Greetings from Alaska! I have only played on travel forums, so this is a brand new experience for me and I appreciate your patience with this post. Anyhow, I am researching minis - I think they are the cutest cars - haven't even driven one, but I would really love to hear how well they drive in cold/winter conditions - and I mean extreme cold. Our winters are frequently -20 to -40 F or worse. I have driven 4 wheel drive Toyota's for years, but my husband would really like me to get a car with better gas mileage, and we both love the way the mini's look. There aren't any dealers in our state, but we have seen a few driving around . . . so it does seem possible. I would love some advice! Thanks so much - Denise

 

Well I can't help you on the cold driving stuff, I live in California, but our cars are not "Cute", they are "mean" looking I'm just kidding Welcome to NAM I'm sure you will get some real answers soon.

 

Welcome Denise, I live in Madison, WI and when I picked up my mini this January, it was 15 degrees below zero. The whole 1st week it never got above zero, wind chills well below -20, and it snowed between 8-12 inches in 4 days. My mini handled the cold, the snowy roads and was able to easily stay out the way of the other clutzier drivers out on the winter roads. You should not worry about the mini capabilities in that regard. My sister lived in Anchorage for nearly 5 years while she was in the Navy and really liked it there. Where are you from? You need to get in a mini and go for a test drive, it will change your perspective on cars, for sure...

 

Hello - thank you for the warm welcome and the info regarding winter/snow. I live very close to Denali National Park, south of Fairbanks and in the Interior region, where we get these bitterly cold temps. We generally don't get lots of snow, but we also have dirt roads. That is probably one of the hard facts is that I would hate to get this beautiful Mini and tear it up on our roads.
I guess the reason I am concerned about the snow handling is that I have always driven a 4-wheel drive vehicles in snow country - except for in college when I had an old VW bug, which happens to drive much like a 4x4. I am also a bit concerned about the size factor, as I have an SUV and we have these big moose that like to get out on the road. When I expressed that concern to my husband, he said the Mini is so small, I would probably go right under the moose! However, the Mini also has many safety features my current car doesn't, so that would be a plus.
Anyhow, I am the researcher - I like to read as much as I can before I purchase a vehicle - like Consumer Reports and on the internet. I have loved the recent data concerning the value stablility of the Mini - the best on the market! We would probably fly out to Seattle or some other area to buy - if you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thanks again! Denise

 

I had some problems with oil leakage in cold weather, but we had local mechanics change the oil (bad idea)
the garage solved that though
and it does extremely well in the snow, no sliding in a colorado winter, unless i want to that is

 

I live in N Wisconsin and drive my MINI year-round, although I had a MCS before I got my current convertible.

I used dedicated snow tires and my car got around fine. The only problem is clearance if there is a lot of snow.

One advantage - it is really easy to reach the whole car to brush snow off!

My car was garaged at home, but parked outdoors at school during the day. Although we don't get the really cold temps like you do, it always started immediately for me. I wonder if you an get a block heater for the MINIs?

 

We actually have a trio combo - block heater, oil pan warmer and battery warmer on our vehicles, as we really need that here. But I am sure we can find some one who could do that - though it would be nice to have it installed when we pick vehicle.
SO - another question - do most folks "order" your car or do you buy them right off the lot. Husband is leaning more for the clubman and the bit of extra room - we both want the winter weather package.
I am sure I'll be reading more/posting onto other threads. Many thanks!

 

Opposite side of the country reporting in. In Maine this past year the AIR temp hit less than 20 below for several days in a row and the MINI started up no problem each day after sitting outside with no warming device on the car at all. The MINI has a good safety record and if your roads are like our roads are in the winter the locals are well prepared to handle plowing just about any amount of snow we might get. So the roads usually dont have too much snow to push through. If it is snowing so hard that it has piled up on the roads making them difficult to travel on then most likely there is a travel warning in effect and you should probably be staying home anyways. With DSC on the car the handling in snow might be better than in a "noraml" sized car. Go for it! After all, you only live once.

 

Oh, I am just LOVING these confirmations!! I remember when I saw one of the first newer minis several years ago - I was on Maui, and the B&B owner where we were staying had this cute little car - I instantly thought what a great car! It was a mini cooper, of course! Then the Italian job came out and I thought - those look like the funnest cars to drive. I have always preferred driving a stick - now I can't wait to try one out, though who knows? We may just get one. Have a good evening! Denise

 

+1.

Haven't you seen the t-shirt??? "IT'S NOT CUTE... IT'S MEAN."

Anyway, I've had two MINI's (an R50 and now an R56) and I loved/love both. Granted, Kentucky and southern Ohio winters probably aren't THAT bad, but so far, I've had no issues driving in cold weather.

I'm also proud to report that other than replacing the clutch in my R50 (at 100k miles) I haven't had to take to the dealer other than for standard maintenance.