New used MCS owner and winter driving

Scooter162 · #1 10-23-2009, 08:28 AM

Just got a used 07 MCS and loving it!!!!!!, My question is how does everybody's Mini drive in the snow around Omaha or eastern Nebraska? The Continental RFs have 20,000 miles on them and I am pondering some Blizzaks for the winter. Has anybody else done the same? I had been driving a 97 Honda CRV and snow was not a problem. But a mid-life crisis forced me to get something fun to drive and the Mini fits the job.

rosmakloma · #2 10-23-2009, 11:03 AM

Welcome Scooter162! I highly recommend the Blizzaks - it was one of the first purchases I made for my MINI. I bought a full set of 15" wheels and the Blizzaks, so I could just do a full swap for my "summer" 17" wheels and tires. The snow tires did an amazing job in the two Omaha winters I used them there.
Enjoy!

iwashmycar · #3 10-23-2009, 11:12 AM

I had the same Conti's last winter in Ohio here, and I hated them. Just are too hard and the back end wants to wander around.

This year I opted for some 16" All weathers so hopefully it'll be much better. If you can get some dedicated snow tires, by all means, go for it. Bizzaks are very good, but you can pretty much use any snow tire...even General makes them and they are supposedly the same or even better in performance for much less $$.

My suggestion, if you already have 16s, would be put snow tires on them and get yourself some cool new rims w new tires come spring....that is, if you dislike the runflats as much as most do.

NightFlyR · #4 10-23-2009, 12:32 PM

Welcome to the insane world of Mini ownership!!
I would say for sure get 4 of the best snows you can find, and the Blizzaks fit the bill. the car is actually a blast to drive in the snow with the snow tires are.
Good luck with it!!

fishbone · #5 10-24-2009, 02:31 PM

I looked this up. The Mini sits half inch lower to the ground than a Corvette. This will be my first winter driving the MCS as well, should be fun! I have a Subaru as a back-up plan ;)

Beebe · #6 10-25-2009, 08:00 AM

I have the all-season continental runflats and I used them last winter and the previous winter with really no issues. I got stuck in my own driveway in the plow drift, but that was just stupidity on my part.

I have a feeling we'll have much, much more snow than last year. I don't have a backup car.

I had blizzaks on a previous car and loved them. Where are you guys buying the blizzaks?

JMike · #7 10-26-2009, 06:37 AM

I definitely like having snow tires on my Mini also. I have a set of Blizzaks and actually have them mounted on my original Mini rims (have new rims now) so I can do a full swap at winter. I've had Blizzaks on previous 'mini vans' and loved them. The ones I have on the Mini just don't seem to be as good as I thought they would do though. At intersections, I still seem to notice a lot of slippage and my traction light would come on several times (could be a heavy foot though). I bought a cheaper pair of Firestone snow tires for my wife's Civic and they seem to have a much more aggressive tread. When these Blizzaks wear out, I think I will be going with these other tires instead next time.

WildThang · #8 10-26-2009, 05:53 PM

Saw some Blizzaks on the Omaha craigslist this past weekend.

These tires and some extra rims are on our list of 'must haves'.

Scooter162 · #9 10-29-2009, 06:45 AM

I have ordered 2 used rims that match mine and will probably get some blizzaks from tire rack. This way I won't have to remount them every year. Plus I found a perfect place to hang them in my garage.

iwashmycar · #10 10-29-2009, 09:06 AM

hope your not just putting 2 on.... not smart

Scooter162 · #11 10-29-2009, 10:12 AM

yea just the fronts for now, I know there may be some issues but cost will prohibit me for this winter.