I'm taking a ski trip to Vermont, and I'd like to drive my Mini. It's an 05 standard 5 speed with 15 in wheels and runflats.

I've never driven it in bad weather conditions, and I wonder if such a light car can be any good in snow or on ice. I'm guessing not.

It's just one short trip, so I don't want to buy snow tires. Can I put chains on it if need be ? Do I need a certain type ? Should I just give up and take the van ?

Thanks for your input.

 

Does your MINI have traction control? My MCS does, maybe they all do? I would invest in chains if I was you. They will be your number one tool for getting through the snow (aside from your driving ability). The MINI is low to the ground, so be wary of snow depths.

We recently got snow and ice here. The MCS was flawless with snow tires on and some extra caution on the driver's part.

dan

 

Not with Nokian RSIs!

Definitely lose the run flats.

 

The DSC (if you have it) will drive you bonkers

When we had icy streets here I had to turn it off just to get to the end of my street.

 

No traction control. Can I get chains anywhere, or are they mini specific ?

 

I only kept the run flats because my wife like the idea of not having to change a flat. Not too many advantages with them. They don't last long, thet are expensive to replace, they should be replaced and not repaired when you get a blowout, the ride is harsh, and they aren't the best for handling.

And you say they aren't good in snow and ice ? Other than that, how do you like them ?

 

How was it otherwise ?

 

They aren't runflats (not in 15").

 

Go skinny, Xtro.
I throw standard Cooper 175/65/15 Continentals on for winter and they're magic in snow.

The skinnier shoes puts your weight on a smaller surface-- cutting through snow to find traction on the road. The difference between the summery shoes: 215/17s was night and day.

Best deal: Nab an extra set of MINI Holey wheels off ebay with 175s already mounted, approx. $400. Or, TireRack used to sell the tires for $52/ea.

Good luck.

 

I've found the MINI handles extremely well in ice and snow, better than larger cars I've driven. Having driven a minivan in winter, my opinion is I would choose a MINI over the minivan any day of the week - I definitely feel much safer in the Coop. An empty van can be pretty light too, with the disadvantage that it has a higher center of gravity and a large side area making it feel like it was being easily buffeted area by the wind during winter. Of course I have traction control and most importantly a good set of snow tires in my MINI, which helps enormously.

If you're staying with your all-season tires, check the weather condition before travelling. If it hasn't snowed recently and the roads are cleared, you should be fine. Otherwise, you may need chains.

 

I do belive if you look in the owners manual it says to turn off DSC in snow and icey conditions.

 

I havent read that myself. I should check it out I guess. (i dont think that is true necessarily to be honest, at least not for all conditions as it is a anti-slip/spinout mechanism!) ???

anyways, the car is sick in the snow if you dont have wide tires. 175's on a 15" holies sounds like the best winter tire setup possible. throw on some snow tires and youll be zooming around suv's. (any front wheel drive car with skinny snow tires can do this)

 

I agree with sugarbelly....the skinnier the better. I ordered my 04 MC with 175/65/15 continental allseasons for this reason and the car is very very good in the snow...you really have to work at it to make it slide around. But I did order separate snow tires with rims (Pirelli Snow Controls) from tire rack and now the car has improved from very very good to now excellent

 

Hi,

Go for dedicated snow tires ..... look fo rthe mountain symbol on the side wall. I'm in Central Ontario, Canada and run Pirelli Snow Controls on 15" rims. When selecting snow tires go for the thinnest that you can get, it concentrates the weight onto a smaller surfact area. I use my MCS ALL year round and can honestly say that I've had NO problem getting around.

As far as the traction control, use it once you are out of the stop/start areas (it will warn you if black ice is around), but deselect it when you want to get low RPM traction except for on steep hills/junctions when your traction control will get you up hills that trucks cannot make.

The FWD and power that you have with a MC or a MCS will hold you on the road provided you use that power ..... drive positively and not as if you were in a RWD Mustang.

Just my .02c

Paul

 

Since you don't wanna change tires for just one trip, get snow cables. The owner's manual states you cannot put snow chains, but snow cables are alright. Only for tire size 175/65/15 or 175/60/15 however. I have no idea where you can buy them, but the dealership should be able to help.

I have snow tires on holies, as long as the snow is less than 4 inches deep, don't worry about it, but anything higher than 5 inches, consider turning around. I've had the MINI stuck (really, really stuck) trying to drive on 6-8 inches of fluffy stuff. The car just get high centered after a little while, and with the snow all packed and jammed under the car it won't move an inch.

 

The deep snow is the only issue I have had with my car, it is just too low. We get lake effect snow every day up here.

Otherwise winter conditions driving capability are mostly based on your tires, IMO.

 

I don't know if chains are actually legal in VT, maybe someone that knows can chime in. BUT, I know snow chains /etc are legal in the northwest, but in many states, it's not legal to use them - ever.

I have heard that there are (figuratively speaking) "no" snowplows in Vermont, though. So expect snow on the roads.

I think that if you're careful and don't run in to any really foul weather, you'd be fine on the all-season runflats. Snow chains/etc might be nice peace-of-mind, but I wouldn't put them on unless you either confirm it's legal OR the weather is so terrible that you're willing to take a ticket for the added traction.

 

In my short MCS history, I have been in the snow and ice quite a bit. We have serious snow today as well. I have a 6-speed MCS with LSD and DSC and have had no issues so far. I made the trip to Toronto last week during the 'major winter storm of the season' and had no issues.

 

Hmm, my car has over 18k miles with the original RFs that look like new, I've had the right rear plugged, the car rides quite smoothly on any half-way decent road (no different than any other small car I've owned), and I can drive circles around most other cars.

As far as snow and ice, I recommend leaving the DSC on. It makes forward motion virtually effortless without all kinds of wheel spin.

My .16 bit.

Zip

 

Well i took my Mini for it's first fun in the snow this morning. I had to take my GF home and the roads weren't plowed. The mini did great. Never once did i feel scared or unsafe. I even had some fun in the Home depot and target Parking lots.

YEAH for SNOW!!!!!!

 

MINI's are never bad...

No Snow here, (unless I take it up to the mountains). I hope my MINI likes the sunshine. Plenty here.... Maybe a little sun tan oil is necessary (car wax).

 

I absolutly have runflats ! My bad on the wheel size, though.

 

Well, I was being sarcastic but..... You get about 20% or so less miles on a runflat. Dealer says expect 25k to 30k tops. Not bad, but you can do better.

I also love the ride in my car, but again, it can be improved by changing tires.
Same with the handling. I've "driven the car the way it's meant to be driven" ;-) On hilly twists it's like owning your own roller coaster ! Still,
switching tires will still improve things.

Thanks for the input !

 

Thanks for all of the input so far. Mini owners Rule !

So let's see..... Runflats are not the best choice but can hang on plowed roads, snow tires are good,thin snow tires are best. No chains, consider cables, but make sure it's OK in Vermont. 5 Inches or less snow it's a go,6 inches or more it's a tow !

You guys made a good point about buying used rims on Ebay, I might have to look into that, it's a good idea.

Driving skill counts. ( no problem there... I even driven my J30 in snow, and they fishtail on dry roads !)

Any other owners have snow experience with runflats ?

 

Well, there hasn't been any snow in the NorthEast either! Last Sunday I was driving my Cabrio with the top down, and I was in a tshirt, and it's January !

This week the cold weather rolled in. I STILL drive the Mini with the top down, I just wear a winter coat !