I have had my mini for about 2 months now and was just wondering how other handle in the rain. Mine is terrible, riding to work this morning, it went over to the other lane while I was driving. Thankfully no one was in that lane. It has really shimmied alot another time in the rain with the cruise control on. Was wondering of others experiences and what will happen when it snows.

 

I've only had mine for like 5 days now, but it has rained like 3 times and no problems here. Was doing like 75/80 on the highway in the rain with no problems. No cruise control though.

 

I just drove about 200 miles in the pouring rain(so bad the interstate was slowed down to 30 mph in places and hail) and ive never had so much control in a vehicle during a massive rain storm. I drove a Ford Ranger before this and let me tell you, that thing was scary when the road is wet. My MINI never spun a wheel even going 80+ in the heavy rain and wind nor did the DTC light come on.

 

My 03' was great in the rain, even on very worn run flats it kept its grip. I havn't had to take my 09' out in the rain yet, so I can't comment on the 2nd gen.

 

So seems everyone else has no problem, but I was doing about 60-65 this morning and got pretty scared by it and the time before. Anyone have any idea why it would handle so poorly compared to others.

 

I drove an 89 buick in a heavy storm and I'm not sure it touched the ground the whole way home, really scary.

 

Which tires did you get? Did you get the summer peformance run-flats? Or the all season run-flats?

 

My car does great in the rain, I don't have the stock tires anymore though.

 

Old tires?

Summer tires designed for dry weather only?

 

i'd say you need to sort out tires....sounds like a classic tire issue. if you're not familiar with how much of an impact tires can make yet, when you do replace those you'll understand.

the road could also be a factor. if your in an area that hasn't had rain recently roads can be bad. i drove in l.a. one time and had an awful time cause i was told there isn't much rain? whatever the reason. the road wasn't rubbered in. then too if youre on a crappy road water can settle in areas making the whole thing bad at speed.

i'd suggest, if you're really that uncomfy, a good all season tire. maybe the bridgestone pp 960 as or michelin exalto as or pilot sport as...go to tirerack and your questions will be answered on each car. look for the higher end all seasons

i've just been in the know for a few years. litterally transformed a c350, ml500, and e500...got on a kick...i'm still doing the oem runflats which i hate but am waiting till i can't wait to throw away 800$ on good rubber

sorry about the long post...just had a lot of coffee to get going this morn!

 

I have the run flats, the standard continental tires that came with it I guess

 

I have seen recomendations not to use cruise control when conditions are slick. My R56 MCS seems very stable in the heavy rainstorms we have in my area. I'm running Cooper M+S runflats.

 

cocopud- I have a 1st gen Cabrio but I think the wet road issue isn't specific to the new Cabrio so I thought I would reply.

First, I NEVER drive with cruise control on in the rain. There's no feedback through the gas pedal to let me know that I might be ready to hydroplane.

Second, I do NOT have runflats. I have non-runflats and that made a HUGE difference in driving and feeling of control. My tires are Goodyear (I think) and they are specially made for wet conditions and yet, still great for dry roads as well. On the original runflats I felt like I was all over the road.

About 8 years ago I was in an accident with my Lexus. I had lived in Florida for about 2 years. I grew up in Maine driving on roads that were wet and curvy, covered with wet leaves, black ice and snow (and I always drove fast!). But on this particular day of my wreck it was hardly raining at all. I still remember driving on the highway and this car merging on the highway (in another Lexus) spun out and hit the guardrail. He kept driving. Less than a 1/4 mile from that there was another person that had slammed into the guardrail and the ambulance was there. And then all of a sudden I was spun around and heading backwards at about 65mph into the Oleander Trees in the median! We weren't hurt but there was a lot of damage.

So my point in telling you about the accident was to express my issues/fear with driving in the rain. I still see people fly past me though... I am now always more concerned that THEY will be the ones that lose control of their vehicles. You know... until it happens to you... .

When I got the 1st Cabrio the runflats would tram on every line and bump in the road and it really freaked me out. I was especially afraid when driving in the rain because of this. We got non-runflats and that made such a dramatic difference.

When we got the 2nd Cabrio, we drove from Texas to Florida. THAT's when I realized how much I took my NON-runflats for granted. Thankfully I wasn't forced to drive through any rainstorms but I DID have to drive on some wet roads following those storms. I truly felt like I was sliding all over the place. I made it home fine, but within the first two weeks, I had my GOOD non-runflats put on my new car.

Right now I still have both Cabrios... so I can make a direct comparison... you know, just in case I forget.

Hope this helps.

 

I was always told to never ever use the Cruise Control when it is raining because like Miniola said " You lose control of the car if it Hydroplanes. I don't know why they don't tell people that in the owners manual. My guess is they think people already know about it.
As far as run flat tires in the rain I don't think most of them are bad at all. I have been using runflats on my cars for the past 15 years or so with no problems at all. Living in Florida I can tell you I know about RAIN. I think the big problem with run flat tires is that they get very noisy when they are 3.4 worn out.
When it is raining hard all you need to do is slow down a little and keep your eye's open for the people that don't.
Ronnie948

 

1. never use cruise control in rain or snow. The cruise control will try to keep the car going when the tires loose traction and that will make any slipping worse as the engine applies more power and the DSC tries to compensate.

2. the road surface. if it has not rained for a long period of time the oils and other chemicals that end up on the road can make them very slippery when the road surface gets wet.

3. unevan road surface. The term Tramlinig is what they call the movement of the car when the road has ruts or dips in the same direction of travel. Much better explained here http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47 or google it. I have this alot on one section of hiway I travel.

4. Wrong kind of tires for the conditions. Although you stated that you have the Continental tires and I believe those are all season. If they are High Performance Summer tires like the Dunlops on my car then they are not so good in the rain they are made more for dry conditions.

5. one or more bad tires, this could happen for many reasons, i.e. pot hole, bad manufacturing, improper mounting etc.

6. incorrect alignment on vehicle. Many come in from the factory out of spec

Anyone else have a few more idea's

 

A driving course would probably be a good idea!!!!
Ronnie948