Well, will there ? Tell your up to date knowledge about what you think or know.

 

Nice concept but would make for an awefully heavy car. I think it is doable, I am not sure if I would want to have AWD in a MINI.

 

yeah i thnk coop is right, if you really need awd, check out the audi/bmw station wagons..:smile:

btw this thread talks about 4 wheel drive mini check it out
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...light=awd+mini

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"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and those who buy by price alone are this man's lawful prey."-John Ruskin

 

No.

Don't think it'll happen,
wouldn't want one.

 

I actually think BMW needs a AWD 260+ mini for the WRC.
I just believe BMW want to win there in 2005 2006.

 

The reason I wishfully got my hopes up was because I like my MINI and want to keep it. Let me explain: soon in my life I will need to go up to Eire PA for school. My parents want my car to be AWD b/c it snows a lot there. I really like the MINI and don't want the personality of an audi/BMW if I can avoid it. It's not definite that my parents would make me sell it, but they'd be much happier to let me go to school there. I know it's wishful thinking, but I thought maybe someone heard about MINI producing a AWD version someday. I wondered if this may be a possibility b/c a lot of cars are becoming AWD lately (Jag x, multiple BMWs, Merc Bs, and ford wants the next gen taurus to be AWD). Oh well, guess I'll look for some snow tires or ...

 

Winter in Eire? You'd better look for more than just snowtires! That's some really nasty weather in that area!

 

>>I actually think BMW needs a AWD 260+ mini for the WRC.
>>I just believe BMW want to win there in 2005 2006.

I believe the MINI is too short to qualify for WRC, sorry about that.

 

I wonder if drifting is having an effect on the AWD or RWD market? Perhaps the car companies are being mislead by the increase in sales in AWD automobiles....can't imagine anyone taking out a Taurus in the next Drift Challenge here in Hawaii! Most of my friends are buying WRXs or early model Nissans to drift because they are AWD or RWD respectively.

Pardon my ignorance, but besides it being good for driving in the snow, what else benefits do AWD automobiles offer? I don't know that much about this kind of stuff, please educate me!

 

Well, for one it provides better traction--and just not in snow--on pavement. For example, the DSC in MINI now only has effect on the front two drive wheels. If one starts to slip it transfers the torque from the spinning one (brakes it) to the wheel of the opposite axle. On an AWD car this concept can be used by all wheels, providing more traction. I'm not saying MINI needs more traction, but I'm just providing another attribute of AWD.

Moorlockx-I know about the weather in Eire and that's what makes me sad. I really want to keep my MINI.

 

Ahhhhhh.....I see. In that case, AWD would be cool. Too bad for you folks who have to deal with snow and bad weather. Here in Hawaii, the weather is always perfect for motoring.

AWD, cool idea.

 

Hawaii's great...it's paradise.

 

>>I believe the MINI is too short to qualify for WRC, sorry about that.

So was the Peugot 206 at one time...

 

I can"t wait to see a MCS with AWD in WRC on ESPN!!!!!!!!OK

 

If BMW decides to get involved to WRC they will probably use the new 1 Series that comes next year.It's longer and wider, so better for WRC.So, no 4WD Mini.

 

>>Well, for one it provides better traction--and just not in snow--on pavement. For example, the DSC in MINI now only has effect on the front two drive wheels. If one starts to slip it transfers the torque from the spinning one (brakes it) to the wheel of the opposite axle. On an AWD car this concept can be used by all wheels, providing more traction. I'm not saying MINI needs more traction, but I'm just providing another attribute of AWD.

So here is the basic question.

What does one need AWD for?
What does the MINI now do that is not met with AWD?
What will it take to make the MINI AWD?

Ready? Please add in since I don't have to deal with bad weather much at all in Hawaii.
(but in my past life I spent 4 years in Colorado,5 winters in Chicago, and 4 years in CA)

What does one need AWD for?
To aid in traction when road surfaces are less than adequate (rough uneven terrain, trails, cross country, off road, mountainous trips, slippery surfaces, ice, heavy rain, residue on roads, steep inclines, very curvy, crossing over water/debris/rocks/trees, and no road).
There is some added safety to control your car and not get stuck as easily. You still need to know how to drive using AWD or you can get into trouble. Take a Land Rover driving school class- slow but sure travel.

What does the MINI now do that is not met with AWD?
With my MINI (with ultra performance non runflat tires and upgraded suspension) I have good traction in dry or wet, excellent cornering under any speed, smooth ride which is rough only on uneven surfaces. So on road use only and no snow. With AWD you'd expect a different tire and wheel set up more for grip on even ground (not flat) and higher ground clearance so heavier total weight, poorer gas mileage, with slower speeds.

What will it take to make the MINI AWD?
AWD will add lots of complexity to the car in drivetrain/transmission/ suspension and add lots of weight.
You will have to beef up power/torque just to keep up. Congratulations, now you have a MINI Jeep with high road clearance and higher center of gravity so you start loosing some of the handling characteristics that make the MINI a MINI. Oh well. Is that progress?

I think I'll keep my MINI. If I need AWD I can look at Audi or Subaru.

 

fwd is excellent in snow and the mini handles beautifully. just slap on some narrow blizzaks and drive.

 

I guess I could try the snow tires and see how it goes right? If it's too bad, I'll just lie to my parents and tell them that it's fine anyways . I really want to keep the MINI, it doesn't look like AWD is a possibility, and snow tires are the best option for now. I think I'll just motor on and see how it goes.

 

keep the car

dont worrry about it

if its really bad..put it in the garage..and walk (thats waht i do)

but dont sell it for snow

screw practicality

the mini laughs in the face of practicality

*insert evil laugh* muaahhhahhahaha

 

Ok, an easy way to do it is to use the cvt coop and take a whole fwd, engine, suspension and tranny off another cvt and mount in the rear, Then you get a 4wd 8 cylinder coop. And 230 hp before even working on modding the engine. and weight balance like a barbell.

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My MCS did really well in the snow--with the stock 16" runflats I was still able to power up a hill that a big ol' Ford truck was sliding down, backwards.

You'll be fine--if you're living on campus (I make frequent brave assumptions) then you really won't use a car all that much, anyway. So you could just avoid driving for the day or so it'll take to clear the roads after a big snow. And they know how to handle big snows, so you won't be buried in your dorm/apartment/whatever for weeks on end.

Just remind your parents that the world still turns for those of us without 4wd/AWD



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