I have a friend in upstate New York who took my MCS for a spin while she was visiting here... Since I just got my car in April I don't have any "snow experience" and can not honestly answer her question. (see below)

Mini update -- went to the dealer yesterday and test drove a Cooper S on the highway. Ran great. Just wish I knew how this adorable little buggy will handle in mean NY snow. The "sales advisor" told me she drove her Mini all winter long without a problem. I want to believe her, but I'd prefer to hear from a Mini owner (advisor or whatever they want to call it -- it's her job to get me in a car). I have to admit, though, I am REALLY leaning towards getting the car. Thanks again for the ride. I think it's so cool that Mini drivers have this bond with their car and each other -- you have to dig that.


Thanks! Laura & Michelle

 

for upstate ny and winter use, i'd put a good set of snow tyres on it.

(i just put a used set of dunlop M3 runflat snow tyres on mine since
i'm heading to the inlaws up by buffalo for turkeyday.

expecting significant lake effects snow this trip )

if you look here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=55409

lot15 gets around in quite extreme snow conditions

 

There are a bunch of us, well, 4 or 5 of us, in northern Vermont that use MINIs year round. I'm a snowboarder and use the MINI to get to the ski areas every weekend. If you're going to try to get around in snow before the roads are plowed clear, you'll need real snow tires (not all-season tires) and enough common sense to know when to slow way down, and when to just stay home.

An all wheel drive car would be better, but the MINI is as good as most other front wheel drive cars. With the DSC (dynamic stability control), it might be one of the better front wheel drive cars in the snow.

 

I have driven my Cooper here in the DC area for the last three winters, not really a great deal of snow. I use the 175/65R15 tires and get along just fine. You must realize after 5" of snopw on the ground, without the road having been plowed, you will be doing the plowing under the MCS. About the best tire for all around snow is theBridgestone Blizzak WS-50. Check Tire Rack. The best thing to do is purchase another set of cheap wheels and keep the snow tires mounted year-round.

Good luck and have fun, no reason to shy away from the snow.....

 

i have the 17" run flats + dunlops and they are really bad in the snow, any accumulation and you need to be really careful with them. in particular they will spin the tires really easy which will give the DSC system fits. if i lived in a heavy snow area i'd make sure to have the 15" wheels with snow tires if i planned to use the MINI everyday.

living in VA and not being able to work from home I can struggle through with my summer setup year round.

 

I live in northern VT near where Snid does his snowboarding. My road is narrow, steep and dirt, and being remote is one of the last roads plowed. With Nokian snows on all four corners I've never had trouble scooting around.

Pete

 

Strange thing! I can't seem to find the "just right" tire. I can't seem to find a Winter Runflat for the 16" wheels. I could probably get around fine with All-seasons, but I've got my summer tires and don't really mind switching.

Any recommendations for 16" winters, runflat if possible?

 

Some winter
other 195/55/16

 

Those are summer tires, he needs winter tires.It seems the only 195/55R16 winter tires that Tire Rack sells are the Continental ContiWinterContact TS810, but they aren't available in runflats. Of course, other winter tires in 195/55R16 do exist, but just not from Tire Rack.

Case in point... if you browse over to the USA site of Pirelli, their Winter 210 Sottozero tire is available in that size (although again, not in runflats). You'd have to find another place to purchase from though. I recommend you try one of the "dealers" for the tires you find. Pirelli lists 138 "dealer locations" in Virginia, including in Annandale, Falls Church, Springfield, Fairfax, etc. Of course they are tire businesses like Tires Plus, NTB, Merchants Tire, etc. but they may be able to order tires that Tire Rack doesn't sell.

Tire Rack is great, but they are by no means a complete list of what is available in the USA! Scavenger, if you REALLY want runflats for your winter tires, I recommend browsing the USA websites of all of the tire manufacturers before you decide.

 

There was a winter tire in that selection. So maybe both of us should "prof" our posts, before we hit the submit button. yes i #@%$ up!!!!

 

Yeh... I'm slightly hesitant on the Continental - I know there good tires, but now that I'm thinking RFT, I still need to look.

I'll do that, I don't mind dealing with a local store if they do a good job and treat me nicely.

Now all we need is some actual SNOW!!

 

My Conti 810s have been really great. They are a little more "sport" oriented than some other winter tires that I've had (great feel, less wiggle), but I'm OK with that :-) I appreciate the 16" size and mine came with some good looking silver steelies from Tire Rack.

All run flats will ride rougher than a non-run flat due to the construction, so I think that most people trade off run-flat performance for smoother ride over typically worse roads in the winter. I keep some tire sealant/inflator in the boot, just in case...

 

He asked for winter runflats, neither of the links you provided gave that... you gave him a summer runflat and a list of winter non-runflats. I don't think my post needed any "proofing", I replied to exactly what your post said (pre-edit).

See, as a matter of fact I know he had already searched Tire Rack, found a lack of 16" winter runflats in 195/55R16 size, and that's why he posted. I know this because he's a good friend of mine who I talk with very frequently.

 

I've searched several tire makers sites and found some additional models, but still not many 16" runflats! Weird!

I don't have the list with me, or I'd post them. Maybe this evening.

 

The only 16" runflat winter tire I've found so far is the Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 EMT, size 195/55/16

It doesn't seem like many folks are using this tire - I certainly haven't seen any articles or reviews on it.

 

Try this link to Mini2

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_wheels_tyres

they reference 3 different runflats

 

I found the Nokian RSI available in 195/55R16 Run Flat... and Nokian is very well renowned for their winter tires - they make the Hakkapeliitta 2.

 

post deleted due to putting foot in mouth

 

post deleted due to putting foot in mouth

Edit: Bleh... misspoke AND double posted? Am I getting old?

 

I currently live in Syracuse, but drive often back to Buffalo to visit family. As you know, these areas are prone to getting some snow fall, (to put it lightly). I have no problem recommending the MINI to anyone for winter driving*, provided that they put on snow tires.

I bought some Bridgestone Blizzaks from the Tire Rack, on their own 15" black steel rims. I replace the wheels myself each spring and fall.

With the snow tires, the MINI might as well be a snowmobile or tank. The thing is great in the snow!!!

Don't worry about driving it in the winter, it'll handle anything that Lake Erie or Lake Ontario can dish out! Trust me, I know from personal experience!

 

In Norway, where I live, we get alot of snow during the winterseason.
The law sais that you have to have snow tires or all-year tires on during the winterseason, if you are driving when it's snow. I don't remeber what tires I'm using, but I've experimented a little with the DSC. Going up steep hills from a stand still, or slow speed, I turn the DSC off, so I have better control on the throttle. I succsessfully climed a the same hill more times with the dsc off, than on. When my tires are worn out, I will get spiked tires, as they are better on ice.
All in all, my MCS suprised me on how good it is in the winter, compared to other front weel drives I've had...

Justin Case
Norway

 

I did the steep, icy hill from a standstill test the first winter with my MINI. With the DSC on, I'd inch forward and the engine speed would drop and drop, eventually falling below idle speed... but the car kept inching forward. Until the grip just gave out and the DSC actually stalled the engine. But that was a worst case scenario. I turned the DSC off, and spun the tires all the way up the hill.

In more "normal" cases, the DSC is great on snowy hills you can get a running start at. Just jam the gas pedal down and let the computer figure it out. It works great for me pulling into the snowy parking lot at the ski area that has an uphill entrance. I always gain on the car in front of me as it spins it's wheels up the entrance and I power up it.

If you have to turn the DSC off to get somewhere in the snow, you should probably just stay home. :D