Hello there. I currently drive a 2000 Honda Insight hybrid that I have owned since 2001. Love the 60 mpg fuel economy, but after all those years, looking for something more sporty. So, looking at 2007 Mini Cooper S hardtop.
My economy car was designed with teardrop shape in mind. This makes rear wheels closer together than front wheels. It has no traction control, weighs nothing being aluminum construction, and not the greatest car in the snow as the back likes ti wobble. On grooved roades, the back end feels like a dog shaking himselfe dry.
I test drove a 2004 Mini Cooper S Convertable and it was a blast. The guy who was helping me that day knew a lot of the mini and tried to explain to me the traction control features of the Mini.

So, as i live in Coloroado, working as a courtesy clerk 40 hours/week at King Soopers and have to drive in the snow, what can i expect from the Mini? I am currently saving up for my new car and hope to get it by late Augest.

I know the Mini has traction control of sorts, wider stance and a bit heavier than the Insight.

 

I'd recommend going with the 2004 MCS convertible. That's your best bet unless you find a 09+ MCS. Trust me you won't regret it.

 

I dont want convertable, and I heard the changes were made over in 2007. I wont mind a 2009 if i can get one at a good price. So far, I have $3,700 saved up and aiming for $10,000 and sell my Insight for 4,000-6,000.

 

What if look for is a 05-06 MCS(supercharged) hardtop, they're a lot of good ones out there somewhere. If you want a reliable/decent turbo, 09+ was okay but timing chain is still an issue.

No matter what, the newer engine(N18 '11-13) has proven to be much better than the N14 '07-10 MCS/JCW haven't faired so well. I just don't want you buying a 07-10 MCS and regretting it cause of a $1,000+ timing chain job.

Also, your winters in Colorado aren't too bad but I'd get winter tires, it's a great insurance on terrible snowy days.

Hopefully that helps more.

 

I dont want to regret my purchase either. I heard that the original Minis had a lot of issues and were Crystler built. In 2007, BMW took over and turbocharged them and most issues went away and they were lesser problems?
My 2000 Honda Insight is still going strong, minty fresh and looks brand new. I am hoping when I get my Mini, it will last just as long as I do plan on customizing it. I cant do much of any customizing with the Insight as the aftermarket ignored it and its an economy car.
My real question is, just how capable in the snow is the Mini?

 

Ha the Peugeot engine is the one to worry about, not the chrysler. It's pretty unanimous that the 05-06 mcs is the best way to go. Drives great in snow also.

 

Okay, whats better supercharger or turbo?

 

Tires will make a bigger difference than anything else, assuming you have no illusions about ground clearance. We run all-season run-flats from about Thanksgiving through early March and summer performance tires on 17's the rest of the year (DC Metro area). If it snowed more often here, I'd run snow tires in the winter.

Naturally, I agree that a 2005-2006 supercharged MCS is the way to go. I've driven the later ones with turbochargers and the power delivery is completely different. And, of course, there is the sound of the supercharger....

 

Ok, back om point.

Op, be realistic. Where you live in Co matters. Anywhere but the western slope, you are going to deal with snow. A lot. Whatever you do make sure you still have enought money left over to buy new SNOW TIRES. Not a set of crappy, don't do anything well, all season, pos tires. (Except for the Michlien PS3 A/S. It might be the real deal) Yes, you need 4.

Buy the best maintained car you can afford. The more maintenance done, (oil , fluid changes, inspection 1,2...) the better. The R56 is in almost every way a better car than the supercharged R5x. The R50 might be a little more fun to drive, maybe... I like my R56 much more. But to each their own...

Remember, you are buying the previous owners as much as the car...

 

Expect to laugh a lot. Especially while passing those driving the moving road blocks known as SUV's as they wonder why their "all wheel drive, great in the snow car" is being passed by a MINI.

 

+1

If you must buy a Peugeot engined MINI buy the non- turbo engined one. That have proven to be pretty reliable.

For snow driving it's snow tires period.

 

Throw on a set of skinny REAL snow tires on steel rims and motor on. Ground clearance will be the issue.

 

MINI's fitted with snow tires have a very good reputation.

But in reality most front wheel drive cars also do.

Looking at my original 2007 Cooper Manufacturers Window Sticker standard features include:
4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Corner Brake Control (CBC)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
All Season Traction Control (ASC)

I also have the Sport Package option which included:
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

Mine is a non-S with good all-season tires. It does fine for me in the snow conditions I will drive it in. I'm sure it would do even better with real snow tires. However, it gets parked during really nasty conditions and the 4x4 pickup comes out. That's usually due to a clearance (snowdrift) issue getting down my dirt road to a plowed road vs traction.

 

My hat is off to you all who drive your MINI's in snow/icey weather.. Dont know if it is just me or the sport wheels/tires and "mini-aml" ground clearance, but the MINI stays in the shed and the 4WD GMC is my preferrred ride!. I am an old guy and want to stay around awhile longer!

 

How much snow are you talking about? With the Michlein snow tires, over 4 inches, I'm not going out anyway.

Less than that, and the thing's a tank. A direct descendant of a World Rally champion. It worked then, it still works not. Advances in tires, engines and traction systems, pretty much make up for the weight gain.

The real downside is it's gonna rust, and corrosion. Every underhood and body fastener looks like crap.

 

This is my first winter in a Mini. We have had a truly brutal winter here in Philly. I daily the car. It will do FINE with good all season tires up to about 6" of snow. If every winter were this bad, yes snows would be great.

Potholes, slow down, go over them.. Or speed up and scoot around them.

My last car was an AWD Audi A4. No the Mini is not as good grip wise, but still fine.

Being able to partially shut down DSC is key in snow, the Mini lets me do it. My Wife's VW TDI Golf is actually not as good in the snow for that reason, I can't partially shut it down. It's all or nothing.

 

When I drive in the snow, I am very conservative in my driving and I drive according to the conditions. In my Insight, I crawl around 25 MPH in 40 MPH zones and slow down miles ahead of the stop light. I would like to be less wimpy with the Mini. I dont want to drive it likes its an AWD Subaru WRX, but you know what I mean, and I have thought of that car too, but there is just something about the Mini.

 

tires are everything. you'll have no problem if you simply get snow tires or quality all-seasons. continental extreme contact DWS's have superb all season handling. I came from 2 subarus before my mini. nothing trumps AWD but the tires make the mini certainly daily drivable in any winter condition.

 

regardless of the r53/r56 debate, if you do get a mini, snow tires will make a huge difference. i have the '05 r53 and i have even super wide winters (not normal) 215/45/17's and it is a tank in the snow. i havent gotton stuck, nor have i felt uncomfortable in any condition here in NH, i actually prefer if there was more snow on the ground since i am planted so much

 

'05 MCS supercharged if you're looking for used MINI's. I love mine. I've heard nasty things about turbo post '07's. love mine; "Blue Meanie". Pretty much stock, but xenon head lights, special alloy wheels, 2 moon roofs. Lightning Blue 6 speed, etc. Lots-0-Fun! Bought at 68K miles in October, now in 5 months 75K! Oh yeah long lunch hours are awesome! Only a vac-leak spotted...bad gas cap. It runs great. Obviously the first owner took care of it. Sigh....

 

I am hearing so many debates between first runs, and the newer 06-07s I am getting more confused as to which is best. I am pretty sure i dont want 01-04 as that wont be much newer than my previous car. Maybe 05-06.
Besides performance wise, and turbo-lag. What is more reliable supercharger or turbo? I have always ben a Honda guy and therefor never owned a turbo-charged car.

 

N14 motors, were in the R56 "S" (Turbo) generation of cars from 07-10'. The later N18 motors "S" (Turbo) have had far less issues. These are in all current ten (11-14' cars..) Mini cars with the exception of the new F56.

 

I have a 2007 mini cooper s hardtop, and I couldn't love it more, I didn't get to drop my car and I'm glad I didn't because of all the snow we have been getting in NYC. I'm impressed the capability of the mini, the a s c (when I put those together it keeps autocorrecting to SSC) goes on. Its all about maneuvering, don't dig your self in, crack the ice, and ride out, The tires you get plays a big part as well and whether or not you choose to drop you car ridiculously low (not practical for me). OF course it can not go through what SUV can but being a front wheel drive gives you a really big help. The most snow I've gotten it about 10 inches. Hopefully I helped in your decision making. Also if you are getting a 2007 watch out with the chain tensioner issue ensure you have it changed or find out if it have been changed already

 

You only answered with turbo, what about the supercharged ones? I know many like the sound of the super, but worth it? I need something newer than my 2000 Honda Insight to make it worth getting a new car, but not so new its expensive. And, not so old its got potential problems.

 

I don't want to add to your confusion BUT a supercharged MINI may give you gas mileage shock after the insight. The normally aspirated MINI, like my '10 can deliver up to 40 when driven carefully. Supercharged car will get you less than 30.