Hey,

I'm looking at buying a mini very shortly but one major question I have is how do they handle winters (I live in Chicago). Is it hella fun, or is it death on wheels?

Thanks guys!

 

My 2002 MINI Cooper loved snow. I had a set of fifteen inch wheels for it with snow-capable tires and spider spikes. It could go through almost anything. Front-wheel drive cars are quite capable in snow with the right tires and when you drive slowly.

 

This says it all.

 

Depends on where in CHGO.... are you in the city or burbs??? this was my 2nd winter and I've had no problems at all

btw.. click my sig for CMMC

 

Blimeycabrio,

No wonder the kid can't sleep. After seeing this video, and already having owned Minis for the past 4 years... I don't think I'll be able to sleep either.

Yikes!

BTW, Welcome to NAM wwwjscom. Equipped with the right tires, Minis are great in the snow. They do have low clearance, and so I wouldn't be trying to plow through 12" or more of fresh snow... unless it was that beautiful 16 degree F powdery kind--then it's a blast.

 

I drove my R53, lowered 1.5", through 3 snowy Michigan winters with not even a hint of trying to get stuck. I used snow tires the first two, and 18" all seasons the 3rd! I knew it was a bad snowstorm when snow would pour over the top of the bonnet...the MINI is a proverbial snow plow! Rock it!

 

Extreme fun all the way! With DSC and a set of Nokian WR's my MINI is unstoppable!

 

15" wheels with winter tires make the MINI a tank. I would not recommend the all seasons or runflats at all for winter.

 

I presume you're speaking for those who live in the far North? Most of the places I've lived get a few to several days of snow every Winter .. and sometimes a little Ice. Most areas of the country are like that or milder. I've always used all season tires on my Corvairs, Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Audis, Saabs, etc. No problems. And the only time I ever used my chains (I used to carry them) was one time when I linked them together to pull someone out of a ditch.

I can't help but believe that my new Mini Cooper S will fare no worse .. And probably better based on comments I've been reading on these forums. Also .. This car, among other things, has the most acronyms (ABS, DSC, etc) of about any car on the road. Those acronyms definitely pay off with, for instance, their ability to get you back on track by braking individual wheels when your car decides it wants to get a little mischievious out on those snowy roads.

 

True, but there is no substitute for winter tires. The first winter that I had my X5, it had Michelin all season tires. It was truly scary in 3" of snow. It has ABS/DSC/AST and what the MINI does not have: XDrive all wheel drive. The next winter, I put on Dunlop Wintersport Tires. Nothing would stop the X5 with the Dunlops. Bottom line is that you can have every electronic & mechanical device that there is, but if you have no grip, you have nothing.

I've already purchased a set of 16" S-Winders that I will run in winter, with Dunlop Wintersport non-runflats.

 

Brilliant…

Should be nominated for a Clio Award if there is a Web category!

 

Can't compare to an AWD, but about as good as you can get in 2WD, of course, even better with winter tires. Biggest problem will be low ground clearance against deep snow.

 

TireRack is giving two different sizes for winter tires that fit on the 15" rims. I have an 07 Mini with 15" rims and would like to get the same but maybe opt for less expensive rims than the Mini dealer rims. Tirerack is suggesting either 195/60/15 or 185/65/15. The 195's would raise the car a bit, right? Any experience out there with the Blizzak Revo's? They are the cheapest offered by Tirerack.

Thank yoU!

Laura

 

I am not going to let that crazy woman near my car--summer or winter.

Joe

 

If you are staying with 15s, get the narrower tire, as it cuts thru the snow more easliy.

I've never had a problem in snow with any of my Mini/MINIs, and have never used snow tires, either. I grew up in NE Ohio [snowbelt] and now live in western Ohio, where we also get a lot of ice and slush.

 

I live in Syracuse, NY, and drive often to Buffalo NY to visit family. Therefore, I have 3 words for you:

"Lake-Effect Snow"

Massive amounts of snow are quite common for me, and my commute. I put 15-inch steel wheels, with Bridgestone Blizzak tires on, and my MINI is an absolute tank in the winter time. I am amazed at its' sure-footedness. It really is incredible.

The only issue is ride height. Even in its' stock ride height, your front air dam will hit any snow deeper than say 4 inches.

But still, very great in the snow with the proper tires.

 

As has been said SNOW TIRES on all 4 corners. I run 15" Holies with 185/65/15 Nokian Hakka 2 tires. The MINI goes great with them.

 

I live in Chgo area. Had an 04 Cooper on all season non-rf tires and it was great in snow.

Hopefull the 07 MCS will do as well.

 

I guess snow tires make sense and people living in heavy snow areas are right to swear by them. I no longer live in a heavy snow area, though, so all season tires are good enough for me. Heck, we have had some big snows the last coupla years, and I was running my runflats with no real problems. Now that I have these all seasons, I can hardly wait to see if they will be as good.