I went north for the holiday and got hit by the snow fall. Coming from Seattle, I have never driven the Mini in the snow, and was uncertain how she would do. Of course driving sence told me no problem, but I know the tires are not snow rated. Happily I had no trouble at all, even on the ice. The car handled great and the traction control did a nice job too.

So I was wondering, what do others do when the snow falls? Just keep motoring?

Thanx
Cameron

 

I think it was last year, we had a very large snowfall one Saturday night. I believe 8 inches fell in 6 hours. Anyway, at about 4am, I was due to be somewhere on the north side of town. After clearing my driveway, I pulled out. My subdivision had not been plowed, neither had Country Club road. 38th Street was clearer (one lane) and 465 had one lane in each direction open.

Anywho, I when I exited 65 (after cruising at 25 mph on 465), I turned up the road to my parents house. The snow was so thick (for it was still snowing), that my car started to "plow". Meaning, the snow got pushed up the front end and over the hood. I'm sure some got in the scoop because it ran into the windshield. But, the little car just kept going. Right up that hill. I just took it slow.

So, the moral? I really should not have been driving, but my job description requires it. I was there. No one else was for several hours and they had trucks.

As for tires, I use the Goodyear RSA All-seasons. They did ok. I can't imagine trying to use performance tires in those conditions, however. Also, keep in mind that those kind of weather conditions are not the norm in this part of Indiana. It was kinda weird that night. But, it was nice to know the little car could handle it.

Welcome to Indiana.

 

Last year I was on the Pirelli all-season run flats and didn't have too much of a problem. Of course if you drive like me, you hate to drive slowly no matter what the conditions. I have since upgraded to Yokohama performance tires which I wouldn't dare drive in the snow. If I wasn't spending the winter in Arizona , I would definetly go with snow tires even if I hadn't ditched the all-seasons. Of course either way, we still motor year round. Happy motoring!

 

i haven't had a chance to try it yet... i'm still intimidated by the snow.

guess i'll get to try it soon though, i'm in south carolina right now and have been for quite a few days so i missed the little bits of snow we got the other day.

 

in idaho in the middle of summer I was doing some "rallying" on a dirt road. Anyways a patch of snow came up that must have been 4-5 inches deep. I hit it at about 25mph and my car came to a complete stop. It took 2 hours to dig it out and a four wheeler with a winch. These cars are not made for snow. I had the pirelli runflats. Wouldn't recomend it unless you put tracks on the back (monster garage).

 

Performance?

I swear mine just plows thru........ Haven't had a problem yet...... I take that back. At intersections where the snow piles from the plows, that messes me up pretty good. Got the skid plate just for that (well, and roadkill). Never been stuck though.

 

I had the summer run flats and slid backwards down a snowy hill. Terrible. The Blizzaks worked great. I live in Ct, so we get enough snow and ice to make snow tires worth it.

If you drive in snow, get snow tires. The all seasons may work, but the Blizzaks are great.

 

I've just never gotten to the point where I think it is necessary to have 2 sets of wheels and tires for the changing seasons. I'm sure the blizzaks are great in the winter, but I could never bring myself to change back and forth from summer to winter. I will say this now, I'm too lazy (and cheap ---- SHADDUP!).

The car is my daily driver. I don't drive anything else. It is heading into it's 3rd winter in Indianapolis on the same set of all-season tires and I have no worries. If you live in Indianapolis and have performance tires, consider getting a set for winter too and/or replace them with all-seasons. If you already have all-seasons, why get anything else?

As for me, the same set of all-seasons have done just fine. And, I don't work in town and my routes generally involve "not-so-smooth" road surfaces in rural west-central Indiana. -------just to qualify my case.

 

Hey Cam

Cordy looks a little cold. We miss you guys Have a happy Holiday. Always remember when in doubt Power out.
Mike N Rox

 

Hey Mr. Mike, good to hear from you..

And I even thought of you when I started to slide down the off ramp. Just grabbed a gear, applied throttle, and all was good. Granted the only hills hear are the ramps.

 

You must live on the NothEast side.

 

Hmm, no, I live in speedway. The ramps there are a little steep too. Still haven't seen too many hills in the belt-loop area .


Hey, not to get off topic, but is there a drive planned for this month? I still haven't made it to any local MINI events, and my work x-mas party is at the same time as the MINI party.

 

I've got the Perelli all-season runflats and didn't have any problems last winter at all, at least not with the roads. Problems with other drivers is another story. At $240 a tire and who know's how much a wheel, I really don't want to invest in another set until I have too. Call me cheap, I don't mind.

 

I autocross my car so for most of the year I drive on aftermarket wheels and summer tires. I installed a set of 205/50-16 Michelin Artic Alpins on the stock wheels in November of 2002. They've worked great through two winters (the car was lower than stock on coilovers for the second winter) and are back on the car again.

The available traction in snow with modern snow tires is incredible, and even in a couple inches of snow I can outrun the SUVs on all-seasons from the stoplight (our other car is a Forester). Braking and turning is pretty impressive for snow too.

These tires will easily make it through this winter, and probably one more before replacement.

Scott

 

No drive this month . With the holidays it makes it hard to find a good time to do one. We should have one in January, I will work on TEN to get one put together.

Can

 

We live REALLY close then.

Spring Mill Hill is one that I avoid in nasty weather. They had me drive down it in drivers-ed. I'll never forget that. That ditch on the side really makes you worry.

And, drive south and west. You'll find some hills sooner than you think.

 

Don't go too far west though cause you certainly won't find anything resembling altatude changes. That is, until you leave the midwest .

 

What? You've never ski'ed Mt. Wabashi?

 

I was out on the north east side today and saw a few hills. Granted one was the ramp for shadeland/i-465. Lots of great twist and turns though!

Davisio; I am just off 10th on Allison. I have a DS/B S. If you ever want to go motoring just let me know.

It only takes one to motor, and two for a group!

 

I think soon there will be enough West Indy Minis to form our own group. Camminich, I think we may have crossed paths before. I also own a 2003 DS/B S and live near 10th and Girls School Road. Do you have a couple of creases in your rear bumper and a full length antenna? I have the stubby antenna if we meet again.

 

After one winter with the all-seasons,and the start of a new winter with snow tires,the snows win hands down

 

Boy I hope not. I do have a full length antenna, but I hope that is not my bumper . I do have borla exhaust back there though.

I think I may have seen you a few times on Lynhurst. I will keep my eyes out. It would be great if we did have enough MINIs on the west side to have our own group! But I am sure not neccesary.

I have also seen a Chili Red S on 10th and an Electric Blue on Crafordsville. So no luck on seeing one in a driveway, or stationary in a parking lot.

 

Apparently, you're going to get your chance to test out your snow driving capabilities on Wednesday. Good Luck.

 

I put a set of snow tires on my car today (Yes I know, I change tires more than my shoes ) But I have to say they were well worth it. I didn't even need the traction control. If anyone wants a set let me know.

 

I have Falken Ziex 512s on my car and they handled the snow pretty well today. Anyone else notice how the piles of snow seem to scrape underneath the car? Anyone have any damage from this? This was my first drive in lots of snow and I am concerned about how even the little piles of snow between tire tracks rubbed the bottom of the car. My car isn't lowered, either.