We finally had a sizeable snow fall in which to evaluate the All4's snow worthiness.

Overnight, we had 14" of snow. We were out driving around in our X5 with 20" Pirelli Snow and Ice tires. We had absolutely no problem driving around, whether in other vehicles' previous tire tracks, or ploughing into undriven mounds of snow. I have attached some pics to show what the conditions were like. In the early morning, my winter car, a Honda Civic with Nokian WRG2 snow rated all seasons became stuck twice in the deep snow.

When my sales advisor at the local BMW/Mini dealership called to say they finally had an All4 that was ordered with all season rubber, rather than summers, we jumped at the opportunity to try it out in the snow.

We picked up the All4 and my wife suggested taking a long test drive, including coming back to our neighborhood and putting it through its paces in the areas where I had been stuck earlier in the day.

We were both genuinely blown away. The traction control did not come on once. Going around a corner one time, following the tracks in the snow, I had to yield right of way to a vehicle and was forced to drive into completely undriven snow, all 14 inches of it. Not a problem. No mechanical sounds coming from the vehicle, just crazy mountain goat like traction. I even came up with the perfect license plate...MTNGOAT. Ok, well, maybe not.

I tried to get the vehicle stuck in my area, going into successive cul de sacs with fresh snow, as well as looking for mild inclines on roads with plenty of snow and we still had to luck in getting the vehicle stuck.

So, now, we are getting ready to order for an April delivery. Hopefully, by then, the JCW products will be available.

In the meantime, I hope the current owners will keep the information, reviews, and opinions coming.

 

 

Powder snow or wet heavy stuff?

 

Can you give us the VIN from the Countryman? I want to be sure that I DON'T buy it after you tried to trash it. Who does that kind of crap on a test drive?

 

Seriously

Who doesn't put a car thru more than that before buyng.

 

He drove through snow on a test drive, not the Rubicon Trail.

When I was test driving MINIs, I test drove probably 10+ different MINIs (Hardtop Cooper/S/JCW, Clubman Cooper/S, multiple different ones, etc), and I drove them hard. That's the point of a test drive. If you don't drive the Cooper and Cooper S hard, how do you know which one to buy... since the only real difference is acceleration? How do I know the MINI has better driving dynamics than the other cars I test drive if I drive them all like a Grandma?

If you want a virgin car, order one... or buy one right off the truck. Otherwise, expect that someone actually drove the car on a Test Drive, which is for the purpose of TESTING.

 

Sorry, forgot to post them. The snow wasn't really all that wet. The pics were actually taken of our X5, rather than the All4, as they were taken for a post on 20" staggered winter tire performance in another forum.


You might want to reread the original post. "Trash" wasn't used in the write up, nor was it intimated in any way. I can send you the VIN number if it makes you feel better, though.

 

I was more concerned about the paint job guys. Lighten up. If he was plowing through 14" of nice clean fluffy powder probably no harm done. But if it was dirty and heavy...there goes your finish. Having said that, I'm very happy the All 4 did so well! And, yes, I'll take the virgin ahead of the broken in model, thank you.

 

<You might want to reread the original post. "Trash" wasn't used in the write up, nor was it intimated in any way. I can send you the VIN number if it makes you feel better, though.>

OK, ok...I didn't mean to offend! Thanks for sharing. I'll admit it - I'm a Zaino fanatic......nobody touch my car!

 

Ok, no worries. Funny that you mention the paint/finish. When we were done, we circled the lot one and came back upon the test vehicle and looked at it from the front as we drove by it. There was a little bit of snow in the passenger front air duct n the bumper, but other than that, it looked no worse for wear. What left even more of an impression as we looked at the front end as we sat in a SUV was how high up, or crossoverish the CM looked. I certainly find it easy to get into, as compared to a lower vehicle, like the Civic I drive.

 

Yes, the demo cars are meant to be driven with passion.

It is good to know the ALL4 can handle some deep stuff, it makes me feel much better about ours here in the Denver area.

We are getting up to 11 inches of new snow, so our roads will be less than perfect over the next few days.

Good to see everyone is happy again.

 

Found this on you tube. There are 3 videos. I have listed the first one, you can watch all three from this link. All4 works well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNeLr...e_gdata_player

 

Just drove back from Loveland CO after picking up my new Countryman yesterday. I was so impressed with the handling of this car in both powdery and wet slushy snow.

I am one very satisfied customer and super happy with my purchase.

 

That video was awesome!