Greetings everyone. I'm 99% sure i'll be buying a mini soon but i have a couple of concerns I'm wondering about.

1. Snow performance: I live in Madison, WI, and snow happens during the winter. I've read some posts saying the mini's perform beautifully, and some posts that say the complete opposite. If anyone would elaborate I'd really appreciate it. I love driving in snow, i just want to make sure she'll even go.

2. Price increase?: Can anyone shed some light on the price increase i've heard about on the forums here? Also any chance I'll get it below MSRP?

3.Dealership (a local question): Can anyone give me any insight to their experiences with international mini in milwaukee? They seem like a bunch of nice guys, but i just want to check.

I'd really appreciate any input i can get from you folks. Part of what is drawing me to the awesome vehicle is the awesome community that seems to have developed around it. It reminds me of my dad's old jeep, and how all the jeep owners would look out for each other. Also if anyone from the Madison area Mini group could drop me a line, i'd love to get more information about your organization.
Thanks in advance!
-Ion

 

I can't help you with all your concerns. I got my MINI in July 04 and have two winters under my belt. I just have allseason tires on it and haven't had a problem with it, I even pushed snow with the aero kit once and it did ok. Hope you buy you will love it if you do.

 

Welcome to NAM!
Snow handles great, but A) you must know what you are doing, B) you will probably end up turning off the traction control ASC or DSC C) All-seasons work, but real snow tire are best suited when things get messy D) I have the LSD ohh that helps big time.
I had a wonderful experiance at Kanuz 1/2 hour further south, don't know anything about international
Hope this helps, sorry don't know anything about the price increase

 

Here's the details on the price increase:
http://motoringfile.com/2005/11/09/m...006/#more-4462

Takes affect with all cars wholesaled to dealers after March 1.

 

1. If I can get around in an S2000 in Utah, I think you'll do fine in the MINI, as long as you have experience in the snow you'll be fine.

2. Yep, price increase after March 1st...and no, your chances are slim to none on getting it below MSRP. Although, they are insatlling my floor mats for free...

3. Not local...

Good luck with your oder!

 

I live in Wisconsin also, I've had my MINI since April 15, 2003. Snow is not a problem. I think the type of tire you use makes a difference, but still I know my tires are not the optimal winter tire, I've had no problems, I'm using the Goodyear runflats. Make sure you order the ASC, or DSC, wonderful feature.

I have nothing but good things to say about International Autos, they've been very fair with me, and now my Mom has even purchased a MINI.

I have no idea about price increases, you probably should speak directly to one of the MA's at IA. Get it oredered so you can join us at Minis on the Dragon in May!

 

I don't have my MINI yet - next weekend (groan....) - but I am immediately having dealer put a set of 17' Bridgestone Blizzak Run-flats on the bullet rims that came with the Sport package and have also ordered a set of JCW 18" rims and "high performance summer" tires for warmer weather. If you can afford the "two wheel set option", you should be able to take on most snow up to a 4" or so depth (though I hear that MINIs are excellent snowplows too...) Not sure I am a fan of swapping snow tires on and off the same set of rims every year.

From the research I did, most "all seasons" will do fine in normal plowed snow conditions in most parts of the country while "high performance" rubber is not advised for any winter condition. If you expect to take on unplowed snow, or real mush and ice conditions - and you probably will since I think you are living deep in the snow belt - then the snow tire option is probably best. With the Blizzaks I have heard the MINI described as "a little tank".

There are good debates on snow tires in the tire section of the forums - I think that the normal "run flat" choices boil down to the Bridgestone Blizzaks and a set offered by Pirelli. My perception was that the Pirellis offer better performance road feel while the Blizzaks grab the road better but feel softer and mushier and probably wear out sooner. I will save my "extreme motoring" demands for dry roads and went with the Blizzaks. I believe that there are a few other possible snow tires - that might not be "run flats" - available as well. Check out the Tire Rack web site also.

From my reading over the past few months, I have read of MANY more people applauding the snow and ice performance of MINIs than slamming it - even against SUVs.

If you REALLY want to see what MINIs do in the winter, visit this very cute promotion from the Canadian MINI site.....

http://www.mini.ca/

Happy motoring !!

Bill

 

Thanks for all of the info. It definitley seems like two sets of wheels/tires will be the way to go. Definitley appreciate all of the great advice. So now the next question is which color do I want? I'm pretty sure I'll be going with an S, we'll see what the bank says

 

i asked the same snow handling question...... i'm super happy with it it handles very good in the snow

 

Best run-flat snow tire is the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 (M3s are OEM on Porsches)

We have these tires on my wife's "S" and she says it handles the snow better than her Jeep Liberty ever did (until it gets too deep !!).