When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Yep, that salt thing has been a feature here on our roads for about a month on an off. It's mostly on now. I was able to get the Roadster out for a quick ride after the first snow faded away and the roads cleaned up near the end of November, but the last 2 weeks we've had snow every couple or 3 days.
Snowed some today again, making 3 days in a row. That means the super salters have been out in force, so the Roadster is now under its cover in garage until we get a good rain to clean off the roads. If we're lucky we can usually sneak the Mini out for exercise 1 or 2 times a month during the Winter.
Last year we had quite a few clean dry road periods, especially in January and February. It was cold, but it was sunny and dry. The rest of the time, the poor Winter beater gets to take the salt hits.
Haven't had much snow here yet, but my MINI is my go-to winter car right now because it has winter tires and my WRX does not. The WRX has all-seasons, and the treads are getting a little shallow these days.
The road crews here just slather the salt and the even more corrosive chloride products that keep the roads wet down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. I can't bring myself to let the metal oxidize away under the Roadster. If they would ease up on the salt a bit, our cars and roads would last a little longer. I see a lot of very expensive rolling stock being eaten by the Winter salts. Pretty sad. But the road crews have to do it so that drivers (most of them) who refuse to use snow tires can commute at Summer speeds on their worn "all-season" tires. I do get to see a few of them off in the ditch every once in a while.
I live in the foothills of southern Maine, so we get a lot more snow here than say, at the coast most Winters. Been here nearing on 23 years and have sacrificed 3 Winter beaters to the salt gods so far. Driving number 4 the last couple of years and it's holding up pretty well. You can wash the salt off often (I take a sprayer and rinse the underside, especially after a storm when new salt gets spread) and you can pretty much count on rust taking hold anyway. No way to completely stop corrosion from spreading.
Sounds like the dude doing less than 20 mph on the highway last Friday. We got a couple inches of snow in the afternoon, and he had traffic backed up for a mile as people tried to get around him. He was even driving a Subaru.
I washed the MINI yesterday since we got an unusually warm afternoon. Then I put it back in the garage with a cover on it.
Sounds like the dude doing less than 20 mph on the highway last Friday. We got a couple inches of snow in the afternoon, and he had traffic backed up for a mile as people tried to get around him. He was even driving a Subaru.
Happens a lot, unfortunately, and those overly slow movers cause plenty of fender benders and worse. Even half worn "All-Season" tires are nearly useless in slushy snow. Don't understand why there's so much resistance to snow tires. Confident driving on snow is well worth the comparative slight expense, especially when trying to avoid the car-nage that develops out there when the roads get slippy. We've been getting an average 4 seasons out of our snow tires. I figure every time I can get out of a dangerous situation without damage, the snow tires pay for themselves. So far, so good.
Happens a lot, unfortunately, and those overly slow movers cause plenty of fender benders and worse.
Traffic was trying to move at a safe 40-45 because of the weather. I'm sure he caused at least a few incidents with his 18mph reign of terror. The amazing thing to me is, wouldn't you think he would realize he was the problem? Are people really that oblivious to their surroundings? A pile of people passing you, honking at you, and giving you the finger doesn't clue you in?
Originally Posted by MiniRoadstah
Even half worn "All-Season" tires are nearly useless in slushy snow. Don't understand why there's so much resistance to snow tires. Confident driving on snow is well worth the comparative slight expense, especially when trying to avoid the car-nage that develops out there when the roads get slippy. We've been getting an average 4 seasons out of our snow tires. I figure every time I can get out of a dangerous situation without damage, the snow tires pay for themselves. So far, so good.
Cost of time and money. I wouldn't call another $1,000+ dollars for a second set of wheels and tires, "a slight expense." It's probably over $1,500 in most cases. I've never purchased snow/winter specific tires. I just run Firestone Transforce LT tires on my truck, no special snow tires. It is completely controllable in 2WD and generally unstoppable once you put it in 4x4. You just need to start driving a winter car that you don't care if people crash into.
Today I've concluded that I need to spend about $1,000 this winter on MINI parts, and that doesn't even include a set of summer tires... These cars suck.
I purchased a nearly new set of Wheels, sensors and snows for our Countryman for $500, probably could have knocked it down in price. Craigslist is loaded with snow tire/wheel deals especially in the springtime.
Well it was yesterday but after a day trip of over 400 miles along with a whole lot of twisties between Bear Trail Road, Wards Gap Road, Orchard Gap Road, Willis Gap Road, Squirrel Spur Road and a part of 58 between Stuart and Meadows of Dan (all in Virginia), I was beat when I got home.
The gateway to these roads is Mount Airy, North Carolina. The home of Andy Griffith (a guy that made black & white movies/tv before going color with Matlock by which time his hair was gray). Many will say that Mount Airy was Mayberry where Andy Taylor, Aunt Bea and Opie (Ron Howard when he had hair) all lived. Well you know what? There is a Mayberry and I drove through it yesterday. Griffith told people that the name came from a writer that worked on the TV show. Don't know but Mayberry is only about 14 miles from Mount Airy as the crow flies.
Are people really that oblivious to their surroundings? A pile of people passing you, honking at you, and giving you the finger doesn't clue you in?
Yes, people are THAT oblivious. They're that stupid. No, it doesn't clue them in. Even if it does, there's plenty of people who do it anyway. I have a friend who NEVER leaves the left lane of the highway and drives ~60mph. I also have extended family that is petrified of driving on the tollway. Refuses to do it. Ever. One thing I have learned in my short time here - never overestimate people's intelligence.
Originally Posted by Derek86
Cost of time and money. I wouldn't call another $1,000+ dollars for a second set of wheels and tires, "a slight expense." It's probably over $1,500 in most cases. I've never purchased snow/winter specific tires. I just run Firestone Transforce LT tires on my truck, no special snow tires. It is completely controllable in 2WD and generally unstoppable once you put it in 4x4. You just need to start driving a winter car that you don't care if people crash into.
Today I've concluded that I need to spend about $1,000 this winter on MINI parts, and that doesn't even include a set of summer tires... These cars suck.
Your $1k assessment is a little high, but not terribly. Tires aren't an every year thing, though. They're 3+ seasons. So $333/year for significantly better handling and safety. Plus that cost will go down once people have a set of steelies to put on. I'll never drive through winter without snow tires ever again - they're that much better.
Yes, people are THAT oblivious. They're that stupid. No, it doesn't clue them in. Even if it does, there's plenty of people who do it anyway. I have a friend who NEVER leaves the left lane of the highway and drives ~60mph. I also have extended family that is petrified of driving on the tollway. Refuses to do it. Ever. One thing I have learned in my short time here - never overestimate people's intelligence.
I appreciate that your family member understands their limitation. You're friend on the other hand wouldn't be my friend anymore. You could have the opposite political opinions from me and I'm cool. If you sit in the left lane at 60mph, you aren't someone I'm willing to associate with.
Originally Posted by CSP
Your $1k assessment is a little high, but not terribly. Tires aren't an every year thing, though. They're 3+ seasons. So $333/year for significantly better handling and safety. Plus that cost will go down once people have a set of steelies to put on. I'll never drive through winter without snow tires ever again - they're that much better.
Maybe it is where I live, but cheap wheels here are hard to come by. I did not factor in the multiyear use, that does make it more economical. I still think I'd rather keep the salt off my car and buy a winter beater instead.
I shipped my headlights to a place in Arkansas to retrofit the DRL LED on my Spec-D F56-style headlights I retrofitted last summer with Morimoto Mini H1's. This is the picture he sent me today. Metallic black paint, with Chili Red paint on the shrouds.
The goal is to retrofit the eyelid LED DRL, into the 360 GP Concept LED, with switchback capabilities, and sequential turn signal. I can't wait to see how they turn out. I'll keep ya posted, and once I get the headlights back, I will do a video showing off the new 360 LED with the turn signal in action.
So the retrofitter sent me this video showing me his progress on my headlights. You can see the sequential turn signal in action.
Next step is he will close the gap at the bottom as best as possible to make it a closed loop. Hopefully he can make it happen. I can’t wait to get them back.
So the retrofitter sent me this video showing me his progress on my headlights. You can see the sequential turn signal in action.
Next step is he will close the gap at the bottom as best as possible to make it a closed loop. Hopefully he can make it happen. I can’t wait to get them back.
OK, I might have a problem.... I just bought ANOTHER MC40 (#81 I think) needs work, but it has the JCW engine kit but won't be a driver for a month or two, lots to do.
