Hi all. We are moving from Springfield, Illinois to Salem, Oregon in February 2014. I am frankly scared to death about driving my 2006 Cooper on the move. I'm assuming I should get snow tires put on beforehand. I'd love to get them at Costco if at all possible. Can anyone tell me what to consider? My husband will be with me, but he doesn't seem to understand that the MINI doesn't handle like other cars on snow and ice. We will also have two cats with us, to add to the worry. Thanks!

 

Runflat Blizzaks are the best snow tires out in my opinion. the last thing you want to do is get a flat and not be able to move the car in winter. should you be scared at the drive? I think it really depends on a)the route you are going to take, b)the weather during the drive c)mechanical condition of your MINI and d)your degree of preparation.

Taking a northern route closer to Canada or going over the Rockies in Feb. will probably be more dangerous than a southern route. If you plan well and dont drive during a snowstorm, you can lessen your level of danger. If you are up to date on the MINI's maintenance and know that there are no mechanical issues, then your MINI should ber up for the journey. Finally, traveling long distance in winter in ANY car, preparation is the key....some blankets and water in case you get stranded are a must along with a cell phone on full charge. Those are my thoughts. Prepare well and you should be fine.

 

After you get your snow tires, next would be your route choice. Best to stay with the interstate highways any time, especially in the winter. Based on my past experience as an Iowan who moved and worked in most western states during my life, and ended up in California. I would suggest this. Get on I-80 as soon as you can. Stay on I-80 all the way to Salt Lake City. Take I-15 a few miles north to I-84 west to Portland and then south some to Salem. This route has the lowest mountain passes to deal with. The highest maybe from Cheyenne, to Laramie, Wyo at 7,200 ft. Lots of good truck stops on this route, many of them Flying J's which are good ones for anything you might need. If you get in a bad storm, just hole up at a hotel and wait it out. As mentioned in another post, take blankets, water, some food or candy bars, and yes, candles. A candle will keep you warm if you get stalled. I understand your concern, but it will go better than you think. Lived and worked in Montana, Wyoming, both Dakotas, Colorado, Nebraska, til I followed the money to California. You'll love Salem. Been through there too!

 

This thread may help:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ce-sought.html

 

+1 for the Runflat Blizzaks and planning. I use the Blizzaks for going skiing here in the NE and don't worry about the snow.

The only things I would add are:
1) be flexable on driving. Plan the trip with the ability to skip a day or 2 of traveling if the weather is not looking good. Don't try and challenge a trip over a pass if there is to be a lot of snow. Not worth it.
2) Get a couple of good weather apps for your cell phones. There is a great ski app "snow watcher" that works off the NOAA database. You can use that to see if there is snow in the forecast for any place that you are traveling. It will lay out the information by the hour for you if you want. I also like the Weather Underground app. It has a really good radar and a very usable display.
3) get a small shovel and a bag of sand (not kitty litter, it is clay and is slippery when wet).

Overall, the MINI is a great winter car, with the right tires. Bring a camera and plan some sightseeing. You are going through some beautiful country on this trip, no matter which route you go. Take advantage of the trip to do this. Enjoy and best of luck with it.

 

A couple of other things:
If you don't already have it get AAA and get the MINI official app. Even If you don't have the MINI roadside assistance, the MINI app may prove to be useful if you help from a dealer along the way.

Also, keep in touch on NAM here while you are traveling and let us know how it is going. I have seen people do this and others have provided advice about things along the way when the travelers have had questions.

 

MINI's with snow tires do very well in the snow. I like Blizzak snow tires, but I would not buy runflats. IMO they are not worth the extra cost & make a car ride terribly.

 

MINI with snow tires is pretty much unstoppable over anything less than 1" feet of unplowed snow. At about 1 foot you will start plowing the snow with the air-dam to no ill effect, but much more than that and your front wheels may ride up onto the snow banks and loose traction.

I've done 3 winters with Blizzaks on the MINI, including skiing trips, and never once fell beck on my 4WD car unless I also needed more trunk space.

In other words - with snow tires and staying on the plowed highways, and you will be passing EVERYTHING on the road, including the snow plows.

MINI does handle like any other FWD car. Including on snow and ice.
If you think it does not, please let your husband drive.

a

 

Sorry, need to disagree about the ride quality of the Blizzak runflats, at least on a 16" wheel. My LM60 RFT snow tires ride better than the non-RFT all season tires I run in the other seasons. Plus I don't have to worry about have to change a tire in the middle of a snow storm. While I agree that the Conti RFTs the car comes with are not very good, the Blizzaks are much better. My car also has the sports suspension with the stiffer springs and shocks and it is very liveable with these tires.

 

So if I get 16" runflats, will I need new wheels/rims too?

 

Sorry, only meant to say that the RFTs are a good idea. By what you say, should I assume that you have 15" wheels? Then, by all means stay with them. We have the WS 60 non-RFTs on our other MINI, on 15" wheels in the stock size. I am very comfortable with driving them anywhere. The RFTs are just added assurance, not a necessity in my mind.

 

if you want

if i were you i'd just find a cheap used set on NAM, i feel like there's always a set that goes up for sale for pretty damn cheap

 

If really want to drive, I-80 from Reno, NV to Sacramento, CA may not have any heavy snow problems at all. If there is too much snow on the mountain pass, the Highway Patrol will report whether you need All Season tires or snow chains.

Right now, the ski resorts are having to make their own snow!

 

I posted a link earlier. It discusses a similar situation as yours.

If I was in your situation, and had good tread left on all-season tires, I wouldn't buy snow tires for your trip. But then I'm pretty experienced with the road situation you will be traveling through. So getting snow tires is fine too.

The route suggested by 1guru2 is a good one.

Much of the West is in a drought. Icy roads, when they happen, are typically bare again within a day or two. The key is:

- Give yourself extra time
- Stay aware of the road conditions
- Know your capabilities

If you and your husband are driving separate cars give yourself lots of space between cars - like 6+ seconds. The roads will be sanded and you will end of with a pitted (if not broken) windshield if you don't.

This is a link to the Wyoming Highway Department. It has real time links to webcams located along major Wyoming travel routes. It also links to comparable web sites for surrounding states.

http://www.wyoroad.info

If conditions turn bad during your trip then just stop - EARLY - before the hotels fill up. For the cost of new snow tires you can just hunker down for a day or two, renew wedding vows with your hubby, and still be money ahead.

 

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your suggestions.

Now TireRack is saying there are no snow tires available for the 2006 Mini Cooper. My tire size is 175/65/R15. Where am I supposed to get them???

 

We moved from Texas to Utah in November right in the middle of a snowstorm. I drove mine all 1300 miles and barely made it through the mountains without snow tires. I would highly recommend getting tires, as well as chains for really bad spots. I'm not sure whats in your area, but Discount Tire always has what we need in stock (17s for Hubbys MCS and 15s for my MC).
Also, don't forget an emergency kit in your trunk with hand warmers, thermal blankets, water, etc. You really don't want to be stuck in the cold without anything

 

I see Costco has the Blizzak LM-60 195/55/R16 87H available. Has anyone had any problems with Costco not being willing to install tires? We don't have a Costco here, so I'd have to drive 80 miles to the nearest one to have them installed. Right now I have 175/55/R15 tires on. Would the Blizzaks be significantly different size and ride wise? I know next to nothing about this stuff. Thanks!

 

The R16 Blizzaks are made for 16 inch wheels, your R15 tires are made for 15 inch wheels. You can not put 16 inch tires on 15 inch wheels.

 

There are lots of different companies that sell tires. Everyone from WalMart, Sears, Pep Boys. NAPA. Then there are the more brand specific sellers like Firestone, Goodyear and Cooper Tires that have store fronts and also do routine auto maintenance. You probably get junk mail flyers from them every week in your mailbox. There's also craigslist - but take someone along with you who knows what to look for like sidewall patches (bad).

There are other suitable sizes you could use besides 175/65-15. 185/60-15, 185/65-15, 195/60-15. But doing so would mean you could not use tire chains because of the increased tire width. But if the weather is such that you are even considering using tire chains, on the route that been recommended (I-80, I-15, I-84), you shouldn't be driving in those conditions anyway. Find some truck stop and wait for the conditions to improve - they will improve. Give yourself extra time.

 

Don't know if you found tires but you could try this:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tpms-15-a.html

 

Dunlop graspic ds-3s are a good cheaper solutions for snow or ice. Michelin x-ice xi2s are good as well. Tire rack has pretty good deals. I always get my tires from them.

 

I had my MINI 3 winter seasons in Minneapolis with lots of snow & ice.

As an everyday driver, I only had trouble on inclines with icy snow packs.

Got a separate set of 15" rims and a set of Blizzak WS-60's (175/65R15).

Now I just change wheels as needed when the white stuff dumps.
(Given where I live, that is for about 5 months of each year)

Amazing handling difference (particularly with icy conditions).

You can live without them and make a simple road trip following all the precautions previously suggested.
(not sure they'd be worth the investment based on where your moving)

But if you can find them, they add a large degree of confidence to your winter motoring .

Good luck-be safe.


time to play! | Flickr - Photo Sharing!, on Flickr

 

If you're current tires have good tread on them (>60%) and they are true all-season tires, I would keep them on and make the trip. You can get the AutoSocks for any bad mountain passes you go through. They cost under $100, installation is very easy and they offer as good or better traction than snow tires.



Just my suggestion.

 

Interesting item. I wonder how many miles until those tire socks are ripped to shreds. Any experience using them?

 

I've only used them on short distance trips, such as through a mountain pass where I would otherwise be required to chain up. Used them several times for probably 500 miles total and they still look like new (dirty, but new condition). I never went above 35mph with them also, I don't think you are supposed to go any faster than that. Great for those off-the-wall emergency bad weather situations. Also great if you have nice wheels and low profile tires.