Hi, I'm new to the forum and at this point, just dreaming about my MINI. I live in a cold climate, where winter temperatures occasionally fall to minus 40 for several days. Are there any issues about the MC/MCS in the cold that I should be concerned about?


I'm wondering about the aluminum block engine. I had one many years ago that developed a loss of compression, I think because of the temperature stress and expansion/contraction of the aluminum. Does anyone have some experiences / thoughts to share about MINIs and very cold weather?

Thanks!!!
Minnie Mouse

 

I think thats what BMW engines are made from...so your car would do just as good as a BMW Aluminum Block engine.

Also from this link below 85% of cars in America are Aluminum Block engines

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_aluminum_claims_no/

 

Minne Mouse if it gets down to -40 be sure to ask the dealer if the anti-freeze from the factory is good down to that temperature.

 

Thanks, roathd. That makes sense! Sounds like it's not a problem. ...Although I notice there are no dealers in chilly places like Montana -- but the MCS isn't exactly a cowboy's usual ride, either!
Minnie

 

Thanks, sancochojoe. Good enough for BMW, good enough for me, I guess!.

I've gotta say, I've been very impressed by everything I learn about minis. I didn't want to be swayed by just a pretty face, so I've been doing a lot of reading online. They sure are well-built!

Minnie

 

By the way, the Compiled Delivery Checklist (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...16&postcount=1) references a "cold start software update". You might make sure that that update has been applied to your MINI...

 

I hope you ordered heated seats

 

Everything I can get!

 

I have an 03 Cooper that lived outside in Manitoba winters and I had no issues with the car starting, or any other issues, except for frozen outside door handles that were changed for 04 handles, and my Midlands tranny blew an axle seal at -40. New tranny no problems since, but now I live in St. Louis, where there is no REAL winter

Some old pics I took




If you need more cold weather info, just check my posts/threads, up till last year a lot of them dealt with cold weather.

Mark

 

Wow. That's cold. Those of us in So. California can't even conceive of temperatures that low.

 

Nice job in taking your camera outside with you to snap those shots for us unbelievers! Worst winter I spent was '94 while attending Michigan Tech (in the U.P.) — a winter in which Superior froze completely over. It wasn't that our temps were outrageously low (I think the worst of it was -20ºF) but the seventeen straight days when the high temperature was below zero that got to me. And of course, classes weren't canceled once during that stretch — so I was making the mile-and-a-half hike each day. Brrr!

I guarantee you there was a zero percent chance of me bringing along my camera and/or taking off a glove so I could take a photo! I also guarantee you that you'll get used to life without any "real" winters (although out here in Colorado we do tend to get the occassional snowfall — last winter giving us a series of legitimate "storms").

~Neal

 

This is my idea of "REAL" winter









It's roads like this that the e-brake drift are for



Mark

 

I love it! If your baby can survive, I guess mine can too! I'll fess up - I'm writing from Edmonton, Alberta. I think possibly Manitoba winters are even a bit colder than ours.
Minnie

 

Edm. and the Peg have similar winters, minus a whole bunch C or F, snow, ice, freezing rain, sleet, and it last 5 months. The rest of the year is just poor sledding weather

Mark