im in such shock in how well my mini drives in the snow. i have to change the tires real soon waiting for my tax return, but we had our first snow storm here in RI and my car drives like champ. a little slip and slide but i feel like i dont have to worry about getting stuck im was so surprised

 

First time I've had my car in the snow and I've found from messing around in an empty lot that it is way too easy to induce full on understeer.

If it had better weight distribution I think it would help a lot

 

The traction control system is excellent.

 

I love driving my mini in the snow! I have decent all season tires and haven't had any problems the last two years. My concern is more about everyone else driving in the snow, mostly trucks with giant plows, I've had a few close encounters with those on little back roads of MA.

 

I have ASC on my model and it doesn't really do anything.

e: It could certainly be a lot worse in the snow. I figured out quick what will fly and what won't, just have to watch out for crazy SUV people

 

The only issue I had was on streets that haven't been plowed recently. I found that the traction control really hindered my ability to move much more so than other vehicles I have driven. While the traction control is great for wet driving I imagine, it seems to throw a wrench in my winter driving. It got to the point that I would slowly inch forward from a stop. Anyone else notice this?

 

Yeah, I have found it much easier to launch with the stability control off

 

I intend on writing a review of driving this past week after we had snowmaggedon. To answer you yes if you find yourself stuck in the snow the dsc will basically hold one wheel from slipping and you wont go anywhere. It's a great system if it's just a quick slip but when you're in 7 in of snow n ice it will hinder you from moving at all.

My MA warned me of this and the Bentely manual says if you are going up a slick hill along with a few other conditions to disable dsc.

 

Time to trot these pictures out again

Came home from Jamaica late at night to 10 inches of snow in the driveway. Didn't feel like shoveling. Snow tires rule.

 

Nice snowplow!

I love driving in the snow. I have proper snow/ice tires and have gotten through really deep stuff, slush, ice, you name it, with no problems at all. As others mentioned above, turning off ASC makes it easier.

 

We just had our first snow storm here in ohio last friday and i was surprised how my mini did too. The car's stability system and abs works wonders! It sounds funny but the only problem i have is accelerating. Everything else is cool beans. Its probably time for new tires anyways. I have 18.5k miles on the original run flat contental all seasons. I have the DTC in my 09 Clubbie. I played around with the DTC turing it off and on just to see if there is a difference and i don't seem to notice much. With the exception of the computer cutting throttle the car seems to start out the same. I read some where that the new Mini's have a electronic diffenteral lock? anyone know about this? I'm curious to know

 

The only time I use the DSC is when I'm on the highway, and don't have to worry about stopping and accelerating. It's much easier to start from a stop with the DSC off, but it does a great job of keeping you in line if you start to slide. My MINI has been great in the snow, but the only problem I've noticed is that snow is constantly scraping the underside due to lack of ride hight (obviously). I haven't gotten stuck and it does a great job of staying in control, but I just cringe every time I hear snow scraping the undercarrige.

 

@Squirlz: and I felt bad for taking my MINI through 7in of snow...apparently the MINI can plow through snow like they said it could.

Well today we had ice on the roads...wasn't expecting that AT ALL. Car performed okay...I think this winter has pushed my Yokohama Envigors to the breaking point. Don't get me wrong the Yokos are great all around tires but 7in of snow then slush, and finally ice...what more can you put an all season through? Part of my problem is I believe the dealership checked my tire pressure and put it up to 37 PSI which might be affecting my traction some. It's been in the back of my mind to lower the tire pressure but keep forgetting.

What do you guys think? Lower tire pressure (30PSI) better than upper 30s (37PSI)? I would think lowering the pressure would help with traction.

 

I run 37PSI in dry weather, even with my snow tires. When it got very snowy, icy and slushy I dropped it to around 31PSI after one day, and I had a lot more grip with the lower pressure.

 

Mini promotes its weight distribution as an advantage. If I'm not mistaken its around 70/30 which puts the weight over the drive wheels. This makes it a very good snow car.

 

My Clubbie did great in the snow last weekend here in Philly. Stayed right in the garage where it belongs until everything melted by Monday. Car was a champ at waiting out the white stuff...

 

Actually wish there were just a tad bit more snow on the parking lot after they plowed...had a some fun.

Next time I need to go a little faster