I live in Bellingham Washington and I'm considering buying a 2002-2005 Mini Cooper, but my friends and family are trying to talk me out of it because they are concerned it will not be able to keep up with my lifestyle. Im a snowboarder, hiker, camper...all that good stuff. I love the mountains, Is a mini going to get me to Mount Baker in the winter? Get me to mountain trail heads in the summer? I have been told they do great in the snow by some people and others say they are lousy. Currently I'm driving a chevy Blazer and that will get me anywhere (when it isnt broken down or out of gas...) but it is just too big and falling apart!

 

If your paranoid try to find one with an LSD, but so far with my open diff I havent had issues. Snow tires are the key to success, I use firestone winterforce tires, which are on the low end and I have NEVER had issues in CT. I bet with blizzaks you would be set.

 

Kelsey, Living in new york I wondered the same thing and people and family tried steering me away from buying one. I snowboard at least once a week and go to Vermont every other week.

The mini is actually very good in the snow. However, with out snow tires, it's a little slippery and hard to go through deep area's.

Goodluck with your decision, going mini, you will love every trip driving to go hiking, ect...

 

I drove back from Mountain Creek in NJ with crappy Eagle runflats before Christmas and got caught in a snow storm. They were gritting, but there was snow everywhere. I just kept it smooth and watched my speed, and everything was fine. Only got squirly if I gassed it hard (only once, to see what would happen).

If you get a Mini, just get a Mont Blanc roof rack and snowboard rack. I didn't want to put a rack on my roof, but it'd be hard to board without it. One other thing to bear in mind, if you take friends boarding and everyone brings their own gear (boots, backpacks, helmets, etc), I think the max number of people you can get in a Mini comfortably is three. Trunk space is not the best. But you can do it and it'll be a lot more fun to drive than an SUV.

 

Kelsey, I have an '03 R53 with snow tires, I drive up the my local mtn a couple times a week and it does fine in the snow and ice. I wouldn't want to drive it on a rough forest service road, but for anything paved it should do fine.

 

I have an '05 Cooper S and I get up to Baker (your neck of the woods!) just fine in the winter. You'll need chains or cables in the heaviest weather, but once cabled up the Mini has no traction issues on the passes. I'd stick with narrower tires over larger tires. I have the stock 16" and wouldn't be interested in trying anything larger.

This is our only car and does all of the snowboarding, backpacking etc. there is to do in the Northwest. Forest roads are a little interesting (but definitely fun)...we have a skid plate on ours that has seen a little bit of use, but no real issues.

Here's a picture up at Baker:

 

The only negative about a MINI in the snow is ground clearance. If the snow is below 4 inches on the road, and you have proper snow tires, you'll love how capable the MINI is in the winter, (even without an LSD).

But, you have to consider how deep the snow gets on your way to the mountains. If it goes more than 4 inches, you're effectively plowing. I would probably err on the side of caution, and therefore recommend something with AWD and higher ground clearance. More cargo capacity probably wouldn't hurt, either, with all the gear that goes along with your activities. That invariably points me to the Subaru camp. Maybe a WRX sportwagon, Outback???

A skid plate underneath, and some tire chains isn't a bad idea.

 

mini's are great in the snow! what makes a good snow car? grip + balance.. so get some good snow tires and the mini comes with balance built in + stability control etc. Clearance can be a bit of an issue, but not really, it depends on what type of roads you drive on... ive never had issues driving up to baker or any mountains in the PNW. you could always get a set of coilovers and raise it in the winter. get a roofrack and youll have an amazing snowboard, camping, anything you want to do car thats fun to drive everyday. you normally see SUV's in the ditch during the winter because they are fat and heavy.. most important part about driving is stopping and staying in control - can't beat the mini in those categories!

 

I drive mine to Blue Mountain here in Canada atleast 2-3 times per week. I have a good set of skinny Blizzak snow tires and I have a blast ripping through snow storms!

Also my car is as low as you can go on BC coilovers too, the front lip is about 2.5 fingers off the ground.

If you are OK with the space I would not let that concern you at all.

 

I've not had any issues driving my R53 in snow and ice with snow tires, except in very deep slush. I just had to slow down a bit.

 

Sorry, I don't drive to Vermont, I live here . Half expected to be winter rat (subie) shopping, but Dunlop Wintersports changed that. Wish I'd had time to take a pic of the time I "plowed" 2-3" of snow on my road to get to work.

Test drive one yet? That'll give you all the buying advice you need

Picture of mine out ON Malletts Bay (Lake Champlain) ~3/4 mile from shore, last winter: