[jlivingood]

I even had trouble navigating the driveway and it's flat!

Jason

[RSAmerica]

I just slide into a curb in the snow with Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSST. I have always driven my old (96 M3 & 98 C43 AMG) cars in the snow with Michelin Pilot SX MXX3 summer tires, not good but controllable. The Mini with runflats just went straight at 15-20 mph, I had to rotate the car with the hand brake and ended up broad siding the curb. This car needs snow tires and would be good.

David K.
PCA Track Instructor

[elmadi]

Quote:

Originally posted by jlivingood
Well, I DID go for a quick drive and got stuck several times with my run flat, 17 inch, summer performance tires. Big surprise, eh!? I think 16 inch winter runflats are in order if I intend to drive this winter.

I finally got stuck on a hill and the only way up it was to go up in reverse. During this exercise my flat tire indicator, DSC error light and ABS warning lights all came on. Just checked the car again and the tire light is off but DSC and ABS errors are still showing.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the ABS sensors and the DSC program had no idea why my wheels were spinning at 20 miles an hour in reverse with no traction. Planning a morning trip to the dealer to have the error codes reset. Ah well - the price of fun.

This car definitely needs snow tires.


Jason

Hi Jason

Looking at the picture---may I ask if you have the Moss Skidplate installed?

Thanks.

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by jlivingood
Well, I DID go for a quick drive and got stuck several times with my run flat, 17 inch, summer performance tires. Big surprise, eh!?

Planning a morning trip to the dealer to have the error codes reset. Ah well - the price of fun.

This car definitely needs snow tires.

Jason

I don't think you need to get these reset. You just need to drive forwards for around 20 miles on dry pavement, and they should reset.

The biggest problem with any summer tire, is well beyond the shape and depth of the tread pattern. At these cold temperatures, the tire is hard. They suck as soon as they go beyond their glass transition temperature. Basically, it turns into a shiny, hard tire. The all-season tires are much better, and the winter tires are worth every penny (albeit a lot of pennies for a set of the Dunlop WinterSport M3 DSST's).

The Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSST's mentioned below are also summer tires.

It didn't even occur to me to try to drive with the summer tires. I was more panicked to get my hands on a set (limited availability here) before the first snowfall, when everyone rushes to get them.

While I'm sure it's possible to drive it, I've heard of insurance companies denying a claim if the car had summer tires on in the winter.

[coopertease]

My MCS is happily clean in the garage, but with all of this talk about DSC and ABS, I'm tempted to get it dirty...

Drove the 4x4 truck to work today...

Be careful out there!

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by coopertease
My MCS is happily clean in the garage, but with all of this talk about DSC and ABS, I'm tempted to get it dirty...

If you can find an open parking lot without lights to run into that's still snow covered (well actually anything inclement and the summer tires will suck as people have proven) you can have tons of fun, its a whole new MINI experience. Just make sure your local car wash is open when you're done.

For the rest of us with only one car, lets hope someone doesn't cause serious damage to their car or worse because of the suckitude of the stock tires.

[jlivingood]

Quote:

Originally posted by elmadi
Looking at the picture---may I ask if you have the Moss Skidplate installed?

Nope but I tend to think one might make sense - at least for the winter!

Jason

[jlivingood]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe


I don't think you need to get these reset. You just need to drive forwards for around 20 miles on dry pavement, and they should reset.

I'll try that - thanks!

Jason

[EBMCS03]

Hey jlivingood (jason) Can you send me the resolution picture of your MINI up there? the one where its like burried in snow... I LOVE IT.

THANKS
Eric

UCSDxB0i@san.rr.com

[cosworth]

Drove my MCS home tonite from work in about 5-6", and I have to say, I feel very safe in this car, safer than any other car I've owned. The traction control came on a number of times from a standing start, until the car hooked up. Definitely, it can get a little loose in the rear around corners, but yes, it is very predictable. The car has 17" Goodyear Run-Flats and DSC.

[olerud400]

Having driven other cars ('95 Maxima last winter being the prime example) in the snow, particularly in Rochester, I am now contemplating buying snow tires/rims.

We had a nice snowfall here in Jersey today and I must say I was impressed with the Mini's traction (16" wheels, dunlop all-season tires) with the DSC. There were however a few instances where the car slid around and had trouble stopping even with DSC on, especially on hills.

I will say that, particularly when I go back to my office, I will have a very very hilly commute in Central Jersey. Any thoughts on particular tires?

[rogerswt]

I went with a set of 15" MINI 8 spoke wheels with continental all seasons for my winter setup. I found take-offs on eBay for a very reasonable price. They handled our first snow extremely well - DSC's terrific. When the conti's wear out, I'll go with real winter tires, but these are great so far. Good thing; since they'll only be on the car 4 months a year, I think they'll last a while.

[coolmini]

Today was my first day of real snow & ice driving my Mini here in north Jersey. I have a 5sp with DSC & the 16" Goodyear runflats.
In the morning there was very little snow, but a bit of ice on the road. I was not impressed with the slipping on ice that I had, but ice is almost impossible to get a good grip on no matter what. Later, coming home, I was glad I had the heated seats!! They really make the driving more plesureable. We had about 6 inches of snow & it gave me a good idea of the snow traction. I played around in the parking lot for a while & noticed that I was able to control the car at reasonable speeds around the light posts.
Driving home on the highway, there was no aquaplanning or wandering on the snowy roads. The rear wiper is a godsend, for without it, you would be blind in the rear.
After getting off the highway, & re-entering the local roads, I found the slow speed traction to be much better. The traction control light would come on frequently, & I felt it kept the car pointed in the right direction at most times. I believe the DSC option it the most useful in helping you with snow traction. Compared to my previous New Beetle overall it is better because of the DSC. The Beetle felt heavier & less responsive, partially because it had an automatic gearbox. Before that I had a Toyota MR-2 which I had to drive backwards to get that up a snowy hill.
The ABS works well in the Mini. However, it is my opinion that you should be driving slow & smooth enough so you do not have the ABS engaging. It IS possible.
Overall, I think I will be purchasing a set of winter snow tires. They make any car a super winter performer. My last experience was with a Honda Civic Si. I had a set of Blizzaks on it & it went like stink!!
My only question would be which would be better...the Bridgestone Blizzaks or the Michelin snows? What do you guys think?

[mtnMINI]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm eager to give it a whirl! I'm sure the investment in snow tires (and some time in an open parking lot!) will be well worth it. Jason - love the snow pics!

[Bilbo Baggins]

I did some experimenting on my commute home tonight in about 6" of fresh powder snow, with just a hint of ice underneath. I have a MCS with 195/55-16 Dunlop DSST All Season tires. Generally the traction was OK. Brakeing was adequate, ABS helped frequently. Acceleration was adequate, DSC helped frequently. Tried some hills that were not will plowed and found the limit of the tires.

I have been searching the web this evening looking for some 15" wheels and some narrower, 185/65-15, Bridgestone Blizzak or Michelin Arctic Alpine snow tires. I'd really like to find some 175/65-15 tires but don't seem to be able to locate any.

I did find some studdable 195/60-15 Firestones.....Hmmmm, interesting.

That pretty much tells the story I'd say.

[HarryHBMCC]

Vredestein was supposed to bring their 175/65R15T Snowtrac tire in to Canada after I asked their distributor but AFAIK, it never made it. I went with 16" runflats anyways...

Harry

[ezrally]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bilbo Baggins
I did some experimenting on my commute home tonight in about 6" of fresh powder snow, with just a hint of ice underneath. I have a MCS with 195/55-16 Dunlop DSST All Season tires. Generally the traction was OK. Brakeing was adequate, ABS helped frequently. Acceleration was adequate, DSC helped frequently. Tried some hills that were not will plowed and found the limit of the tires.

I have been searching the web this evening looking for some 15" wheels and some narrower, 185/65-15, Bridgestone Blizzak or Michelin Arctic Alpine snow tires. I'd really like to find some 175/65-15 tires but don't seem to be able to locate any.

I did find some studdable 195/60-15 Firestones.....Hmmmm, interesting.

That pretty much tells the story I'd say.

Narrowist production (everyday) tire still around is a Nokian Hakka 09 in 165/80-15. Used to rally on them for combo conditions of dirt,ice & snow.
Not the stickest, but cuts thru deep snow great!

[RBEmerson]

FWIW, the MCS with the sport package tires is basically a dead loss in snow.

While much of the local side streets still have snow on them (Lansdale snow crews are soooooo efficient - NOT!), the main roads are basically clear. Nonetheless, "motoring on" (let alone driving around) just after the roughly 7-9 inches we just received was not a lot of fun. My Blizzaks and steel rims are on order from Tirerack.

[HarryHBMCC]

For more pictures of my MINI Cooper in the snow, see http://members.rogers.com/hpulley/minisnow.html

[Humourl3ss]

Great pics, Harry. You caught the light at the right time.

-CW