Why are you on a mini forum bashing minis?

 

Im not,I was making the point that Minis break,some VWs are made in Germany,and I think a Diesel Golf/Jetta would make a better winter car.
Having said that I enjoy the Mini in the warm weather and its more fun to drive than the VW but this thread was not about a summer ride was it.

 

Right, but the OP asked about driving a MINI in winter, not "what other cars besides a MINI can I drive in winter?"

19 of the 52 posts in this thread so far are from you about how great a Jetta does in the snow. It's not the OP's question.

And don't give us that crap that MINIs break, like VWs don't. My next door neighbor had a Jetta and a Golf at the same time, and eventually had to replace so many crappy plastic parts that broke that after 2 years, he sold BOTH of them.

 

Now, for the OP:

Good suggestions so far - get a skid plate, some 15" steelies and some good snow tires and you should be ready to rock. Anything the MINI can't handle with that set up, you shouldn't be out driving in anyway.

As far as things to look for - of course, lower mileage is always better...try for an 05/06 rather than 02-04 (several changes were made for 05 that improved reliability). There are a few standard things to look for - motor mounts (leaking), door lock/window motors, and strut towers (mushrooming)...those are probably the most common things that go wrong on an 05/06.

And be prepared to turn it into a summer driver, as well

 

Like i said before, here in New England... Where i believe BIRD67 is located, and this is me personally... i have had NO problem driving my S in any of the winter storms, before, after, or during. I used to commute 45 minutes to work daily (and havent been late), from the hills near the Berkshires down to Springfield, early in the morning, sometimes before the plows have been around where i lived.

My car has the stock rolling attire, it all depends on how you drive.. i guess. I have passed several cars (safely of course), that couldnt even get out of their own way. I have driven many cars (and especially trucks), and have found that the MINI goes extremely well in the snow, and is also a blast to do so. It also has close to the same clearance as many other popular cars. You cant beat the safety reports on it either. If you can wait, test drive one in the winter and see for yourself.

 

Like i said before, here in New England... Where i think BIRD67 is located, and this is me personally... i have had NO problem driving my S in any of the winter storms, before, after, or during. I used to commute 45 minutes to work daily (and havent been late), from the hills near the Berkshires down to Springfield, early in the morning, sometimes before the plows have been around where i lived.

My car has the stock rolling attire, it all depends on how you drive.. i guess. I have passed several cars (safely of course), that couldnt even get out of their own way. I have driven many cars (and especially trucks), and have found that the MINI goes extremely well in the snow, and is also a blast to do so. It also has close to the same clearance as many other popular cars. You cant beat the safety reports on it either. If you can wait, test drive one in the winter and see for yourself.

 

Oops sorry double post

 

You must have a different kind of snow in the USA because my Mini
sucks in Canadian snow,in Canadian slush and on Canadian ice.I run good snows on all four corners so its not the rubber on the street thats bad.

 

Great summer car though.

 

I guess i must just be experienced.

 

Then perhaps it's something more like what this poster indicated:

 

Morgan Hill CA...Do you get alot of snow there?I would certainly
take your word on snow driving as gospel.

 

If you can drive in snow you can tell a good snow car from a poor snow car.
I guess it is a matter of experience.

 

Minis bite in the white

 

No, I get zero snow here, but I got over 100 inches in Wisconsin this year (where I spend 3-4 months out of any given year, as well as the 21 years I lived there), as well as the several feet I get at the cabin each year in the Sierra Mountains. ALL of which I drive the MINI in, with no problems whatsoever.

 

Ok you all win Minis are the best car ever to drive in the snow.No other car is even close ,there will never be a car even close to the awsome snow driving
one experiences in a Mini.You have all change my mind you Gurus of snow.
I bow to your great wisdom.I just wished I lived close to all of you and owned a tow truck.

 

I'd cool this discussion if i were you redlinedave. This isn't a MINI bashing forum. If you wanna do that check out vwvortex.com or any other VW forum that you'd fancy

 

WOW.

 

ahhh, yes. You're so educated about your cars that you can't even tell a MINI from MG Metro
I still don't see how Jetta/Golf makes a better car in the snow. You haven't supported your statement with any good argument whatsoever. I've driven plenty of vehicles and raced plenty in the snow and can tell you that any car is capable as long as you have Winter tires and know what you're doing.

 

i guess the snow must be different up there. or maybe you should stick to driving something thats AWD with snow tires.

U might want to quit while youre ahead.. or wait a minute...

 

 

I do fine in my other car,its the Mini thats bad in the snow.I am ahead,all the Minis are stuck.

 

Im not bashing Minis Im just stateing the are not the best choice for a winter car.As I have said before they are tons of fun in the summer.

 

:bump: if this thread doesn't cool down i'm gonna shut it down.

 

If bird hasn't been keeping up with this thread, when he comes back to read it he will find it funny I bet.