I bought my first Minicooper in September of this year and I love it. I was wondering how well it does on ice and snow. Mine has 16 inch Goodyear Eagle run flats on it.

Thanks,
Jean111

 

It does excellent, there are a few threads going. All-seasons are generally ok when we have more cold than snow, winters are a bit better and snows handle the tough stuff best. Take it easy, don;t go to deep, but they hold up better than most out there. The worst part is controlling the urge to turn on the garden hose while its 15 degrees and snowing to get the road salt off of my beautiful paint.

 

Hey Jean111... what do you want to know???

This will be winter #2 for my MCC. Do you remember the snow storm right before Xmas last year??? I was a little apprehensive when I pulled out of the lot that evening. Everyone else (including SUV's) were slipping and sliding all over Golf Rd that night. No slow plows or salt to be seen since they were busy trying to keep the expressways clear... you should have seen this VW Beetle

Me and my little green machine simply hopped from light to light... no problems at all. I wasn't worried about how the MINI would handle, I was more worried about everyone else on the road.

I drove a Saturn for 10 years and winter was nerve wracking. The best thing about driving the Saturn was it made me a better driver in bad weather because of how poorly it handled. I've been complemented by passengers on how safe they felt when I drove the Saturn in the snow.. even more so in the MINI

 

I can second the learning experiance from Saturn. The MINI was the first time I had tread in the winter

 

Why is it good in the snow/ice?

 

I happen tohave the LSD so I simply **** off the computer aids let the differential lock up and it goes where I point it, the car gives lots of feedback to the driver so I can sense when I'm going to break traction before its and issue, and its FWD so the wheels will stay planted longer the an RWD cars.

 

Sorry to appear stupid here, but I have no idea what LSD is.

 

LSD is Locking Center Differential. It makes both front wheels spin at the same time. If you don't have it only one wheel will spin when you get stuck in the snow. But with the traction control you will be fine. The car adjusts for you and just keeps on going.

 

Our friends in WI can probably give better feedback on real snow/ice... in Chicagoland, the streets are pretty clear.. for the most part. Black-Ice is my biggest fear Certain 'burbs don't plow very well also.

As Motor On said.. FWD, LSD, DSC... a balanced stance helps. I feel I have more control. The MINI goes where you point it in the snow.

You'll probably read many opinions on whether snow tires are necessary for winter driving. It's really up to you if you want to do that. I don't have the room or money for a 2nd set of seasonal tires. I use the run-flats.

 

Thanks PM... I type too slow

^^ what he said --- LSD (Limited Slip Differential) when your wheels start to slip (like at a green light after a stop), the wheels slow down to gain traction. If you drive manual, it feels like you're going to stall the car. You have to get used to that sensation, but it works great

 

Sorry I tend to ramble in abbreviations, I've been up before the plows or out late at night before they are out so I'm used to dealing with 4 ins or so on the major roads, if you take a look in MINI talk there is a thread with lots of general tips about driving MINIs in the snow.

 

I've got an automatic mini so I understand LSD isnt available for automatics so I'll have to depend on traction control.

 

It's a good system then , just remember to drive with a metephorical egg between your feet and the pedals, and make sure you give your self plenty or room.

What was the last (or some of the) car(s) you've driven in the winter?

 

Isn't that what the L is for?

 

Jean, and all 1st snow MINI owners,

The best thing for us all is to leave the computer on to do what the computer was designed too do. Now I'm an old school driving kinda guy, but LOVE MY DSC!! TC for the autos.

After the 1st snow I go find a parking lot that I know is wide open, with no parking bumpers on the ground and "test" my tires, to refresh myself with how my MINI and tires will work in the snow. It's fun to slide around, and also helpful to know what the MINI will do and not do.

How do I "test", I run upto 30mph and slam on the brakes, I make a few turns at speed, to see how far the tires push out, and also hit the brakes in the turn. Be sure to turn left and right.

Most of all, I make sure the wiper fluid is FULL with the best, RainX winter, so I can see what the people are doing behind me, thats my greatest fear, is getting rear ended.

 

I have ASC not DSC so my situation is a little different, but with the computer on I often find it being counter productive to gaining traction, as it does not allow the locking differential to function, snow and ice is what caused the habit of shutting off the computer upon starting the car to develop.

Each to his own, do what oyu need to be safe.
True dat!!!!!

 

Been there... People have been stopping sooner and further away since i've installed the MyMini 3rd brake light mod...

 

What is a 3rd brake light mode? Sorry for all the questions..

Jean111

 

I will second that big time.

Jean, it's the brake light mod located in the bumper....

 

here's the part itself : http://www.myminiparts.com/proddetai...od=MMBLK&cat=9

there's a black space in the rear bumper that used to be the reverse light on early model MINI's. With the part above, you can get an extra brake light. If you didn't opt for the rear fog light, you can use this part.

 

Amazingly I have that third brake light already on my car. That's good.

 

Is it set up as just a rear fog, or did you wire it up to light when you press the brakes, the rear fog will only be on when you flip a switch in the cabin (and should really be left on when in inclement weather) you can modify it to come on with the brakes as well.

And its more of a 4th brake light mod

 

I've had my '03 S for over 4 years now, we're about to start our fifth winter together.

My first 'upgrade" was a set of alloy wheels mounted with Blizzak snow tires; I ordered them about a month after the October delivery of my MINI S.

I've since come to learn there are better snows out there but the Bridgestone's are decent if a bit squirmy when it's dry.

I'd driven SAABs for many years, learned to trust the value of dedicated snows for winter driving. You can get by with all-season (Run-Flats in the case of the MINIs) but for trustworthiness (I drive 85 miles round-trip, five days a week to work) nothing beats snow tires on all four corners when it's 3 pm and been snowing for four hours and traffic's a b***h.

Your run flats will last longer too, being on the car for only half of each driving year.

Biggest hassle (in Chicago driving) is the salt: whether it's mixed with snow or just left laying about once the snow's gone, beware the telltale white stain on the pavement as it attracts moisture and will be as slick as ice whenever you encounter it. Nothing helps but a good toad-strangling downpour to wash it off.