Hi all!

I'm a newbie on this site... I tried (well my dad tried) the Mini last Saturday and we are going back tonight to try the Cooper S! I will need to work on my standard skills, but I might just buy a Mini shortly!

My only worry is the height of the car because of the snow we get in the Winters... I have a SUV right now and of course, I never get stuck anywhere, even after a snow storm.

I am also considering a GTI as I think this car is slightly higher off the ground, am I right?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

:smile:

 

>>My only worry is the height of the car because of the snow we get in the Winters... I have a SUV right now and of course, I never get stuck anywhere, even after a snow storm.
>>

I've been through my share of Western New York snowstorms, and lemme tell you, driving in the snow is 25% car, and 75% driver... a good driver does not need an all wheel drive car to make it through snow.... And actually, i personally would be more cautious in an SUV then a regular car, as with the higher center of gravity that an SUV has, it's much more inherently unstable then your average car... But if it's the sheer size of snowdrifts you are worried about, I wouldn't be too worried... I lived in a trailer park (don't ask) for a few years, and I had to use a toyota turcel (sp?) as a snow plow quite a few times.... once again, it's all a matter of how you drive...

Rocketboy_X

 

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I agree with Rocketboy_X.
I traded in a 93 Acura Integra for my Mini. When I bought the Integra, several people who had one or experience with one warned me about driving with 'performance tires'. I spent 8 winters with my Integra in Minnesota and never had a problem. I sometimes feel I am one of the few people on the road that know that the stated speed limit is for good conditions and not the recommended speed to drive in snow. Also the Integra was lower to the ground than the Mini. I loved the Integra, I had it for 9 years and only had normal repairs, it was a great car. The Mini feels so much 'heavier' and handles better, that I can not believe it will not handle well in the snow.

 

I agree with Rocketboy_X.
I traded in a 93 Acura Integra for my Mini. When I bought the Integra, several people who had one or experience with one warned me about driving with 'performance tires'. I spent 8 winters with my Integra in Minnesota and never had a problem. I sometimes feel I am one of the few people on the road that know that the stated speed limit is for good conditions and not the recommended speed to drive in snow. Also the Integra was lower to the ground than the Mini. I loved the Integra, I had it for 9 years and only had normal repairs, it was a great car. The Mini feels so much 'heavier' and handles better, that I can not believe it will not handle well in the snow.

 

I pulled a Land Cruiser out of a snow filled ditch last year with my Astro... He was shocked he got stuck in his $35,000 box on wheels! You're just as dangerous in any car durring the winter... Just being late in a turn, or accidentally getting onto a soft shoulder can be disasterous.... Also, the MINI isn't THAT low to the ground... The 6" of clearance is from the spoiler under the tranny... If you take that off, you have something like 7"!

 

Thanks for your comments... I know I would not have any problem driving the Mini in the Winter, it's just that I would'nt like to get "stuck" on a road somewhere... but I've seen that happen to Civics, etc... so I guess I won't be the only one with this problem when there will be a foot of snow or more on the streets!

 

A snow tip from BMW. If you ever get stuck in the snow witha car equiped with DSC or ASC, turn off the DSC or ASC to rock the car out of the snow. If you don't the DSC/ASC will not let you rock the car! Being a Canuck myself I look forward to trying this!

 

Rocketboy_X is right. I haven't seen anyone brought up the fact that this car is also a front wheel drive. That will help in your favor, besides would you really want a GTI? MINI, GTI, GTI, MINI, you've been to this site, so I think you already know what you really want. The GTI!

_________________
Gobsmacked
2002 MCS DrkSilver/white top with white bonnet stripes and rally lights, P&S packages, can be seen on pages 31 & 32 of Member MINI 's

 

Nothing beats a AWD or 4x4 on unplowed terrain, however, is that what you drive in?
I live in Northwest Indiana with what we call "lake effect" snow. The year after I sold my jeep we got over 97" of snow in 50 days. I was driving a Saab 9-3 or a minivan and never got stuck. The tuffest part was getting out of my driveway after the plow went by. If you need to drive to get that pizza during a snow emergency, then reconsider anything without AWD, but for most people a front driver will do 95% of the time. Most vehicles I see stuck in snow banks are 4x4's.

 

From what I've seen in my area 4X4's just let you get more stuck. You'll be a better and safer driver. Another good idea is to take an advanced driver training course. BMW offer them at a very reasonalble price in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, and a lot of colleges across the country offer them as well.( you might even get a break on your insurance of you have one!!) Most of all drive safe.(and that doesn't always meen drive slow! driving to slow in fast traffic is just as dangerous as driving recklessly fast!) Just my $0.02. I hope I've helped and not sounded patronizing(thats not what I was trying to do).

 

minifinn... Ahh, lake effect, I feel your pain... it's thoes darn great lakes that gives Buffalo the undeserved image of being under snow 6 months of the year... but it's good (?) to know that there's other people out there who know the pain of lake effect snow...

wainair... I always cringe when i see 4x4's speeding around in the winter... yes, all wheel drive, or 4x4 does help you get up and go, and to stay even in the turns, but if you have to stop, well, all that fancy drive equipment does not mean a hill of beans, and it seems that most 4x4/all wheel drive drivers forget that very important part about winter driving...

Rocketboy_X

 

I know what you are talking about. Here they call it "ocean effect." I had a '79 Honda Civic hatchback, an '88 Civic sedan, and two Ford Festivas--the first in Maine; the rest in Massachusetts. They all did well in the snow, except once I tried to go through some unploughed snow in a parking lot and ended up like a beached whale.... After a deer did my last Festiva in (pitch dark, oncoming headlights, deer runs out in front of me, poor deer, poor car), I had to get a '95 Neon in that emergency. The first snowfall I got stuck twice in snow that never would have stopped the other cars, the Neon was so low it simply "ran aground." Does anyone know if the MINI is higher?

 

Chloe: What area of a Canadian winter are we talkin' here, out of curiousity? I'm living in BC right now. Lived in Ontario and Alberta. So far Calgary has been the worse of the 3.
I've done a couple tests with the Cooper'S', and it proves to be very solid on dry pavement. Handles like a dream. I actually almost can't wait for the snow to fall to see how she handles. I know it won't be a problem. Should be able to do it with the all seasons on. But for peace of mind or heavy snow and ice, winter tires would even double up on the excellent handling and grip.
I had a modified '99 Cougar (FWD) a few years back. Dropped it with adjustable springs to about 3 inches off the ground. Everyone told me to wind up the springs for the snow clearance, but I didn't bother. I made out perfectly. Had some Blizzacks on as well. Ended up plowing a few parts of the road every now and then, but the clearance was good. Don't think the MINI should be a problem in snow. Wouldn't be surpised if there were more MINI in the rally races. I think it'll be a blast to rip around in the snow. It'll eat it up like everything else.
Cheers,

 

In my case, I live in Quebec and I can't wait to bring the MINI (when I get it) to my hometown Chicoutimi. From Quebec City to Chicoutimi, you have to drive through hwy 175 known as "Parc des Laurentides". It's a natural reserve located in a mountain chain, which means great curves for the MINI to motor in. I have to say that the first drive through it it the winter I'll be careful since the Parc kinda has a climate of its own.

SO if one day you're motoring in that part of the province of Quebec, I recommand that road!

FreddyBoy