Given
77%
while driving a
MINI Cooper D
(175/55 R15)
on
mostly country roads
for 33,000
average miles
The Pirelli's came as original equipment under the winter tires option from Mini when we go our first Mini in 2014. We've used them on two Mini's now over three winters including three trips to the French Alps, an 1,800 mile round trip. We live in the Pennines in West Yorkshire up small country lanes that are never gritted or cleared. We've had a bit of snow over the last three winters and a bit of snow driving in the Alps. The tires have felt stable and secure at all times whether on dry, wet or snowy roads. On the way down to France this year, we were driving through heavy rain at the maximum allowed of 110 km/h and climbing snow covered motorways following the snow ploughs and the tires handled everything with ease. On the way back we hit snow in West Yorkshire around Holmfirth and whilst other cars were stuck, turning back or, in two cases, in the stone walls, we just carried on up hill, down dale and around the bends. The most reassuring thing about these tires in the snow is that when you hit the brakes, the car stops. The only other tires that I can compare them with are Goodyear Vector4Seasons which I had for a year on the car before the first Mini. They were a good performer on snow for a four season tire but I think the Pirelli's edge them on the snow. We've done almost 33,000 miles on them so they are wearing well. They are a bit more noisy than summer tires especially on slightly rough surfaces or concrete roads. This isn't much of a problem in France, however, as the motorways generally have very good surfaces.
