I know it’s a mini, not a 4x4 truck…..but compared to all of the other FWD cars I’ve owned in the past, my R53 mini is absolutely horrible in the snow and ice…..downright dangerous. It is because of their short wheels base? Low profile tires with hard sidewalls? The fact that they are balanced so well and have even weight on the rear and rear compared to other FWD cars that are nose heavy?

My wife has a VW Golf, and that thing will push though snow pretty good…..if I try to follow her in the mini, it takes all I have to stay out of the ditches. It doesn’t was to steer, doesn’t want to go, and doesn’t want to stop. Just wondering what the technical reason was for them being so bad in the snow compared to other FWD cars.

 

What kind of tires are you running? I haven't noticed the horrible handling you mention but I run Bridgestone Blizzaks in the winter.

Edit...just noticed your signature says G-Force Sport tires. If you are running those in the winter, that could be your problem.

 

BFG G-Force Sports

But I don't think it's the tires, but maybe I'm wrong. I did notice that they get really caked with snow, and don't clean off well.

 

Get a pair set of steelies and good snow tires ( studded also if you prefer or if its allowed in your area ). That makes a big difference and can turn you MINI into a winter car. Running low profile, summer tires, wide tires, or bigger tire don't help at all in the winter. You want narrow and taller sidewalls. Tires make a big difference, having them on another set of wheels makes them easy to swap in / out.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...now-tires.html

Thanks

 

Here is what Tire Rack says about the G-Force:

The g-Force Sport is BFGoodrich's Ultra High Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sport compact sedans and coupes looking to combine good looks, dry handling and affordable prices. The g-Force Sport is designed to provide traction in dry and wet conditions, however it is not intended to be driven in near freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

 

I wonder if they just get really hard and slick in freezing temps? I don't have enough cold weather where I live to justify another set of tires and wheels. re there any tires that would work better in the snow but still handle good in the summer?

 

The best set up I have seen on Non winter dedicated tires is to get some 15" wheels with 175/65/15 and some general all seasons like continental pro-contact, they will do better then those 17" w/ low profile summer tires, but not near as good as snows.

 

you're using a high performance summer tire in the snow and wondering why you can't move......*headdesk*

get a decent set of all seasons if you don't want to go with dedicated snows. anything will be better than what you're using now.

 

let me up plus one there.
Funny thing is I am running Conti DW's and ran through snow the past TWO winters here and was just fine! We just had 4-6 inches and again used my head best possible under the conditions and made it home safely in the Sparks Reno area. Now I am not running mount Rose Hwy and Truckee areas where you would be done in but again don't be dumb about it if you don't have to. Maybe user error there? Snow tires would surely help though. I also use my traction control too and only turn it off in dry weather for fun factor of course!

 

My R56 runs like a little bobsled through the snow.... with snow tires on

 

lol

 

Its your tires.....
UHP TIRES are nearly worthless in the snow....summers even worse..in just the cold they are useless..
And about the most aggressive "all season" tire you can get in a mini size is a "high performance" tire that is ok in the snow....but not good enough in the summer to keep most folks happy on something with more performance than a Honda/acura...
So buy a set of snow tires....toss them on a cheap set of rims...I use alloys...but you can sometimes find steel ones for $75-100 less when you buy all 4 with tires...
Snow tires will amaze you....you mini will go through snow like a snowmobile!!

 

To the op...
Lucky you did not get stuck at the bottom of your driveway....
I have seen it when it cold enough... No snow with summers...on a clear, cold day...
They get as hard as a frozen hockey puck....and slide just as good!!
Have heard of folks driving ok on summers in the fall...temp drops a bit...and the car slides of the road into a ditch on a VERY GENTLE TURN...or simply fails to stop cause summers are like driving on wooden/steel wagon rims in the cold...simply dangerous....
Amazing you have not wrecked already......
Looks like your tire IQ needs some help....
In MO, you could get some all seasons on used gen alloys for the winter....then run the SUMMERS IN THE SUMMER!!!
P.S. studded snowtires are getting rare...they are not legal in most areas...and the metal spikes can destroys roads and perform TERRIBLY IN THE RAIN AND BARE ROADS....
Even "snows"...modern "friction" snow tires, like blizzacks get "greasy" about 50° or so...but folks use them to RACE cars on frozen lakes...and they turn better than folks fo on gravel...as a matter of fact almost as good as blacktop with regular tires....on polished ice!!!!

 

Since I just purchased my MINI and had the pleasure of driving on summer P-zeros before I had the chance to get my snows mounted I can say with certainty that anything BUT winter tires on a FWD car should be considered at least somewhat dangerous in the snow. I've driven many a car in the snow with all season and winter tires (FWD, AWD, RWD) and it really doesn't matter what drivetrain you have when you're trying to stop, it's all about tires.

That being said, I made a mistake ordering my snows and got a set that was too big, so I have experience with Dunlop WinterSport 4Ds and Pirelli Sottozeros, both are fine tires for all around winter driving (cold temps, snow pack).

 

I'm running Bridgestone potenzas in buffalo ny and I think the car is fine in the snow.

 

You shouldn't be running on summer tires when temperatures fall consistently below 8°C (46F). The rubber compound becomes too hard and impacts your traction.

Get those tires off and invest in a set of snow/winter tires before you end up getting hurt / killing yourself or hurting / killing someone else. If you don't get snow that often, then go with all-seasons for the colder months.

Safety first my friend.

 

Yup, it's your tires, like everyone else says, besides rubber compound it's tread pattern, just because a certain pattern will channel rain doesn't mean it'll do the same with snow, all those are doing is loading up and turning into slicks.

 

What model Potenzas? For example, the Potenza RE760 Sport is an ultra high performance summer tire, while the Potenza RE960AS is a high performance all season tire. The first is horrible on ice/snow while the second is okay.

 

+ 1

 

The all seasons.

 

Both of our MINIs are great in the snow. They both wear winter tires. Makes all the difference. All Season tires are 3 season at best, you need winter shoes for your MINI.

 

You guys really know how to snow drive. That being said you'd be surprised how much better winter tires are.

 

Try the Conti DWS tires. I live in the cold and snowy New England area, these tires plow me through almost everything. A little slipping and sliding if it's icy, but the MINI seems to like 'em!

 

I believe it all seasons are really crap compared to actual snow tires, otherwise no one would buy snows.

 

+1
till you drive the FIRST time on REAL snowtires, it is hard to believe the difference....snowtires use a different formula of rubber that can grip ice...so that little bit of slip on a tight ramp, or dark spot under a bridge when ICE is starting to form is not as big of a factor...then add the deeper tread and ice gripping sipping on most snows...and it makes SNOWDRIVING FUN and SECURE. first time you drive up a icy hill in a MINI passing stopped and stuck 4x4's as the owners stare at you in amazement....the extra $$ becomes priceless!!
That and the cost of snowtires is less than the cost of my Insurance deductible....and much more convenient than a crash!!

Snows ARE overkill for some (geographically or even logistically) ....but then again isn't a Supercharger or turbo on a two door compact!! LOL. Nuff said.