Hi guys,

New member here. I have searched over a few threads but wanted to get an overall impression of how Mini's handle in the snow/winter.

I live in Upstate NY where we can get some snow. I have the stock conti run-flats currently. It's a base '13 mini so no traction control or anything like that.

Just wondering if I should be investing in snows or if all seasons should work ok (within reason).


Thanks,

Ryan

 

New all-season tires can hold their own in a snow storm... but all depends on the amount of snow and temp.
A few inches are of the fluffy stuff are alright, but them moment you get can kind of wet / frozen compaction, you may find yourself skidding around town.

Snow tires are a quality investment for the winter months, and do allow you to dig through the mess on the way to the office.
But it's gonna be up to you to make the choice.

I personally run a set of snow's during the winter months here in Colorado due to the unpredictability.
It could be 60deg (like today), and then dump 10" tomorrow and I need to be able to get around town consistently - assuming the town hasn't shut down.

- Erik

 

The year we had four snow events I did very well in regular tires.
I actually got another set of wheels that year (used) and planned
to get some snow tires. But the next year it did not snow at all.
I am in NC, and we get very wet icy snow, but not so much of it.

If I were you I would invest in a set of winter tires, and just change them out
when the snow comes. I have heard from friends it makes a huge difference.

 

If it's your daily driver, buy some cheap wheels and get snow tires. They make the MINI handle better than any 4x4 on the road. Worth every dollar

 

For snow:

front wheel drive good, all wheel drive better
summer tires bad, all season tires better, winter tires best

 

^^ That right there.

 

thanks for the help guys. If I am going to get a set of snows for my car, can I use rims without the TPMS? I see a set of OEM mini rims by me for sale for real cheap that were from the 2003-2009 model. If they fit I was going to pick them up unless I needed to use the TPMS.

 

You dont "need" the TPMS, but if you don't use them you will get a constant warning light on the dash saying your tires are low...

- Erik

 

I live in CT. We get a lot of snow... During the big storm last year before Halloween, I took the MINI out driving on purpose ( to see how the car would do/mess around in parking lots) during the storm. I am on all-season tires.

There were several times during my drive that I had to pass out trucks and suvs with 4x4 that were getting stuck. I never even came close to getting stuck a single time all year.

The MINI handles *very* well in the snow, and if you aren't screwing around you can leave DSC on to help stop you from spinning the tires.

 

We have had excellent luck with our Mini's in the snow. Even the Coupe. However if the snow is too deep or compacted it can make it more difficult because of the plow affect. This was especially true in the Coupe. We finally parked it and used my wife's R56. We recently added a Trailblazer to the stable so no more Mini's in the snow.

 

I had my 2010 MCS when I was living in Utah. It had all season tires on it and I got around fine in the winter. They were pretty good at keeping the roads clear out there. I was only out there for one winter, otherwise I would have gotten a set of winter tires for it just to be safe.

 

Had my 2009 MCS for three Denver/Boulder winters on all-seasons--never had a problem. Have had my 2011 MCS for one so far (obviously soon to be another), and the snow tires have been fantabulous.

 

The all seasons worked fine for me for two winters. At the end of the second they were losing their grip. I switched to a summer and winter tire and wheel combination since that and haven't looked back. I run Blizzak ws70's in the winter and absolutely love them. The only issue, an it's a small one is with clearance. You might get hung up in very deep snow in which case I'd say...stay home.

 

They're fine in the winter,
I'm running studded 16's all around, no problems up here in Alaska.

Keep in mind of course this is a low clearance vehicle, not an suv or pu,
so if it just dumped two feet of snow let the plows have a few passes at the roads before tearing about,

 

This. Thread over, everyone go home.

 

You have a traction control system, it's called DSC (Dynamic Stability Control)

 

Where in upstate NY?
That will make a difference in my suggestions. Syracuse and the snow belt area...definitely get snow tires.

As a skier and always heading to the mountains I now have snow tires. Runflat snow tires to be exact as I don't want to have to change a tire in a snow storm.

If you live down state, the AS tires that came with the car will be just fine. I ran them for several years with little problem. Even to the ski areas.

 

To be honest, my first time with my Justa I had, it was interesting! I never got stuck one time, but with my old Dodge Stealth R/T I got stuck a few times. With my Outlander, of course I never got stuck but not very good handling in the snow. With my new MCS, I went through our first winter last year and it was a piece of cake driving it. No issues, plus not a lot of snow either way. But IMO, I'd get some very good all season tires or go with snow tires if you have resources! Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the snow in your MINI

 

I suggest you get a set of 4 snow tires mounted on their own rims if you think you are going see significant snow (I would expect you will in NY). That's what I run on my S here in the Chicago. My Mini handles fine in the snow. Winter tires make winter driving fun especially in heavy snow.

 

Well said!

From Minnesnowda

 

My wife has a Clubman. I owned an '04 MCS for 9 years. We live in Boston. We each of a separate set of snow tires and wheels. Never got stuck once, even 7.5 hours in a nor'Easter while passing numerous broken down RWD cards on I-93.

One thing that ranked high on my decision to buy another MINI was its performance in the snow with snow tires. Go for it!