets impacted with snow, then they're just like any other tyre in the snow...

Just drive carefully, but agreed a Mini in the snow, with thinner tyres is a dream to drive. I got caught in the snow a few years back driving home from Norfolk to Bristol. Norfolk is flat for those who haven't been and visibility was OK, I was overtaking the other few "cars" who really weren't up to the long sweeping bends with no traction at speed. Best driving experince I've had in a while.

One thing, when you do stop for a leak in a carpark in the snow, if you are going to do handbrake turns in the fresh snow, do it after you've relived yourself, or you have to stand there with the two sets of evidence marked out in different coloured tracks, when the police crawl by...

[Cooperman]

I've been doing a search for Mini snow tyres and the only ones I can find, so far, are Toro Snowprox S930 in 145/80 x 12. The rolling radius is 10.56" compared to 9.8" (approx) for a 165/60x 12, so as the pressures will be slightly less it will only be about 5% greater, which is neither here nor there. On narrow steel wheels they should be absolutely ideal for M & S conditions. They are priced at c.£30 each inc VAT, so a fair price as well.

Edited to add:

Demon Tweeks Ltd. list the Maxsport RB1 in 145/70 x 12 at £57 + VAT. This is a really good M & S tyre and I've used them in 175/65 x 14 on my Rover rally car in the forests. The width is right at 145 and performance should be good on a 4.5" x 12" dia Mini wheel. A Maxsport Hakka at 145/80 x 10" is also listed, but this really is just a snow tyre on road use (ideal for grass-tracking though).

Edited by Cooperman, 11 October 2010 - 02:07 PM.

[minisilverbullet]

I've been doing a search for Mini snow tyres and the only ones I can find, so far, are Toro Snowprox S930 in 145/80 x 12. The rolling radius is 10.56" compared to 9.8" (approx) for a 165/60x 12, so as the pressures will be slightly less it will only be about 5% greater, which is neither here nor there. On narrow steel wheels they should be absolutely ideal for M & S conditions. They are priced at c.£30 each inc VAT, so a fair price as well.

Edited to add:

Demon Tweeks Ltd. list the Maxsport RB1 in 145/70 x 12 at £57 + VAT. This is a really good M & S tyre and I've used them in 175/65 x 14 on my Rover rally car in the forests. The width is right at 145 and performance should be good on a 4.5" x 12" dia Mini wheel. A Maxsport Hakka at 145/80 x 10" is also listed, but this really is just a snow tyre on road use (ideal for grass-tracking though).

Another "soft core" option http://www.minisport...5_70R1269Q.html

a good tyre! some people here even use these all year round

[Cooperman]

I've been doing a search for Mini snow tyres and the only ones I can find, so far, are Toro Snowprox S930 in 145/80 x 12. The rolling radius is 10.56" compared to 9.8" (approx) for a 165/60x 12, so as the pressures will be slightly less it will only be about 5% greater, which is neither here nor there. On narrow steel wheels they should be absolutely ideal for M & S conditions. They are priced at c.£30 each inc VAT, so a fair price as well.

Edited to add:

Demon Tweeks Ltd. list the Maxsport RB1 in 145/70 x 12 at £57 + VAT. This is a really good M & S tyre and I've used them in 175/65 x 14 on my Rover rally car in the forests. The width is right at 145 and performance should be good on a 4.5" x 12" dia Mini wheel. A Maxsport Hakka at 145/80 x 10" is also listed, but this really is just a snow tyre on road use (ideal for grass-tracking though).

Another "soft core" option http://www.minisport...5_70R1269Q.html

a good tyre! some people here even use these all year round

Those look very good for general winter driving. They are the right width at 145 for slippy roads. The 165 section is often too wide to give the ideal tyre contact pressure on slippy surfaces and as for the 175/50 on a Mini they are very poor except in the dry on really good tarmac as the Mini is so light weight. Unfortunately it does sometimes rain and get muddy in the U.K.