Ummmm...dumb question, but how will the steel rims with snows effect the dash sensor for the low pressure on the tires?

 

Not dumb at all. As long as you have air in all 4 of your tires you will be fine. The low tire pressure warning on your car uses the abs wheel speed sensors to detect if a wheel is traveling faster than the others. That is how it knows you have a low tire. It doesn't care what kind of wheels or tires you run.

 

If I could do it all over again I would have bought a 3rd car beater to drive in the winter. Actually, I should have never gotten rid of my 95 jeep and kept it for winter driving. I pay cash for all vehicles and at the time $15,000 up front looked better than $18,500. So my advice is to keep the MCS for summer and spring. I now have more miles than I would like as I drive the thing all the time year round. Nice color and year choice by the way

 

I am in the "just use it in winter" party. I've used all of my cars regardless of weather(Wisconsin gets some pretty nasty winters) and none of my car has rust on it. Only marks have been incidents during non-winter months. I've spunned out, got stuck in deep snow, got pulled out and still no damage. I have yet to test this with the new Clubman but I would assume its quality is as good, if not better, than GM's.

 

The Blizzaks on 15" wheels work well for me. Three winters so far. When there's too much snow - 6" or more and still coming down, I stay home. The risk is not worth the trip. If the roads have been plowed ity's not an issue. Hell, I usually pass SUVs on the Palisades Parkway on my way to work. :-)

 

Cash, huh?

 

I've had 2 February trips to Newfoundland. That's how much confidence I have in my MINI as a winter car. I run 16" Hankook Ice Bears on factory v-spokes for a winter combo. I also whole heartidly recommend a skid plate to protect the vitals.

 

Find a mid 90's+ Jeep Cherokee. They are around 1-2k+.

 

Too late, already bought the rims and tires....the MINI is going thru the winter like it or not.

 

It'll be fun. Maryland only had 1 or 2 days of snow, it was lame. Black ice on the other hand...

 

DRIVE IT!


Taken at the PittStopMINI Wintry Driving Refresher, held every February at BeaveRun.
That's actually not me, it's Jason. This is me - on my old winter wheels


2 winters on mine so far, no issues.

Recommendations:
- Dunlop M3 snows, 195/55/16 on stock 5-spoke alloys: Great tires, easy-to-clean wheels
- Clear Bra (wish I'd have done this, stone chips suck)
- Skidplate (keeps those icebergs from damaging anything expensive, like a p/s fan)
- Heated Seats are wonderful

 

How about some real world trials. Here's part of our group doing a scavenger hunt in Port-aux-Basques, NL.

 

Amen and +1 brother. I really regret not getting one, and will have one installed after I eventually repaint. I underestimated the level of crap that other vehicles throw at you during winter highway driving. I even modify my routes to avoid getting stuck motoring behind 18-wheeled sand blasters.

This is the only issue I have with winter driving, and wx conditions can be fairly extreme around here. Snow tires on stock holies, and I don't miss a beat--in total control, even when other cars are fish-tailing or staring at me from the roadside ditch.

And another +1...my Cobalt aluminum skid plate is awaiting install.

 

Just an FYI as I ordered my winter wheels and tires today. (I'm a procrastinator...I know) The Dunlop M3 snow tires (NON-runflats) are out of stock in 16" from TireRack and don't expect anymore in. Probably either have to go with a different size or run-flats if you want them from TireRack. I went with the Blizzak LM-25's instead.

And yes, I love heated seats!

 

+2 for the Cobalt skid plate.

Make sure to use stainless steel bolts if you ever want to get that plate off again.

 

This is kind of why I purchased early, so I wouldnt get the out of stock answer. My plain black steel 15" wheels and Blizzak WS-60 came in today, they look great, I just wanted the cheapest combo that worked. I could care less what the wheels look like as long they are functional, plus now I dont have to worry about them(Cheap and steel).

 

I'm waiting for a 2009 MCS I ordered. For the most part I'll be driving it more in the Winter than any other time. Thats because I ride a motorcycle most of the time. However with the Mini being such a fun car to drive, that may change.

 

You guys have a link for this Cobalt skid plate? I'm interested. Thanks!
They're calling for a rough winter in the Northeast this year. We'll see.

 

Ask, and ye shall receive...

http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=36721

 

I drove both my audis in the winter (no duh quattro)
and i drove my gti.!







and i drive my MINI in the winter! its tons of fun : )

 

Amen, brother! There was a member who got some cad-plated bolts and had extras a while back. I used those and installed them with some anti-seize on the threads. You will eventually want to take that plate off, mine was when the dealer over-torqued the oil pan bolt. Thankfully, with the corrosion-resistant bolts it came right off. Clean the threads as well - they will get rusty in there, and prevent the bolt from fully installing.

Sorry to hear about M3's being out of stock, that's too bad. Had heard good things about the Hankook Icebears (discount tire, www.tires.com), and have had great experience with Semperits and Michelins in the past as well.

 

Thanks for the link, Gil-galad! And the heads up on the SS bolts. Makes purrrfect sense.