[wjones14]

Originally Posted by MadOzodi

Finally got the winter tires (215/45-18 Michelin Xi3s) spooned on. Yes, "square" tires on stock, staggered rims look funny...but they work!

I was just forced to take mine out of hibernation earlier than I wanted today, as my daily driver Mini has come down with several serious issues. I went with a square winter tire setup on the staggered wheels as well:

Michelin X-ICE XI3 in 225/40-18.

Getting the tires mounted tomorrow, but brought the BMW home today (very slowly and deliberately on the Michelin PSS summer tires in 15 degree (F) weather). Also ordered WeatherTech floor liners.

Uggh. First time it's been driven in winter, and I hate doing it, but life goes on even when the Mini's life is possibly coming to an end.

[emtrey]

PSS in cold weather. Might as well mount ice skates.

I had one of the most fearful rides in my life getting caught with my PSS summer setup on wife's 335i during a flash snow fall in Chicago in early November.

You did your car and yourself a big favor getting the Michelin ICE. That is what we use on winter 17 in wheels for the 335i. They have served us well for 3 years now.

Be careful out there.

[p912guy]

Sorry to hear about the MINI. What are the issues? My previous car was a 2011 MINI Cooper S. Sold / traded it with 88000 miles and for the most part it was trouble free. I'd probably still have it had I not found my current m235i convertible for the deal I as able to get on it a year ago. If the 2er is going to continue as a summer and winter DD, you might think about getting dedicated winter wheels too. The day I brought mine home I ordered 17" wheels and the Michelin X-Ice XI3's from Tire Rack. Fortunately we don't get much snow but still plenty of cold and sometimes icy roads and they work great.

[BEM-S4]

This has been discussed to death but just a reminder: even on perfectly dry roads with no snow ice rain or anything, cold temps + summer performance rubber = very dangerous.

[VIN240i13]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

This has been discussed to death but just a reminder: even on perfectly dry roads with no snow ice rain or anything, cold temps + summer performance rubber = very dangerous.

Seems no matter how many times auto enthusiasts are reminded of this, it still gets ignored. Last week in Daphne, AL we had a hard freeze and a sprinkling of the white stuff on the ground. While I was driving the wife out to early AM breakfast, at a stoplight in front of an ON/OFF ramp to I-10 we watched in horror as a bright yellow C6 Corvette took the corner coming off the expressway exit ramp a bit too fast for those summer tires and slid right into a large white pickup truck on the opposite lane. It appeared there were no physical injuries, the occupants of the Corvette both exited the vehicle under their own power..., don’t think I could say that for the vette…

[emtrey]

Seems no matter how many times auto enthusiasts are reminded of this, it still gets ignored

So true. I usually take off the summer tires/wheels off first week of November. Had an appt on Monday of that week. Friday before got caught in a scary snowstorm 1/2 way to my kids house to babysit ( my high ( ?) compensation part time job)

Survived unscathed except for some very jangled nerves. I did get major kudos from wifey complimenting my driving skills vs. the usual, stop driving like a 16 yr old.

[aerobod]

When taking delivery of a new car in the winter, I normally purchase winter tyres and wheels ahead of time and take them with me to the dealer, who have never had a problem in fitting them before we drive the car away.

Currently have Pirelli Sottozero 3 winter tyres on the M240i, the best all-around winter tyres for our cold roads and drier snow conditions I have used. We have X-Ice 3s on the Golf R, which are comparable on snow and slightly better on ice than the Sottozero 3s, but under hard braking on dry or wet roads the X-Ice 3s lose grip very rapidly and sometimes become unstable as the tread blocks fold under, leading to much longer braking than the Sottozero in those conditions.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

This has been discussed to death but just a reminder: even on perfectly dry roads with no snow ice rain or anything, cold temps + summer performance rubber = very dangerous.

Yep, Thats why I have an X3 for driving in winter.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by p912guy

Sorry to hear about the MINI. What are the issues? My previous car was a 2011 MINI Cooper S. Sold / traded it with 88000 miles and for the most part it was trouble free. I'd probably still have it had I not found my current m235i convertible for the deal I as able to get on it a year ago. If the 2er is going to continue as a summer and winter DD, you might think about getting dedicated winter wheels too. The day I brought mine home I ordered 17" wheels and the Michelin X-Ice XI3's from Tire Rack. Fortunately we don't get much snow but still plenty of cold and sometimes icy roads and they work great.

3 big issues on the Mini:

1. low compression in cyl #3. requires removing head and machining valves/guides
2. bearing noise from transmission. will eventually fail but could last a few more years
3. steering shaft u-joints seized. Steering effort increased and makes howling noise

For now, I am only fixing the steering shaft. The low compression issue can cause a misfire when the CPU cuts the spark to #3, but it only happens if I let the car idle for 20 seconds or so. Otherwise it's not really noticeable other than the Service Engine Soon light being on. Will have to fix before the next emission inspection, since it won't pass with the light on.

The transmission bearing noise has been there for over two years already. It's only noticeable in cold weather. It's possible that two quarts of Redline MTL would make it a lot quieter and enable me to get a few more years out of it, so I'll try that first.

pull and machine head: $2000
install new transmission bearings: $2000
replace steering shaft: $800

[MadOzodi]

I'd have had the winter tires spooned on earlier, but the unseasonably warm November and beginning of December in my area made me wait. I wanted to get as much life out of the PSSeses before ditching them for good. They were brand new when I purchased the car in May, but won't be going on the new, wider summer wheels come spring.

Also, finding a shop that would actually put square, non-stock size tires on stock staggered wheels proved to be a challenge.

Believe it or not, the 215/45-18s actually fill the wheel wells better than the stock sizes...the only odd bit is the stretched look of the sidewall on the rears.

Sorry 'bout the MINI...I think the recent snow (and salted roads) is the first my car has ever seen.

[p912guy]

Originally Posted by wjones14

3 big issues on the Mini:

1. low compression in cyl #3. requires removing head and machining valves/guides
2. bearing noise from transmission. will eventually fail but could last a few more years
3. steering shaft u-joints seized. Steering effort increased and makes howling noise

For now, I am only fixing the steering shaft. The low compression issue can cause a misfire when the CPU cuts the spark to #3, but it only happens if I let the car idle for 20 seconds or so. Otherwise it's not really noticeable other than the Service Engine Soon light being on. Will have to fix before the next emission inspection, since it won't pass with the light on.

The transmission bearing noise has been there for over two years already. It's only noticeable in cold weather. It's possible that two quarts of Redline MTL would make it a lot quieter and enable me to get a few more years out of it, so I'll try that first.

pull and machine head: $2000
install new transmission bearings: $2000
replace steering shaft: $800

Wow, those are 3 random and unusual issues. Sorry to hear it. Unfortunately nothing mini about the cost of servicing MINI's.

[Miata13]

Originally Posted by aerobod

.....Currently have Pirelli Sottozero 3 winter tyres on the M240i, the best all-around winter tyres for our cold roads and drier snow conditions I have used. We have X-Ice 3s on the Golf R, which are comparable on snow and slightly better on ice than the Sottozero 3s, but under hard braking on dry or wet roads the X-Ice 3s lose grip very rapidly and sometimes become unstable as the tread blocks fold under, leading to much longer braking than the Sottozero in those conditions.

I too have found the Pirelli Sottozero 3 winters a great dry or wet winter driving tire for our MINI Roadster S...none of the "marshmellow" cornering feel you get with the optimized winter ice tires...xIce / Blizzak varieties. Those however, will be best if you regularly must drive in cold, icy or snowy conditions. If that occurs ....I switch to the family MSV...MINI Support Vehicle...AWD Volvo V60 Cross Country with its higher ground clearance and winter tires.

[BodegaBay]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

This has been discussed to death but just a reminder: even on perfectly dry roads with no snow ice rain or anything, cold temps + summer performance rubber = very dangerous.

I agree with this but the latest Engineering Explained video made me rethink the summer tires on dry roads in winter temps.

This is my first BMW and a RWD and I have a set of Michelin Alpin PA4 winters ready when it does snow. However, I've been pleasantly surprised how well the MPSS have been performing in my city with 19F mornings and nights on dry roads. I'm prolonging putting the winter tires on until it snows.

[TajoMan]

Originally Posted by BodegaBay

I would agree with this but this latest Engineering Explained video made me rethink this for dry roads with winter temps.

This is my first BMW and a RWD and I have a set of Michelin Alpin PA4 winters ready when it does snow. However, I've been pleasantly surprised how well the MPSS have been performing in my city with 19F mornings and nights.

I believe this video.

That's exact the same 'feel' I had before I changed mine to winter setup.
At least around 30 F, PSS felt much better and gripper than Blizzak LM on dry road.

Although, there is good chance that PSS may crack in lower temperature.
Also, if there is any sort of moisture/precipitation, summer tire is downright dangerous.

I find this test video pretty interesting.

Key point here is "at low speed, there is not a big difference in traction between non summer tires".

Key is LOW SPEED. no matter what tires you have, if there is snow, slow down.

[BodegaBay]

I believe this video.

That's exact the same 'feel' I had before I changed mine to winter setup.
At least around 30 F, PSS felt much better and gripper than Blizzak LM on dry road.

Although, there is good chance that PSS may crack in lower temperature.
Also, if there is any sort of moisture/precipitation, summer tire is downright dangerous.

Thx for the vid. Yep, I'll swap out to my winters once snow comes.

[Hasser]

just swapped out the standard idrive controller for the touch ceramic version.

[nelsdvn]

Originally Posted by Hasser

just swapped out the standard idrive controller for the touch ceramic version.

Very nice part swap. I have the ceramic bits that came in my X5. Now you've got me searching for one for my 2er

[Hasser]

Originally Posted by nelsdvn

Very nice part swap. I have the ceramic bits that came in my X5. Now you've got me searching for one for my 2er

eBay is where I got mine. shipped from Poland to the UK.

was more luck than judgment on the part as I have now seen units with two extra connection on the top part of the controller.
the one I have has a 4 pin plug at the bottom section.

what I need to do now is see if the radio and a/c knobs can be fitted to the 2er

[mfan225]

Coded a few things with BimmerCode:

Remote trunk release- 2 second delay
No legal disclaimers
No M235i in cluster
Windows up with lock button on remote
5 blinks with turn signal press
No orange side marker with headlights

[CJ_M240]

Picked my new to me M235i up from the dealer and promptly ordered a set of Michelin X-Ice tires. I came from a Golf R with Hakkapeliittas so hopefully the 235 will be similar in the snow.

[Ron Jeffries]

Hakkas are nice. I tried to get the X-Ice thru the dealer, as I was getting them there to store them there but they couldn't provide. So I settled for the Contis just because I was out of patience. They seem OK so far. Differences are slight but I generally like to get the best. Interested to hear how you like the X-Ice.

[VIN240i13]

Although it’s not top-down season yet, thanks to another thread on this forum I read today, I found out my wind deflector was actually missing due to inaccurate information provided during the delivery experience.

My replacement is now on order, the dealer wanted to charge me since their checklist said the wind deflector was in the M240i at time of delivery, after several minutes of a heated response they opted not to charge me and have it shipped directly to my home.