So long story short, I'm going to be PCSing (moving) to Spokane, WA here in the next few months. From my understanding the summers there are warm/hot and the winters are cold and snowy. I'm not worried about the summers because most of use can drive just fine on clear sunny days, NOW on the other hand theres the snow... I have driven in the snow maybe 5 times once in the Mini. my Mini is lowered on pss9s and is stuck at the monster truck height of 2.5" off the front splitter.

SO to wrap things up how does the Mini do in the snow and what should I do to get ready for its first true winter, aside from a nice winter wax/sealant? what are some good tires and stuff like that.

Thanks again

 

Phantom,
An early welcome to Spokane, always great to have more MINIs in this area. This winter was very mild never had to put the winter tires on. Last year was another story.
We got around just fine in our 03 MCS with studless snow tires up to about 10" of snow, until the snow got to heavy to push. As for your car with it being as low as it is, you might have a little trouble if we get a good snow fall, as the streets can get some deep ruts in them.
Anyway, the snow is gone and sunny weather is on its way. We have a great group of MINI owners in this area. Look us up when you get to town.
http://www.inlandnwminis.com

 

HELL YEA! be nice to have group of mini owners in the area, Shreveport Now I need to find a Rx-7 owners group too...

 

The most widespread snow in recent years – with more to come – has decimated the road, rail and air network. Obviously, the advice to avoid travelling applies, but for those who do venture on to the roads there are a number of driving and survival tips to bear in mind.
When driving:
Skidding is the greatest danger. Drive carefully, with smooth, gentle application of accelerator, steering and, particularly, brakes. If the vehicle starts to skid, gently lift off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid.
Be aware of black ice – it is most commonly found in areas that are shadowed from sun. Your car might be nice and warm, but never forget that it could be below freezing point outside.
If the road has not been gritted, be wary of driving in the wheeltracks or other vehicles as compressed snow is likely to be more icy than undisturbed snow.
Allow plenty of time for your journey and make sure you have a full tank of fuel before starting off – just in case you need to take a more circuitous route. Try to avoid travelling at dusk or in the dark.
Watch your speed and remember that cyclists and pedestrians, as well as other vehicles, will be less visible.
Make sure all the windows are clear of snow, properly de-iced and de-misted before you set out.
Make sure that the windscreen washer bottle is topped up, and contains the correct ratio of screenwash to ensure maximum cleaning and to prevent it freezing.
Sunglasses will reduce the glare of low winter sun on the snow.
Don't be afraid to turn back if you think the conditions are too treacherous.
Just in case you get stuck:
Keep a bottle of water and high-energy food, such as chocolate, in case you break down or become stranded. Carry extra clothing, including a warm coat, gloves and hat. A high-visibility jacket is also recommended.
Make sure you carry a mobile phone that is fully charged, and that you have the number of a breakdown organisation if you are a member.
Make sure you have a good torch and spare batteries in the car.
Carry a shovel to help you remove snow from around the wheels to give the car a chance to grip the road.

 

My MINI does fine in the winter snows (outside Boston MA) - it wears real snow tires with some oem rims for better looks than steelies with plastic covers

Folks at tire rack can suggest good tires. Might not be bad to get some experience in bad weather - fun way is a skid school kinda thing.

 

Phantom,
I'm in a lowered MINI too with a similar ground clearance. I had very few problems this past winter and it was the worst in recorded history in D.C. The only time I couldn't get out was when the plows hadn't come through so I could at least get out of my parking spot. Once on the road and in motion, it was very well mannered. I don't have snow tires, I'm just running good all-season non RFT's and they've been great.

You shouldn't have any problems if you just take some time to learn how to drive in the snow/ice/cold.

From an old retired Sailor, thanks for your service and I hope you enjoy your tour up there.

Craig

 

I drive year-round, snow tires in the Winter. Came home from Jamaica late at night last January and there was 8-10 inches of snow in the driveway. I plowed right through it!

 

Don't get into a dither over snow, remeber that you aren't a Hummer, if it's too deep to get through (anything over 6" could be problem) stay at home and wait for the plows or the meltdown. Whether or not you need snow tires in Seattle is questionable but if you are worried, then get some. The best thing you can do is get some experience, find a snow covered parking lot and have at it. MINI's handle snow well.

 

thats bad ***

 

Welcome to the Inland PNW! I live 2.5 hrs south of Spokane, in Walla Walla. It's a great area with plenty of great backroads through the Palouse.

The MINI does well in the snow with an experienced driver and snow tires. I have some hankook studless tires on my '03 MCS and drove it in the snow 2-3 times a week from it's purchase in January until now. No unintentional sliding or problems on packed snow and ice, but I did have a loss of traction in 6+ inches of heavy snow.

The pic below is an unplowed parking lot at my local ski area. Taken last Wednesday.

 

I have a few pics in my gallery - I like being first out in the snow.

 

Thanks this is very reassuring, LOVE IT!

 

Just have to say the pic in your sig is well, hot

 

O.K., its the tires I have Nokians R's there fantastic, I recommend them. I live at 9,500 ft. in Colorado and have plowed through 12 inches plus plenty of times and have to deal with alot of ice over the passes no studs on tires either.

 

Mine drove great in the snow.

First pic was in the driveway, second was at our tanning salon an hour later. In TEXAS.

Archie

 

HELL YEA another MINI at FAIRCHILD....I will no longer be the only one I am so happy =). Well as long as u live on base u should be fine when they are done plowing the flight line they plow the base and there are 3 car washes on base (2 self-wash and 1 automatic) to get that slime (anti-iceing) stuff off your mini...and just wait tell u get on some of the back roads they are awesome pure MINI Joy...let me know when u get here I would be happy to show u around town and the base (15sharpie at gmail dot com)

and from me and Sharpie welcome to Fairchild

www.inlandnwminis.org <----Forum for the club

 

I rock mine here in Fargo ND! First winter was one with a TON of snow, lowered an inch as well. Ran the stock 17s, did great, aerokit got a little beat up from interstate travel with all the little gravel around but other than that its a beast!

 

Ok, I know this thread is a little old, but I got my self a set of spare s-lites cheap (here on the forum) and mounted some Blizzaks WS70's on them. Today was the fiirst day I had to take off my Bridgestone RE-11''s and mount my WS-70s granted it was just slush, but I mush say I drove in to where the plows or cars had pushed mounds of snow/ slush on the side of the road but the mini and the tires cut through and gave me grip. I LOVE THIS CAR AND THESE TIRES! Now Im heating my garage to do a winter sealant! Sorry for any spelling errors but I've had a bit to drink..

 

IMHO Mini is as good/bad as any FWD car in the snow.
Getting winter tires helps a lot but stil you can easily overpower the tires.

 

I would say ground clearance is the biggest enemy in winter driving. The Mini is quite low. It sat in our garage last winter for 3 weeks straight during a pretty heavy snowing Nebraska winter. Good thing I also have a Subaru in the garage. Plowing works to a limited extent when the powder is fresh, but one cycle of day/night is enough for the stuff to make the Mini high-center and/or not be able to muscle through.
FWD is FWD. A front LSD helps some too, but that's only an option on the MT.

 

I would say any snowtire of narrow width and higher profile would be better than any all season in heavy snow. I'm using 185/65-15 on my car.



Ground clearance will be the biggest issue in the side streets, especially if most of your neighbors are driving SUV's.

 

I too am a Spokane driver. Of the four vehicles I've owned (all subcompacts) the MINI is definitely the best in snow. I live on a hill that I go down and up each day so I put studded snow tires on the MINI. I find the MINI is often able to go where other cars can't unless the snow is just deeper than the car. It seems to float over the top of everything. One good thing about a city like Spokane is we're not strangers to heavy snows, so the city usually does a pretty good job of plowing and providing traction sand and road deicer. As long as you can shovel or power your way through to an arterial, you shouldn't have too much trouble getting around in your MINI equipped with snow tires.

 

I recently fitted new Blizzak LM60's with alloy wheels on my '04S: just in time it turns out!! Two snowfalls in the past week or so up here in Bellingham/Point Roberts and I used the Mini to commute a few times plus ferried my Mom from her house to my sister's place for Thanksgiving. Fresh 3" of snow on Turkey Day and the Mini handled it just great. A little slipping and traction control action going up a hill that still had ice under the fresh snow but the car made it fine. On the fresh snow the handling was superb, which is where snow tires really shine. On ice, studs or chains are really the only sure-fire way of keeping good control.

Eric

 

I've spent the week shopping around for tires and wheels. For the same price as pirelli snowcontrols on steel wheels from MINI, I can get Kumho's on Konig 15s. I don't anticipate a lot of deep snow, but some sleet and cold rain for sure, and a few inches of snow. I'm looking forward to testing it out, and excited about going down to lightweight 15s and "regular" tires after running RFTs on my stock 16s! Should feel a little different.

 

Ok, so I live in Michigan. Just got my mini in October and just put new Continental 175 65 R15's on. They are an "all season" radial. Now I'm going to need snow tires, too? I love my mini and am trying to learn as much as possible. I bought my mini from a used car lot that mostly sells GM cars and the tires where in bad shape. I made them put new tires on, but nobody mentioned that they should be snow tires....