>>"standard snows are worse on ice then all-seasons...."
>>
>>That's interesting, I've never heard that before. I was under the impression that a significant difference between winter specific tires and all-seasons was the temperature range in which the rubber compound worked best in.

Yep, here's a thread where a posted a quote from The Straight Dope, and
here's the acutal article, concerning black ice...

Rocketboy_X

 

Anyone else notice that the MINI drinks windshield washer fluid?

Between the washers for the windscreen, the rear glass, and the headlights, that's a lot of fluid. I had filled mine before this most recent snow two days ago. This morning my windshield reservior emptied on the way in to work. side note: for those that wondered, the rear glass and the headlights use the same reservior (at least on MINIs with headlight washers). Between the two reserviors I was able to empty a full gallon jug.

 

>>Anyone else notice that the MINI drinks windshield washer fluid?

Yes--and running out of fluid with the sodium chloride on the streets is no fun. That stuff really makes a mess of the windsheild. I found it only takes a really quick blast to clear the front windshield.

 

Yeah. It should be designed to hold a larger quantity...but it is a problem
in many cars. No salt on the roads or snow and ice here in FL but lots of big birds!!! and lots of big birds S*#T. :evil:

 

>>Anyone else notice that the MINI drinks windshield washer fluid?
>>
>>Between the washers for the windscreen, the rear glass, and the headlights, that's a lot of fluid. I had filled mine before this most recent snow two days ago. This morning my windshield reservior emptied on the way in to work. side note: for those that wondered, the rear glass and the headlights use the same reservior (at least on MINIs with headlight washers). Between the two reserviors I was able to empty a full gallon jug.


Yes! I wish the headlight washers had their own switch because I don't need them as often. I know they don't operate every time you wash the windshield, but they do go pretty regularly.

 

I live in Denver also and for the last few moorings my stick shifter has been frozen/stuck in gear. After a few minuets of wiggling around it frees up and everything is fine. I also agree to turn off the DSC. Its drives a little better that way.

 

S or a Cooper?

 

It took a while to adjust to the sensitive/skittish handling of the MINI. Now with snow and ice on the streets it is difficult to dustinguish the MINI "tracking" imperfections from loosing traction. Over rough snow at moderate speed it shifts around a lot reminding me that it is a light car.

As I cautiously headed down 6th into golden the roads were completely covered in packed, unplowed, chunky snow. It was difficult to hold a line. So as any MINI owner would do, I decided to push the envelope a little. With no one in site I hit the middle lane and started swerving within my perceived lane--the usual "just how bad are the roads" test. As I increase the tightness of each turn, and had to counter steer, the MINI just kept pulling straight (no DSC on my cooper...too bad). It was handling fine! It just felt really sketchy as it was "tracking" every bump of snow when I wasn't screwing around. Anyone else finding the steering to feel twitchy in heavy snow? Or is it the 17" pirelli runflats that stink for yet another reason!? I know...pirelli's in snow is a bad idea to begin with.

 

I'm also noticing the lack of ground clearance. My MINI is lowered about 3/4" in front and an inch in back. Ice chunks are noticable. Glad I got the Moss MINI skid plate.

 

6f7,

Are you okay with not having DSC? It is something I am not sure if I want to pay for. I have never needed it before and I have always been just fine. I never push the envelope to far and with how well the cooper can handle with respect to how much power it has I don't see how I could get my self into trouble. I mean I could see getting into more trouble with say a new Porsche Carrera than a cooper. A Porsche handles amazingly well but I have found that since it is so technically advanced it can meet and exceeds its extremely high limits pretty easily.

Kenny

 

>>S or a Cooper?


I have a S Cooper :smile:

 

>>6f7,
>>
>>Are you okay with not having DSC? It is something I am not sure if I want to pay for. I have never needed it before and I have always been just fine. I never push the envelope to far and with how well the cooper can handle with respect to how much power it has I don't see how I could get my self into trouble. I mean I could see getting into more trouble with say a new Porsche Carrera than a cooper. A Porsche handles amazingly well but I have found that since it is so technically advanced it can meet and exceeds its extremely high limits pretty easily.
>>
>>Kenny

I have never had a car with DSC, so I don't miss it.

I have really mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I don't want a computer making all the calls--the electronically controlled throttle already creates a disconnect between your actions and the car at times. I like to know a cars limits and how it reactes when it approaches these limits--predictability is a priority.

However, it's judgements may prevent a me from winding up in a ditch and pay for itself. The DSC also has control of each wheel individually--something a person could never do. Then again, the DSC is only as good as the person that coded the software.

Who knows!? If you are going to always wonder if you should I have gotten it or you will feel that your MINI is not as good--then get it. Enjoy the car, not regret it! My MINI has no cruise, no heated seats, no nav, no heated windsheild, no xenons, no DSC...etc. I just like my cars simple and fun as h*ll! Decide what is right for you and get a MINI already!

Do people with DSC always leave it on? Does its operation go unnoticed? When it is active are you glad it came on to help out?

 

>>I'm also noticing the lack of ground clearance. My MINI is lowered about 3/4" in front and an inch in back. Ice chunks are noticable. Glad I got the Moss MINI skid plate.
I used to live in Lake Placid, NY. At Whiteface, with skis on we called those ice
chunks, "Death Cookies."

 

>>6f7,
>>
>>Are you okay with not having DSC? It is something I am not sure if I want to pay for. I have never needed it before and I have always been just fine. I never push the envelope to far and with how well the cooper can handle with respect to how much power it has I don't see how I could get my self into trouble. I mean I could see getting into more trouble with say a new Porsche Carrera than a cooper. A Porsche handles amazingly well but I have found that since it is so technically advanced it can meet and exceeds its extremely high limits pretty easily.
>>
>>Kenny

Not a snow-related reply, but I thought I'd share an experience with the DSC I had the other day:

It had been raining and the roads were wet, plus there were leaves on the ground (not a lot at this particular intersection, but some). I was in a bit of a hurry, so I decided to "go for it" from the T-intersection stop sign and pulled out quickly (turning left) in front of an oncoming car and another car coming up in the same direction I was headed. I felt the front wheels starting to slip and thought "Oh Sh*t, I'm cooked, dumb move moron" - but before I finished the thought (or lifted my foot off the gas pedal) the DSC started compensating and Molly kept pulling hard in the precise direction I wanted to go!!! I was THRILLED!

I'm sold, I love it!


_________________
Pure Silver w/ black MC, Premium, Sports, and Cold-weather pkgs, CVT, + NAV system - and that little shark-fin antenna! (too much fun!)

 

Come to think of it, I have a different story about DSC that I figure I might as well share while I'm at it....

_________________
Pure Silver w/ black MC, Premium, Sports, and Cold-weather pkgs, CVT, + NAV system - and that little shark-fin antenna! (too much fun!)

 

I drove on ice this morning, on my 17" Goodyear Eagle RS-As. I was really surprised by how well the car worked with this tire. 70+ mph on the interstate, no problem. I was on my way to pick up my new Bridgestone Blizzaks on 15" wheels, thinking: "I just wasted good money on snow tires, while these tires are just fine". Well... after putting those snow tires on, I drove in some of the most intense winter driving conditions I have seen in years. I'm glad I got the Blazzaks, but the car itself is simply amazing! I was expecting much less in terms of winter usability. It is a little bit low(I was plowing snow with the front end :smile: As far as the DSC is concerned: I wasn't planning to order it, but it came with my car. I think it is great! You have to be acting pretty silly to activate it on dry pavement, but on ice I think it is a nice saftey net. It really works! When the tires start to give out, the car just magically slows down and stays on line. I'm sure it wouldn't be able to keep you out of the ditch if you are being a complete idiot, but it really works for the"oh $h!*!, I just stepped over the edge a little bit!" minor slip-ups. Don't go sniveling to your mom about what a stodgy nerd I am, just my $.02. Besides, it is cheaper than a tow-n-fender repair, and you can always turn it off at the track. I figure that if it's there, you might as well take advantage of it. BTW: My car won't spin the front wheels with the DSC on (even on glare ice) Just a slight chirp, and then as quick acceleration as the surface will allow. I'm sold.
Cheers all, I hope the length of this post didn't bore any of you...

 

Well, the MINI got the test this week with all the snow here in Denver. I commute to Boulder. Like DaveinDenver I was stuck in the traffic comming home from Boulder but I was taking all the side streets that were no being plowed, wanted to really test the MINI. I have the 17" run flats. The DSC did keep me out of the ditch. Couldn't say the same for others out there. It did well with the snow and ice for three days. The DSC only kicked on a few times during that timeframe. It is a different story when the road is full of slush. The MINI does not like it at all. The DSC was on a lot trying to keep the line and rotate the tires. I turned it off but it only got worse. So back on it went. The slush would build up on the tires but I was persistant and the MINI had no choice and keept me going.

I'm glad I drove the MINI but my wife is now looking at the BMW X5 for winter slush driving. It does well in snow and ice but not to well in slush. Maybe a different story if I didn't have the perilli run flats.

 

>>I'm also noticing the lack of ground clearance.

Since I read this I've been trying to find - without any success - this neat thing I saw a few years back (questionable practicality).

Did anyone else ever see this: A plastic snow plow that you could attach to ANY vehicle? I think it somehow attached to the bumper or something. I saw it in one of those goofy mail order catalogs - my best guess is I saw it in 1995.

At this point, it is just driving me crazy that I can't find it or anything like it. It almost makes me wonder if I'm losing my mind.

 

>>Did anyone else ever see this: A plastic snow plow that you could attach to ANY vehicle? I think it somehow attached to the bumper or something. I saw it in one of those goofy mail order catalogs - my best guess is I saw it in 1995.

I remember it but don't think it is made anymore.
you could try this (click here) but the vehicle is you .

 

Well, at least I don't feel quite so loony since someone else remembers it!

As for the plow link. Hmmmm. I think I'll stick with a regular shovel. I don't imagine I have enough mass or traction to make that plow work well.

 

Today I spent some time talking to a BMW Canada sales exec. He's a HUGE MCS fan - absolutely LOVES the car.

Anyway, we were talking about any problems that they're consistently hearing about. Only one issue surfaces routinely: snow.

The bottom line is: Get snow tires - any brand, any kind!

I told him that my dealer has a winter tire special on right now - MINI wheels and Continental snows (not run flats). His attitude was shop around and get the best deal, but whatever you do, get snow tires!

I've had great luck with Blizzaks on my Celica GTS. I won't get delivery of my MCS for two weeks (wow - that's getting close!) but already I'm shopping for wheels and snows. Somethings not right. Will I even get to drive on the summer rubber?

Question: My MCS has the Sport Package, so it comes with the 17" wheels. From what I gather on the various forums, I should go with the 16" snows. Yet, some of the MINI drivers are saying they've opted for 15" winter rubber. I think I read that the MCS doesn't ride properly with 15" wheels. Any thoughts?

_________________
=R=
My Sharona (Arriving late Nov.): LY/B MCS, Stripes, Premium & Sport Packs, Sunroof & Leather. Cold Pack is included in Canada, eh?

Got ATTITUDE? Get http://ShitDisturber.com. THE email with Attitude!

 

Check out the wheel and tire forum.... There are a couple different threads on there discussing the winter tire issue (one being started by me). The issue of tire size is also discussed. The forum is moderated by Dave from Tire Rack, so you will be able to get some good info from him. Also, (unsolicited testimonial) check out the Tire Rack's web site for their wheel and tire packages for Blizzaks. Best deal I've seen even including shipping and installation costs.

 

>>The forum is moderated by Dave from Tire Rack

Just because there are a number of Daves that frequent this board and it might cause confusion (it has once before), I thought I would point out that it is actually Dan from TireRack. :smile:

But your point is right on the mark!

_________________
Molly is a PS/B MC, with all 3 pkgs, CVT, + NAV system - and that little shark-fin antenna! (too much fun!)


<img src=https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/albums/album04/biw.thumb.jpg>