R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 MCS in the snow.

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Old Dec 2, 2002 | 05:39 PM
  #1  
Steinsztykler's Avatar
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From: PsikoGarden
Well, got about 4 inches of snow in Michigan today.
I could not believe how well it handles on the nasty surface.
Traction control and DSC do a wonderful job!
BRING IT ON!!!
 
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Old Dec 2, 2002 | 06:48 PM
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Where in Mich? I am in the Detroit metro area (Livonia)..I too ran my "S" for the 1st time in the snow.. Did pretty good (I have the Goodyear M+S tires).. The frpnt ABS? brakes really worked...but it also tended to "plow" to the side even with the DSC, but overall OK..My biggest concern is that if we get ay know over 4", my front facia will become a SNOW PLOW becase of limited clearance in the front..Where R U in Mich?
 
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Old Dec 2, 2002 | 07:26 PM
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From: Metro Detroit
St. Clair Shores here. I commute to Farmington Hills everday for work.
My MC also did did great in the white stuff. I found I would turn the DSC off to get going then back on once I was rolling.
I'm not a huge fan of the RPMs diving when I'm trying move forward.
Now if the rest of the folks would just learn to stay home, winter driving would be a breeze. Hahaha.
FWIW, I saw a blonde girl driving a BRG MINI around the royal oak area on 696 today.
Yet another MINI on the road here in Metro Detroit. Gotta love it.

Lobo
 
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Old Dec 2, 2002 | 08:01 PM
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From: PsikoGarden
Yeah, if all those bleeding fools with their oversize truck sort of vehicles would learn about cars. I've heard way 2 many "how will it do in the snow comments".
**** off!!
I'm rolling thru Dearborn and it's fun.
Got to get some zzzzz.... Intercontinental Cup is on @ 5 AM!!!
 
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Old Dec 2, 2002 | 08:23 PM
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From: Michigan, USA
I have been out motoring in the Michigan snow also. MCS did awesome. Switching off traction control to get going works really well then turn it back on when moving again. My concern is low ground clearance in front also. Turn on those heated seats and go play in the snow.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2002 | 08:25 PM
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From: Motor City, Detroit, Michigan
I going to take my MCS with performance tyres and DSC out in the snow for a practice run. But it will stay garaged most of the Winter I'm sure.

Anybody else driven the MINI with performance tyres in the snow.

 
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Old Dec 2, 2002 | 08:33 PM
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From: Michigan, USA
I've got those Goodyear all season runflats, 17in.
They seem to work quite well.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2002 | 09:52 PM
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From: plymouth, mi
>>I going to take my MCS with performance tyres and DSC out in the snow for a practice run. But it will stay garaged most of the Winter I'm sure.
>>
>>Anybody else driven the MINI with performance tyres in the snow.
>>


i do....it wasn't bad today...but couldn't get up to speed on the motorway...too much traffic

 
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Old Dec 2, 2002 | 09:54 PM
  #9  
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From: plymouth, mi
>>Where in Mich? I am in the Detroit metro area (Livonia)..I too ran my "S" for the 1st time in the snow.. Did pretty good (I have the Goodyear M+S tires).. The frpnt ABS? brakes really worked...but it also tended to "plow" to the side even with the DSC, but overall OK..My biggest concern is that if we get ay know over 4", my front facia will become a SNOW PLOW becase of limited clearance in the front..Where R U in Mich?


plymouth here..........sounds like the metro area is becoming mini country...but i never see any

 
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Old Dec 5, 2002 | 04:55 AM
  #10  
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From: Bloomfield New Jersey
its snowing in nj today, i will put madge to the test in about an hour or so.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2002 | 12:41 PM
  #11  
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From: Motor City, Detroit, Michigan
I drove the MINI on an abandoned snow-covered parking lot. It was maybe one inch to 3 inches deep in places. I pushed the limits of adhesion and the MINI performed great. I'm still not sure if the Performance tyres are poor or not. They were pretty good in the snow to me. :smile:

I'm sure snow tyres are best, but I wanted to know if I could survive in some snow with the Performance tyres. At the very least the DSC and ABS make it the best car I have ever driven in the snow.

I took a service road bend a little faster than I should and the DSC kept the MINI in line. I had a few close calls with traffic islands which brought me back to reality, but I don't intend to drive like that on the road.

Conclusions: First, the performance tyres are fine if the snow isn't too deep and second, you should get the DSC.

...and THIRD, THE MINI IS JUST AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
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Old Dec 5, 2002 | 03:00 PM
  #12  
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From: Chicago, IL
I took delivery during a snow storm in chicago on Monday night, so my first drive was on snow covered roads. I was very impressed.

I have the all season tires on my MCS, which have decent traction, but it's the DSC that really makes the difference. It inspires complete confidence.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2002 | 03:04 PM
  #13  
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From: Massachusetts
>>I took delivery during a snow storm in chicago on Monday night, so my first drive was on snow covered roads. I was very impressed.
>>
>>I have the all season tires on my MCS, which have decent traction, but it's the DSC that really makes the difference. It inspires complete confidence.

Congrats! on picking up your car! I agree that the DSC is helpful, but has been noted in several threads, even DSC can't bypass the laws of physics. Take it easy out there and don't get too confident about getting saved by the computer.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2002 | 04:17 PM
  #14  
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From: Surrey, British Columbia
On behalf of those of us with performance tires who live in areas (south coast of British Columbia) where snow is a possibility rather than a likelihood, let me say thanks for the feedback on traction and control. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who doesn't want to spend good money buying snow tires if it isn't complely warranted. Minor snowfall + intelligent attitude + DSC = safe drive to and from work.

:smile:
 
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Old Dec 5, 2002 | 04:25 PM
  #15  
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From: Long Island, New York
The NY area got about 6 inches and although my baby was warm and dry all day long in my garage, I got the erge to go for a blast this evening after reading some of the mail today.

The DSC definately works great, but the front end plows a bit in the drifts.

First storm down bring on the blizzards!!!
 
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Old Dec 6, 2002 | 08:08 PM
  #16  
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jowannamini
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From: Bloomfield New Jersey
I didnt get the DSC and my tires are only 15 " and mini performed great this week in the snow, i went up very steep hills and everything. Im very happy with her performance.
 
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