I just bought the most beautiful 2005 Mini. I have wanted one forever! It handles like a dream. However I am from up-state N.Y. and am worried about winter driving. Please if someone could let me know how it handles in snow and or frost conditions I really would appreciate it.

 

Congratulations and welcome. Not that we have as bad of winter as you do, but most people in the know say that with some winter shoes, the MINI does great!

 

Designed by a German firm (Northern Europe). Built in England (not known for nice weather)

Um, yah. It'll hold up.

 

As the proud owner of a "classic" MINI 2005, you have an excellent motoring investment. Check my gallery sometime. Minnesota gets a bit of snow and this link sold me on the MINI as my vehicle of choice for everyday driving.


http://www.mini.ca/en/More_MINI/Wint...g/default.aspx


If you got the runflats, consider dumping them by the fall. I opted for the 15" holie design with Conti All Season tires. (There are other excellent strictly snow tires if you want to alternate winter and summer times.) I went for year-round rubber and these work great for me. The smaller wheel helps minimize snow packing in the wheel wells.

I did bog down when we got over 8 inches, but managed to stay atop the white stuff and pull through. Handling is impeccable! You won't believe it. Keep you DSC on, unless your slipping in an incline from a stop.

Many fellow winter motorers may weigh in on this topic, plus a search will yield many great pieces of advice and opinions. Enjoy your ride-welcome to the best motoring years you will ever have!

 

^^^ x2

Get yourself a second set of rims with good winter tires, and you're laughing.

 

Just to echo what's already been said, Yes. Having the traction enhancing goodies will give you slightly more headroom for safe fun, IMO, but the non DSC & LSD equipped MINIs I test drove in freezing rain/sleet and icy roads felt pretty stable and sure footed w/o. Your only concern should be clearance as long as you keep within reasonable limits.

I've done just fine over the past couple of winters w/ the OE Goodyear Eagle RSA run-flats in the winter months (not a very good tire for any season, IMO). We don't have the most intense winters here, but we usually get at least 3-4 decent snowfalls a year w/ anywhere from 4-24" and a good share of freezing rain/slush. Once the AS run flats are toasted, I will probably go to Blizzak LM-25s for winter use.

 

Where in Upstate are you from? I originally hail from Syracuse. If you are anywhere near there, you should choose dedicated snow tires anyway. All seasons are pointless in the kinda snow they get, and summer tires are a joke.

 

Northern Wisconsin here.

Snow, check.
Cold, check.
A 2005 MINI as my daily driver, check.

It does great in cold and snow!

I have Blizzak snow tires on, and the only day I didn't make it to school due to snow was also the only day my campus has closed in like forever for having too much snow - OK, so the MINI didn't make it, neither did anyone else.

Hopefully you have the heated seats...they are nice.

 

Folks I was online checking snow tire/wheel packages and frankly I was surprised the prices hadn't dropped since I looked a few months ago - I thought vendors would want to get rid of any snow tires they might have in their inventory at this point. Any recommendations - should I make the purchase now or wait until fall or early winter?

 

+1 No problemo.

 

Hmmm.... Built by the same northern European company that builds the 3 series, a notorious no-go in snow (except for the ix 4x4).

However, with DSC and all-season tires, the MINI performs on slippery surfaces quite well. In New York, I would recommend full fledged snow tires.

 

Winter in Vermont. I would agree with everyone else 2nd set off rims and snow tires.

 

Aloha and welcome to NAM.

What have you done for winter wheels and tires in the past?

For the MINI if interested in winter wheels and tires then email or call Alex@tirerack.com for more info-
See the 2007 version of this in the fall:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=30473

Front well drive and winter tires usually will give you the best winter traction. Just change to winter wheels when ready- talk to your friends and neighbors who do change wheels and in the spring change back to three season tires.

 

Just put Toyo winters on 16" Mini factory rims I bought used off Kijiji. Traction is amazing however, unless you are driving on packed down snow, the front end acts like a snowplow in any snow over 4-5 inches. I'm very concerned about ramming a hunk of snow into my oil cooler or even worse, pulling the lower rad hose off which is only 4 inches off the ground. How come nobody has every commented on this issue. Am I being paranoid ( I love that song)

 

Good idea with the snow tires.

I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60's from Tire Rack on my '05 Cooper.
I stepped down to 15 inch wheels when building my MINI for many reasons.
Now I have 2 sets of white "holies" (the other has all season Conti's)

As far as clearance, that is my only other problem since traction is fantastic!

My MINI mostly "climbs" the snow and rides on top of it, rather than plowing.

When in deep snow, it can bog you down, but I avoid blasting into that hard crusty stuff 'cos it's just like hitting a brick wall-not good for the undercarriage!!

Be gentle since that white stuff is not always powder soft!