Hi, I'm interested in other drivers' impressions on the All 4's abilities to get through snow-covered roads. How does it handle compared to "conventional" SUVs such as an Acura MDX, and other 4WD cars like a Subaru Impreza WRX?

...I'm researching new cars (for my girlfriend, actually) that would work well in 80% urban, temperate conditions and 20% rural, less-well groomed roads (i.e. runs to the mountains for skiing). Seems -so far -that the Countryman may be perfect for the intended use?

 

I haven't driven it in the snow yet but ppl here have said they've had good results. Here are some vid's I watched before I pulled the trigger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVDUvNgEUh4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9wDl...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNeLrr89LcM

 

tires will play a bigger part than anything else, but the all4 seems to be doing great from the early adopters that got one early this year

 

I have an ALL4 - does well in snow but then so do all MINI esp with decent tires

It shipped with performance summers and these were not the best in snow as you can imagine - but they did not leave me stranded and I got home just fine in the snow dump we had in MD in January

Switched to proper snow tires (Dunlop M3) and its a billy goat though I did note it was not as good as the wifes toureg under braking which has some conti extreme contact which puzzled me. The dunlop snows are old though appear to have plenty of grip - do they go "off"?

To summarize - I have found my countryman is an awesome all round, all weather, carry lots utility vehicle but still has enough MINI DNA to be fun in the twisties (once you learn to trust the lean) - and once I get some decent suspension components on it it wil be even better

 

Thanks for all the replies. I especially like the video links. With those and the posts so far, the Countryman really should be perfect!

 

My girlfriend has had her All4 in two snowstorms now, and she absolutely loves it. 8"+ each time, and it was flawless (and with all-season tires, too). Can't provide a comparison, but her experience is positive so far.

 

I've been through the same storms with my all-season tires, and have been impressed so far. The last storm we were in Denver and heading home during the thick of the snowfall and didn't have a single problem, easily passed a few people along the way.

 

We think the ALL4 does quite well in the snow, we had some experience from last January in the Boulder area, no problems going around the folks hung up on the roads in and around Boulder/Louisville.

Current storms have not been a problem but we did park the ALL4 with my 07 so the early nut cases could learn how to drive or re-learn how to drive in Colorado snow.

 

We have an MDX and have had our CM since early this year. The CM can easily hang with the MDX in bad conditions.

 

If there's snow and it gets really cold, it's kinda like driving in the dirt. The CM4 does fine in the dirt.

Just sayin' ...

 

+1 for the dirt!