MC, Standard MINI 15" tires, DSC.

I couldn't quite "test" it too much, as I had two kids (not mine) in the back. I did push it a bit on the side streets, going around turns. It handled great from what I could see. The back-end didn't skid out, but then again...what back end? :smile:

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Gosh you're cute. Wanna buy a monkey?

 

It seems you had an ....interesting experience....
I'm personally looking forward to a bit o snow here in NY.
I've been driving (4)pathfinders for the past 8-10 years or so...and haven't had any...real substancial ....accumulation of snow here...
So..I'm POSITIVE...that this winter we will surely have a blizzard..as now I drive my new MCS :smile:
I look forward to the....experience...:smile:
As a point of reference....most people in NY ...forget how to drive when it snows here... They kinda loose their minds....and what ever driving abilities they may have...go right out the window.
So ...indeed it will be an...experience
Peace,
D


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2002 MCS:pure silver/black top,lapis int.,all pkgs,17"ROH rims,

 

I love the SUV types that do not realize that 4-wheel drive does not also mean 4-wheel braking or steering.

I drove a Land Rover Defender 90 for 7 years through the winters in Colorado and Wyoming and although I could get the vehicle to go anywhere I wanted, I also learned that the vehicle was highly unstable on the slippery stuff, especially at speed. You could make it spin like a top if you were not incredibly careful.

 

I think sometimes SUV drivers get a little too overconfident. Although a big SUV may give you better ability to move through deeper snow, this tends to lead drivers to believe they have more stability/traction at higher speeds. What they tend to forget is the concept of momentum. It gets hard to control/stop those overweight beasts. I have always prefered to be in a smaller, FWD or AWD car when on the white stuff.

My 2cents

 

Sorry folks if I have to go out in the white stuff I am taking the Discovery.

Yes I have driven front drive cars in the snow & they do fine with the correct tires.

It is a thing called survival ya know the bigger the mass in and unfortunate situation.

If it where not for all the IDIOTS that can not drive in snow we all would be fine!!!

Motor On - Slow in the Snow - Watch out for the Other guy

 

>>About 2 miles further down the road, and SUV was coming up on me. He moved into the left lane to pass. He then realized that although technically there was a left lane, he just couldn't see it. He tried to moved back into my lane, but was unsuccessful. It was like watching the in-car camera during a NASCAR race, as I peered in my mirror. Sliiiiiiiiiiide. This-way, that-a-way. He stayed on the road the whole time, but spun around, and the cars behind him were at a safe enough distance to stop. I (being the caring motorist that I am ) motored on my merry MINI way.

 

Is it just me, or do people in SUVs hate our MC's!! They always cut me off and try to run me off the road. BIG BULLYS! Must be compensating for something else...

 

ack! I feel bad!

I didn't mean to have this be an SUV bashing thread. Rather a glimpse into how the car handles in the snow. (better than the SUV (knock on wood).

 

Have you noticed how people pull out in front of you?

When you are small you have to drive defensively!!

One thing is certain,the MINI will be able to change lanes with ease

 

Thanx Lizzy for that report. I plan to wait until the snow drops to see whether or not I'll need the use of winter tires. I know nobody REALLY need winter tires, because it all comes down to driving skills. But I'm playing it safe just in case. If I feel they're needed, I plan to buy and use them as opposed to taking chances and having to wait another aggonizing 3 months for a new MCS.
But I still can't wait to experience for myself how it handles in snow, with how great it handles on pavement. It must just carve it up. It's the ice I'm kinda worried about. I'll see soon enough.
Cheers,

 

>>It seems you had an ....interesting experience....
>>I'm personally looking forward to a bit o snow here in NY.
>>I've been driving (4)pathfinders for the past 8-10 years or so...and haven't had any...real substancial ....accumulation of snow here...
>>So..I'm POSITIVE...that this winter we will surely have a blizzard..as now I drive my new MCS :smile:
>>I look forward to the....experience...:smile:
>>As a point of reference....most people in NY ...forget how to drive when it snows here... They kinda loose their minds....and what ever driving abilities they may have...go right out the window.
>>So ...indeed it will be an...experience>>>>>>>>&gt ;>>


WHat's up with all of the "..." and "..." ????

 

But what about the rain? I never hear anyone comment about how incredible our MINIs are in the rain! I've found that my MCS handles as well in heavy rain as it does on dry ground. Last night in our "little" Noreaster, my MINI had no problems on the highway at 70-90mph. It had great grip on the off-ramps and side streets as well. I even gave my friend a ride who hadn't seen my car and we hit a 180 degree U-turn fast with no problems. This car just gets better and better! :smile:

 

greatgro,

I'm curious what tires you have now. Your comment about the rain performance doesn't fully match my experience. First, I've got a MC, compared to your MCS. And I've got the Goodyear 16" runflats.

That's not to say that Molly handles like crap in the rain/wet, still I have found her limits - especially on curves - a little too easily! Plus, as someone else mentioned in another thread, it "hunts and dodges" in the rain ruts.

 

Rain ruts....I like that one.

 

It is the first winter day in Montreal 8 inches of white stuff with temperatures around freezing point, there was also freezing rain at times.

The MCS handles very well and since the vehicle is small with a low center of mass, it should have really good manners on icy roads even with significant cross winds.

I was not so impressed with the AST, I would prefer a Limited Slip, I feel my old G20 with LS had a better traction.

Heating and defrosting is not what would be expected on a newly designed car, I rate it poor overall for a car in that price range...

The wheels are said to be in the corners, in the front the lower part is very low and I'm afraid it will be damaged in the winter, the MCS seems to be more vulnerable to damage than the MC.

I guess the MINI will be quite a good car in the winter, mainly due to it's low center of mass and good weight distibution, the MCS with the supercharger does not motor brake much due to low compression ratio, that should help while cornering.

I put 195-65-15 Michelin Pilot Alpin on the car because I wanted H speed rating since most of the time we drive on dry pavements, even in the winter. I thought that if driven properly and and with caution in the few bad days of winter, these tires would offer me a pleasant drive most of the time. I really do not like uncontroled slalom feeling.

I would have bought narrower tires if I would have found some with H rating in 15" diameter. On that point, I must admit that MINI did not make things easy for us, try to find 195-55-15 like the ones that come as OEM...the standard size is bastard.

I was told that the run flats should not be installed an uninstallled since they are likely to be damaged due the rigidity of the side if it is not the rim itself.

Under these circumstances, better buy winter wheels and tires...

 

Suggestion: Please post upfront your model (MC or MCS), transmission type (auto or stick), tire width (ex. 15", 16", 17&quot, and tire type (all season or performance) when posting to this forum. It would be a great help and time saver.
Thanks!

 

Two reasons for my suggestion:
1) an expected long and nasty winter
2) this being the first winter the new Minis will suffer through in the U.S.A., there could be a lot of posts in this forum.
Again, thanks!

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I am wait listed for a 2003 Cooper S. Still debating options. Suggestions?

 

>>Is it just me, or do people in SUVs hate our MC's!! They always cut me off and try to run me off the road. BIG BULLYS! Must be compensating for something else...


I was in Taco Bell the other day and I heard some women talking about Mini drivers. They were talking about how a man must really be set up "down stairs" to drive a car that small. Then they started laughing about their friends with big huge jacked up trucks to make up for their faults "down stairs". I thought you'de get a kick out of that.

Frank

 

Just finished coming to work (55 miles) in the fresh snow. I put 4 15" steelies with Blizzak's on last night.

OH MY GOD! This thing is like having 4 wheel drive with these tires, except better hanling. I paid about $500 from tire rack with shipping and wheel covers for the whole set up. Put the 17" performance on the shelf for 3 months. My order number was 6007648 if anybody wants to get this.

Didn't even have to reset the flat monitor system, and when I put the old wheel and tire next to the winter setup, they were the exact same height. Now all I need is a donut and a jack...

Highly recommend thisl I have no affiliation with TireRack. Feel free to contact me offline with questions.