Newb - should i buy when snow is here 6 months a year

[ktap46]

Hello, I am new to this site. I thought I would do some research are mini's good in the winter? we get heavy snow in western MI. I am looking at purchasing a 2006 MINI Cooper S works. it has about 45k on it. anything I should look for? mainly I guess how are they in the winter?

[yellowmininy]

I've had a 2003 Mini Cooper for 7 years, and it's great in the snow. Make sure you have all-season tires at least (instead of performance tires) in the winter, and even better to have snow/ice tires. I have a 2nd set of rims/ snow tires, which makes the changeover much easier. I enjoy winter driving much more in a Mini!

[lespurgeon]

Get a set of steel 15" rims and put on snow tyres. Depending on where you are you may need chains, which aren't going to fit with every wheel/tyre combination (I don't think they will work wiht the 18" wheels)

[minicore]

If you're happy to switch to winter tyres when the snow arrives, then I'm sure you'll be fine. My JCW is useless in the snow (17" runflats - we don't get much snow luckily), however I've heard plenty of good reports about running 15" rims and more suitable tyres, as mentioned above.

[dirchy]

Not wanting to thread hijack, but I think this question is relevant. Will 15" rims fit onto an MCS? Am I right in thinking that a default non chilli pack MCS would come with 16's? I'm thinking of the brake disk clearance etc
I've seen plenty round where I live this winter with steels and winter tyres, the couple I got close enough to were running 16" rims though.

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by dirchy (original)

Will 15" rims fit onto an MCS?

All 1st Gen MINIs except the GP and factory JCW came from the factory with the same size front brakes, so if the front discs are 276mm 15" wheels will fit.

[beken]

A good wheel/tire dealer will do a trial fit on your car to make sure the wheels clear the brakes.

I believe JCW brakes require 16" wheels. But I have heard of a few 15" wheels with the correct offset that fit.

Snowtires with a narrow footprint (I'm using 195's) will do wonders in snow.

Having snowtires also prolongs the life of your summer tires and wheels (less salt and sand eating into them). So the investment is cost effective.

[James]

I wouldn't get it if it has the JCW aero kit, the front bumper on mine acted like a snow plough when the snow was over a few inches

[Kemo]

I've got 2 friends that drive their Mini's in the winter (mine's a conv. so I put it away). They both say they handle extremely well with 4 winter tires (don't try just 2 winters on the front, it's too light of a car for that) and they're quite happy. Believe me, we get our share of snow up here, so if these guys are pleased, then that's saying something.

[cheswick]

Living in central Canada and I had zero problems this past winter and I'm only using all-seasons. Depending on the frequency that the streets are plowed in your area you should just get a set of winter tires. The mini is as gooad as any other car i've driven in the winter.