[stevieb]

I'd like some feedback form NE/NY Mini owners about Minis in snow. Winter 2002 was one of the worst on record for snow fall, which began mid October and didn't let up until April.

How did your Mini fare in the snow? And I'm not talking about urban driving--I mean backwoods, suburban, country-road, not-well-plowed, pothole-ridden drivng. How did your Mini do on the hills in winter?

I'm considering buying one but it's got to get me through these hellish winters.

Stevan Bartone
Eathampton MA

[Cape Cod MINI]

stevieb,
That's what some folks used to call me! "SteviB". Same initials. Welcome to MINI2.
Check out this thread for a little information: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=30591
Most of us have found that our MINI's go great in the snow as long as you have the right tires.
I have dedicated 16" Michelin Artic Alpines for the snow. Put 'em on in Nov. and take them off in March. Loads of fun doing hand brake turns in snow covered parking lots.
My driveway is about 200 feet and has a slight incline at the top. The MINI mowed through some really deep snow like a champ. I think you'll be pleased if you get one.

[Maurice]

We have the 16" all-seasons, and they were just great in the snow. In some cases, we had to keep the car in low (CVT using steptronic) and in one case we had to turn off the DSC (getting up a slippery hill), but in all cases the car was wonderful.

[jlivingood]

You need snow tires:

http://www.thelivingoods.com/mini/SnowTires/

http://www.thelivingoods.com/mini/Snow02072003/

http://www.thelivingoods.com/mini/Sn.../WinterFun.avi

[snid]

Go with the ghetto fabulous steel wheels when you put on your snow tires:



The MINI is just as capable as any other front wheel drive car in winter. If you, like me, live in a place where there are radio and tv commercials for snow tire brands, then you'll want to put snow tires on it. If the local service stations don't stock snow tires, you can probably get away with just all-season tires.

Drive sensibly, and you'll be fine.

And traction control / DSC is a good thing (ignore anyone who lies to you and says the owner's manual says to turn it off in the snow).

[HarryHBMCC]

The manual only says to turn of TC if you get stuck and cannot move because of super low traction. Otherwise, leave it on.

I chose to get alloys for winter as I couldn't bear to see my MINI in steelies. As well, some who originally got steelies had rubbing problems and switched to alloys. YMMV.

Up hills the MINI is as good (or bad) as other FWD cars in winter but for cornering it is much better as its asphalt manners translate well to snow and other loose surfaces. It is a great gravel and mud car too. Up steep hills you will eventually be traction limited but safe (no sliding, just won't be able to go as fast as you might like).

Harry

[NiqDanger]

I had no snow tires or anything else and really I had no trouble driving. I did stay out of the worst of it (staying home), but I had no issue of traction or sliding (except on purpose!) when driving on the badly plowed city and town streets.

[coolmini]

I live in NY/NJ & drove my Mini through the past horrible winter. Here are my thoughts:
The stock all-season tires 195/55-16's worked for me, but next year I am getting the Bridgestone Blizzaks or maybe the Michelin version. On a previous Honda Civic it made a HUGE difference. You just cant use them all year round.

No matter which tire you have mounted, the Mini still has a low spoiler height. This causes the car to "snowplow" the center section of a snow covered road. I am always wary of damage.

I never had to turn off the tractioncontrol/stability control as I never had to spin the wheels to get out of deep snow or ice.

The heated seats make driving the car in the cold winter a BLAST!

[Bilbo Baggins]

I have a MCS and after the first serious snow this winter I was looking for snow tires. I have the stock 195/55R16 all season tires.

I ended up with a set of the 7 hole 15" MINI Cooper wheels and the all season 175/65R15 tires. They made all the difference in the world. When the all seasons wear out I'll be getting some Blizzaks or Michelin Arctics.

Since I have two sets of wheels it is easy to change them fall and spring. The real problem is storing the extra set of wheels somewhere.

For better winter traction you will want a narrower tire with a more open/aggressive tread pattern made out of softer rubber.

I found that turning off the DSC when trying to climb a steep hill was definitely better than leaving it on. The DSC is soo efficient that it will not let you spin the wheels at all and what seems to happen is you loose all of your momentum as the car just keep slowing down regardeless of how far you hold the accelerator down. I did some experimenting on a un-plowed hill with and without the DSC. I consistently made it further up without the DSC. For all other application I leave the DSC turned on.

[squid]

I ran the stock 175/15 all seasons (Conti)
in the snow and was fine.



I tried Falken Azenis summer tires in the
snow, don't do that if you have any hills.

Turning, steering is better than most
cars, traction, hill climbing is about
average.

The only thing to worry about is the low
clearance of the front air dam/bumper.

I avoided deep ruts, especially when they re-freeze.

[jcsinnh]

And, where there is snow, there is usually salt. So low clearance and interesting crevices for dirt/salt build-up are my only observations. 17" all-seasons did just fine up here but do watch those clumps of hard stuff and wash underneath regularly.

[LordWinslow]

Quote:

Originally posted by stevieb
I'd like some feedback form NE/NY Mini owners about Minis in snow. Winter 2002 was one of the worst on record for snow fall, which began mid October and didn't let up until April.

How did your Mini fare in the snow? And I'm not talking about urban driving--I mean backwoods, suburban, country-road, not-well-plowed, pothole-ridden drivng. How did your Mini do on the hills in winter?

I'm considering buying one but it's got to get me through these hellish winters.

Stevan Bartone
Eathampton MA

I live here in Manchester, NH, in an area that is always plowed last. My Cooper came with the 16" upgrage as one of the options, the Goodyear's on the car, well suck in snow (good on dry or wet pavement). If you are stopped on snow no matter how much or little, the car tires always spin. It takes a bit, but they will grip at some point and your off. After getting tired of being stuck, I bought a 16" tire package from Peabody Mini. These were Dunlop winter tires, these made driving in a good amount of snow easy. I never had a problem since. I don't have DSC on my Mini, but the Dunlops work well. You should contact Peabody Mini, they will set you up right.

Winslow

[GMINI]

I swung some michelin arctic alpins and MINI 15" steelies from tirerack for a sweet sum. Gotta say the steel wheels DO make the MINI meaner. I'm with snid on that one. Was MEmini telling me how hubcaps are good for salt protection? pshaw.

Oh and the MINI on four snows is a wonderful thing. Not the same handling, but what a snow performance.

[SlvrBullet]

I ran on my 17" Pirellis all winter, no problem. I live on the second highest point in my town and the last 2 tenths of a mile before my driveway there is probably about a 60-70ft elevation change and you can't build up any speed to barrel up it because the road has some nice curves and bends in it.

...then again I've had a couple of 3-Series BMWs, which are notoriously evil in winter.

[snagger]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=4][color=Silver]

I have read Some Posts: Cape Cod & His 16" Artic Alpines. Did you get Alloys? Are you In an "S".

Bilbo Baggins, you have a MCS with 15" . How is the performance, Down from 17" . Do you run Steelies?

Gmini Cookies You have steelies 16" Do you like em.

I'm thinking about getting = : 16" Verdstiens Snow Trac II in 16". I think they afre great snow tires. I'd like to save money & heartache by running Steelies. Can I get 16" Wheel Covers.
Can I get an Opinion. I'm Thinking, Yes.

Mini On,

Snagger

[LordWinslow]

Quote: Originally Posted by snagger

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=4][color=Silver]

I have read Some Posts: Cape Cod & His 16" Artic Alpines. Did you get Alloys? Are you In an "S".

Bilbo Baggins, you have a MCS with 15" . How is the performance, Down from 17" . Do you run Steelies?

Gmini Cookies You have steelies 16" Do you like em.

I'm thinking about getting = : 16" Verdstiens Snow Trac II in 16". I think they afre great snow tires. I'd like to save money & heartache by running Steelies. Can I get 16" Wheel Covers.
Can I get an Opinion. I'm Thinking, Yes.

Mini On,

Snagger

You should get what your comfitable with, you tire package sounds great. You should have no problems running with Steel rims. Try TireRack.com you should be able to get covers for your rims.

I got a package of the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 DSST's with Rims. (If I remember correctly, they also come in a non DSST so you can run them with steel rims. DSST = Dunlop Self Supporting Technology) They are great in the winter, no loss of performance. I actually like them better than the Goodyears I have on in the Summer.

Winslow

[Bilbo Baggins]

Quote: Originally Posted by snagger

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=4][color=Silver]

Bilbo Baggins, you have a MCS with 15" . How is the performance, Down from 17" . Do you run Steelies?

Mini On,

Snagger

Snagger,

I was able to buy a set of the stock MINI Cooper "7 Hole" alloy wheels from my dealer. They were "take offs" from one of the other customers who upgraded to a larger wheel. They had the stock Conti all season tire mounted. I run the all seasons and they are much better than the 16" tire in the snow and slush. When the all seasons wear out I will be buying real snow tires.

The performance of the narrower 175/65-15 tire is more than adequate for the winter in the snow and on dry pavement. I tend not to drive as fast in the winter, what with all of the road salt/sand spread around and the snow/ice possibilities. Spirited driving is still alot of fun.

As for run-flat vs. non-runflat. If you are overly concerned about getting a flat it is possible to purchase a small compressor and a can of Slime. That should handle about anything short of a catastrophic failure, and you would always have the means to maintain correct tire pressure for even tire wear and/or best performance.

Hope that this is of some help.

Bilbo Baggins

[ice]

I am ordering steelies with Bridgestone Blizzaks today. I love driving in the snow.

[ontheroadagain]

What are the advantages of steelies vs alloys for snow tires and are any of you bothering with runflat snows or are they just too expensive?

Thanks.

[HarryHBMCC]

Alloys are generally lighter than steel wheels and they don't flex which is a pro and a con (they'll bend before they break but flexure is bad with high torque). So if you intend to drive it slow all winter, steelies are fine but you may find the weight and flexure hurt enthusiastic driving.

I have runflat snows, the Dunlop WinterSport DSSTs and several others have them as well though I think the majority go for non-runflats.

Harry