minis what they like in the snow

[kelv1962]

well we have 4 inches of snow today and the misses wants to go shopping in asda what are minis like to drive in this weather with normal tyres on

[timp]

Probably not a lot different to any small hatch - take it easy, leave plenty of space from car in front (and hope bloke behind you does the same!), no sudden braking, steering input or acceleration and jobs a good 'un!
Mine is sat on the drive still, covered in snow - some main roads blocked earlier so working from home!

[The Nun]

Pretty hopeless with normal tyres on if the snows any more than 75mm deep you wont go anywhere.

[IANetc]

I've got 17's with run flats, and the limit on the main roads is about 20mph for me. And I wouldn't try and brake or corner with any sort of ferocity. And abs simply won't work in heavy snow.

[Loving_it]

Glad you asked kelv, was going to ask as I am on the lookout for a cooper s. they can't be any worse than my smart roadster. Looks like it might be a good idea to have a set of winter wheels with winter tyres on then, because winter tyres do work and work very well.

[marque]

Hi ya

snow tires and ASC off there good fun no problems :-)

as a tip turn off ASC in the snow any way easier to drive with normal tires

hope this helps

[bigry]

See if your local dealer has got the snow socks in stock. I've got them on my S and I've been trundling no problem, nice and slow, but i'm not getting stuck anywhere.

I've had them for a year....been itching to use them and i'm quite impressed.

[RobbieA]

I have no problem at all but I do have a Countryman SD All4 with winter tyres!

[3bars]

I've got a One with 15" wheels and standard tyres... It's great in the snow... Low centre of gravity and weight makes them easily handled

[Angib]

Quote: Originally Posted by 3bars (original)

I've got a One with 15" wheels and standard tyres... It's great in the snow...

I think on summer tyres, the 15s give a different result to 17s, which are big enough to float around on top of the snow and not get traction.

So I think the OP will get different answers depending on the size (well, width, to be accurate) of the wheels of the person answering. 15s good, 17s not so good and, yeah, 16s in between.

Even on winter tyres, I think narrower tyres will be better though I doubt the difference is significant in Britain - certainly my 17" winters are dealing with the current snow as though it wasn't there.

[miniME12]

Quote: Originally Posted by RobbieA (original)

I have no problem at all but I do have a Countryman SD All4 with winter tyres!

I agree. I have a Countryman S all4, no problems with the run flats.
Friends of mine just got a Kia Sorento, that got stuck before my Mini...I have stock run flats on...This was in the Poconos to ski between Christmas and New Years

[axelf]

I bought a set of wheels and winter tyres on them.. It is my wife's cooper and she has not been stuck any where... Winter tyres do work a lot better than summer tyres at temps below 7 deg ... I have been using a winter set on my BMW for years , with out them the car is useless in the snow.....

[newbeemini]

Mine has been fine running on standard runflats. Considering how much snow we get per year buying winter tyres doesnt make sense to me

[Loving_it]

Winter tyres are not only for snow, as mentioned, for cold temperatures. Also great to just have them fitted to some steel wheels as to stop the salt getting on your alloy wheels. And after winter when you refit your summer wheels looks like a different car

[Franzz]

Mine cooper s with 17" summer bridgestone potenza re050a is undrivable. I have abandoned it down the road on our (hilly) estate this morning. I had to ride to work on my 250cc trail bike which was also highly dangerous. If I had the spare money I would have bought winter tyres. My smart roadster brabus had 17" wheels and was also undrivable in the snow till I got x4 steel wheels with Avon winter tyres. The difference it makes is unbelievable. Winter tyres work well from 7 deg or less. They are not just for snow.