[nomerana]

I am thinking about leasing a mini-cooper, but am worried about how it will be in the snow - I live in CT and this will be my only car. How is the mini in the snow?

[Jester's mom]

Quote: Originally Posted by nomerana (original)

I am thinking about leasing a mini-cooper, but am worried about how it will be in the snow - I live in CT and this will be my only car. How is the mini in the snow?

Nomerana most of us do not have issues in the snow with our minis. Many of us have a set of snow tires that we swap out in the winter time then put the regular tires on in the "good New England" weather.

[snid]

In CT? You'll be fine. If it has the all-season tires instead of the performance tires, you'll be fine if you stay home on the "bad" days. If you want to be able to move around on the bad days, get a set of snow tires. My MINI is my only car, and I live in northern Vermont and use mine to get to the ski areas when it's really snowy out - but I have serious snow tires.

[Oldpaint]

Join us on the arctic mini run this winter and find out how well minis handle on snow.

[jimmy_racoon]

Go for it!
I live in Minnesota and purposely bought a MINI as my everyday ride for this climate.
We are in snow about half the year.
MINI's kick butt in the snow!
I was blown away by the handling and control.
Must admit, I watched this video link and was sold:

MINI.ca

Couple of tips-
Consider 15" wheels to minimize snow packing in wheel wells.
Spray wheel wells with WD-40 on heavy snow days to minimize sticking.
Always use DSC-it makes you be a better driver than you really are.
Go for winter package-heated seats, mirrors, washer jets (priceless!)

Have a blast

Motor on.

[ice]

I live in Connecticut. This will be my fourth winter with my MINI. I run Bridgestone Blizzaks after October and my car is better in the snow than my girlfriend's 4-Runner(unless of course the snow ismore then four inches deep).

I am also a freek for driving in snow. I love to practice losing control on deserted streets and in parking lots. I think my skill level is getting to a fairly reasonable level. I just don't like being around the other buttholes who act as though they will never lose control.

[MisterMINI]

Unless you plan to do a lot of driving on snow covered roads then I would say all season tires should be fine. In Massachusetts they quickly get the roads plowed back to the black top so there really isn't that much driving actually on the snow. If you find the all seasons aren't adequate then you can always go for snow tires.

Tire Rack often have good deals on winter tires The Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels

[rfinprc]

It's all true. MINIs are a blast in the snow. I prefer mine with snow tires -- I mounted 16" Blizzak LM22s.

A few winters ago a bunch of us went ice racing on Loudon Lake in NH with the BMW car club -- if this is a good winter I'll be trying to go again.

And what they said about playing in the snow -- woo hoo!

https://home.comcast.net/~rf6/snow_turn_2.wmv

[kgouin]

Driving in the snow was my main concern before buying my MINI. I have to honestly say that my MINI is the best car in the snow I have ever owned! I purchased 15" tires on their own rims with blizzak snow tires from tire rack. That has been the best investment. The only time I was stuck in the snow is when I drove on a road that had not been plowed and there was already a lot of snow. My MINI just stopped. When I got out an looked, I had been plowing the snow and it was all built up in the front. I just kicked the snow away from the front of my MINI and I was off again with no problems. I would purchase snow tires if you are real concerned. My normal tires are the performance runflats so driving with those in the winter is not an option for me.

[m2smith]

I've got Dunlop all season runflats and they have done well by me through two winters. My driving is onfairly well traveled roads though. If out in the boonies get snows.

[Bonnie Blue]

GO BLIZZAKS GO! I got them last winter on 15' rims and they got me through snow thick (almost, hee hee) & thin!

[jimmy_racoon]

Bonnie Blue-love your Gallery pic.
Can't wait for more white stuff up here!
Motor on.

[coolmini]

Nomerana--I have to agree with most people here......the Mini does very well in the snow if you have a set of dedicated snow tires. My 2002 runs very well on my Blizzaks on steel 15" wheels.

In fact, I am now selling them! 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks WS-50 on 15" steel wheels w/ wheel covers. Let me know if you want them. Lots of tread left & 3 winters old.

[blalor]

Quote: Originally Posted by jimmy_racoon (original)

Go for it!
Must admit, I watched this video link and was sold:

MINI.ca

It was the other mini.ca feature that got my attention: MINI Dominates Winter

[rfinprc]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

It was the other mini.ca feature that got my attention: MINI Dominates Winter

[smurfy]

My old Mini had 16in run flat tires which I used year round. I never had problem in the snow.

[jimmy_racoon]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

It was the other mini.ca feature that got my attention: MINI Dominates Winter

blalor-
you have a point!

motor on