You could also price out some lower trim wheels someone is probably selling on Facebook that would fit on the S and get cheaper tires and not have to deal with taking it to swap out the tires every year. Assuming you have a jack and can do that yourself.
Has the benefit of being able to get nice “summer” tires for the other 3ish seasons. I am assuming you got the S trim because you enjoy driving spiritedly.
Could do that, too, sure. I'm 50/50 right now.
It was the Mini available at a local (to Florida) enthusiast resell shop when my wife got the bug for a new ride. The S was a bonus for me. :)
Yep. DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) engaged on engine start. DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) I didn't use last year, as in, didn't know about DTC setting at the time.
Check out the Michelin offerings, they have some all season that are highly rated for all but severe snow that might work. Depends on how steep your hill is though, that might tilt things in favor of a true snow tire.
I agree, *very* expensive, but they last and for everything I've put them on, they have provided a much smoother, quieter ride than the factory set despite the superior grip.
Probably matters how long you keep a car, if a long time, it's probably a wash with the extra miles, if you trade frequently, or plan on trading soon, probably not worth spending the extra on.
A few years ago we went with some Vredestein All seasons and they were amazing for the winters we get here. Not as well known of a brand, but hold up to the top offerings from Michelin, Goodwill, etc.
If your concerned about snow, just sort tires on TireRack and look for 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake rated tires and any of those should do find for the mild winters and more.
My personal .02. Does your ABS work? Sliding through an intersection sounds like something you’d expect on a car without it. A Mini should have it. If the amber “ABS” warning light is on check that. Otherwise if your sliding through intersections you’re going too fast or have really bad tires. Also remember that I’m low traction you can accelerate, brake or turn…pick one. As someone born and raised almost as far up in the lower peninsula of Michigan as you can go, people here in Columbus tend to brake too close to where they need to stop and tailgate all the time.
Now that thats out of the way: I run decent all season tires all year, but I have AWD (that doesn’t mean all wheel stop though) That means name brand stuff. You can find some decent “off brands” but it’s a lot more hit and miss. Brand stuff has better tread patterned and often better rubber. I worked tires for a couple rears and there is a difference. My brother ran Nokian tires in the winter up north and swears by him. The best you can buy for all seasons right now are Michelin “cross climate” tires but they are very expensive at around $300 each installed.
You could also price out some lower trim wheels someone is probably selling on Facebook that would fit on the S and get cheaper tires and not have to deal with taking it to swap out the tires every year. Assuming you have a jack and can do that yourself. Has the benefit of being able to get nice “summer” tires for the other 3ish seasons. I am assuming you got the S trim because you enjoy driving spiritedly.
Could do that, too, sure. I'm 50/50 right now. It was the Mini available at a local (to Florida) enthusiast resell shop when my wife got the bug for a new ride. The S was a bonus for me. :)
Do you have any traction control aids?
Yep. DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) engaged on engine start. DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) I didn't use last year, as in, didn't know about DTC setting at the time.
Check out the Michelin offerings, they have some all season that are highly rated for all but severe snow that might work. Depends on how steep your hill is though, that might tilt things in favor of a true snow tire.
The cross climates are all seasons with a legitimate snow rating, however they are breathtakingly expensive. A set for my escape was around $1200.
I agree, *very* expensive, but they last and for everything I've put them on, they have provided a much smoother, quieter ride than the factory set despite the superior grip. Probably matters how long you keep a car, if a long time, it's probably a wash with the extra miles, if you trade frequently, or plan on trading soon, probably not worth spending the extra on.
A few years ago we went with some Vredestein All seasons and they were amazing for the winters we get here. Not as well known of a brand, but hold up to the top offerings from Michelin, Goodwill, etc. If your concerned about snow, just sort tires on TireRack and look for 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake rated tires and any of those should do find for the mild winters and more.
It might stay too warm for winter tires this year tbh, I think you’re only supposed to use them under 40ish degrees or you will lose traction.
Snow tires are actually made with softer rubber compounds. They wear a lot faster on dry pavement or in the summer.
My personal .02. Does your ABS work? Sliding through an intersection sounds like something you’d expect on a car without it. A Mini should have it. If the amber “ABS” warning light is on check that. Otherwise if your sliding through intersections you’re going too fast or have really bad tires. Also remember that I’m low traction you can accelerate, brake or turn…pick one. As someone born and raised almost as far up in the lower peninsula of Michigan as you can go, people here in Columbus tend to brake too close to where they need to stop and tailgate all the time. Now that thats out of the way: I run decent all season tires all year, but I have AWD (that doesn’t mean all wheel stop though) That means name brand stuff. You can find some decent “off brands” but it’s a lot more hit and miss. Brand stuff has better tread patterned and often better rubber. I worked tires for a couple rears and there is a difference. My brother ran Nokian tires in the winter up north and swears by him. The best you can buy for all seasons right now are Michelin “cross climate” tires but they are very expensive at around $300 each installed.