I was wondering if some of you could share some experiences and "abilities" of the mini on snow and ice. I live in North Dakota and theres quite a bit of snow here in the winter.

Thanks

 

Fabulous. I live in Michigan and have been driving a Cooper for the past two winters... one without snow tires, and one with. Without snow tires the car is good, with snow tires, its amazing.

 

That's what I like to hear! It was really my only doubt about getting a mini. After having a mustang and now the saleen focus, I've had to drive a beater, and I mean BEATER jeep in the winter and there's just no way I'm gonna do that again. I need to find a good car to drive year-round.

 

Prior to the MINI I drove a Bravada w. SmartTrack (fancy 4wd name ).. I had the luxury of never having to worry about snow. Even after that, I'm totally confident taking the MINI out in the snow. The only reason I got snow tires was because my parking lot was unplowed, so I literally had to plow the little guy through inches of snow a few times. It was impressive.

 

Great.Will post more later,gotta go now:smile:

 

I had the same question as I live in northern Vermont next to a ski resort. But after watching two local Minis all winter they seemed to handle snow better than most front wheel drive cars. Both wore Nokian snow tires, considered essential around here. Anyway, after seeing how well they handled I placed my order last week.

 

i ran this past winter with the stock all-season runflats and the h-sport lowering springs. there were some iffy times, i got stuck twice, both times i hit an ice patch and slid into a snow bank, but i never got stuck just driving thru deep snow. i'm sure with snow tires you'd be just fine in the winter tho

 

I was concerned about snow also...so I ordered my MC with the 15' wheels which has the thinner tires.....thinner tires are better in the snow as they can squeeze down through the snow to get to pavement.....here in Mass, we had a hard winter with lots of snow (yea!!!).....a year ago winter w/o snow tires it was very good in the snow...this past season with snow tires it was great!

 

two winters: first with dunlop s5000 all season run flats, just OK , second with goodrich traction t/a all season non run flats--AWESOME! ( both 16") . Just remember to turn off the DSC if you get stuck, and remember to turn it back on when you get unstuck! Hope that helps. Jock

 

Ran the stock 16" runflats all this winter and the only place I got stuck was my own driveway

 

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Many more where that came from...

 

Nokian HAKKAPELIITTA RSi on all 4 corners and I didn't miss the quattro in my S4. The only problem is the low clearance.

 

Replaced the 325iX with the MINI. Pirelli Winter Carving on 15" steels and it didn't miss a beat. I have a driveway that has given SUV's trouble in the winter, and the MINI climbed it like a pro

 

I ran the first winter on the 16" Dunlop A/S RFs and did not have any problems. This year, I replaced them after 30K with Hankook Ice Bears. The last last snowfall we had was 8" and I had no problems. As a matter of fact, it was fun terrorizing the SUVs as I zipped past them in the hammer lane. Definitely go with a dedicated winter tire though.

Geo.

 

North Dakota, the snow doesn't melt... it just wears out.

I spent 3 years up your way and it was a new experience. The way our Michigan TV anchors get all excited about low wind chills, and all, they would announce the end of the world if they had to report the winter weather in ND. I still have my Eddie Bauer Polar Parka that I have to leave unzipped in front if it's over 20 degrees F... not to mention goose down pants and Mukluks (sp?)

Most of the time it seemed that the roads were pretty clear in ND, except in town and when there was a house next to the open road... creating a house sized drift across the road. Ahhh yes, memories. I lived up in Langdon at the time, whereabouts do you call home?

I'd give a report on MINI's in the snow but it'll have to wait a year as mine is on order and soon to arrive. I just had to reply and say... HI!... and thank your state for putting Michigan weather in it's place!!

 

NE Ohio - great lakes snow belt area. I didn't change out my tires to snow tires, but I did have the DSC. The DSC would light up, and I could pull right into gear and pull myself out of wherever I was. I did get stuck once. But a good push out and I was home free.

That being said, it did cycles around my Honda Civic did. I was so very impressed with the MINI in the snow.

 

15" steel wheels and Dunlop Graspic DS2 winter tires made this car the most legal fun you can have on four wheels in the snow. My old Jetta the year before was downright scary, this was a dream to drive in the snow. Not once did I feel unsafe or out of control.

Also in NE ohio (waves to Wannamini_)! And Cleveland had the snowiest winter ever here.

 

Hi Cgrant. Greetings from a fellow NoDak.

I got my MINI in Dec during an Ice Storm in Minneapolis. The MINI handled beautifully on the ice. Even with runflats which I opted for. I credit the DSC for this in case you're considering this as an option. However:

Downside: The MINI has pretty low clearance so I plowed snow quite a bit this winter (street snow from heavy snowfalls or threads left behind by plows). This was a worry for me but I'm happy to report I never had icing problems or had my engine get wet..so it handled it well.

Also, the DSC became a problem until I learned to turn it off after heavy snows; The DSC would kick in when I plowed snow and cut power to my wheels sometimes stopping me and even getting me stuck. After I learned to turn off the DSC after heavy snows, this problem disappeared and the MINI acted like any other good front wheel drive.

UP UP Side: the MINI started every time; even during the coldest snaps..granted my MINI (like yours) is new..but that was a huge bonus considering it doesn't come with a block heater...(although I believe I saw Lot post about getting a block heater in Winnipeg; you should post him if you're interested..I know I'm going to look into it...any self respecting NoDak or Canadian should have a cord coming out of his grill )

Anyway, there's some hopefully useful winter info for you from a fellow NoDak.

PS opt for the cold wx pkg if you can afford it....it's well worth it

 

Before I moved to AZ I lived in NJ for all our fun winters including this past one. I never had a problem. Let me tell you KITT had no problems just going through mounds of snow. They only thing to watch out for is... I have very open rims and snow would get inside and stuck in the brakes and make the car shake and stuff.

Liz

 

Thanks all

Maybe I need to learn some new "searching" skills. Before I made this thread I searched for "snow" and "mini in snow" and found a ton of threads about age of people who drive mini's

 

A group of 12 MINIs ran 2400 miles+ in a long weekend last February through Northern Quebec.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/...r_bust_wrap-up
Ran the whole way on a set of Nokian Hakkapelita snow tires. Wen encountered temperatures to -30F, fresh snow, packed powder, ice, and ever other winter road condition you can think of. WE had no problems...

 

Ok MINIs in snow.First get snow tires,I ran the first winter on the Conti all seasons,was Good,but not great.This winter I got Perelli snow controls,on steel wheels,and it was GREAT.I'm sure any good quality snow tire would be a good choice.
The MINI handles very well on snow packed and icy roads,I don't slow down that much on the highway off ramps in the winter,the car feels like it is still on rails.
Deep snow is another issue.Turn off the DSC or ASC,you may need to spin the tires to get down to something that will grip,plus because the car is so low,you will become a plow,and the sensors will see this when the wheels spin a bit,cut power or apply brakes and you will bog down.You probably will not be going fast in these conditions,so you should not need the systems turned on,but once you get going again,turn the system back on.I have hit drifts in the dark,and the traction control kicks in and helps.
I got stuck once,first winter with the all seasons,I was in a parking lot,no one around to help push,so I did what I used to do in my classic.Rev the engine,in either 1first or reverse,depending on which way is best to go,drop the clutch,get the wheels spinning,get out and push at the drivers door
The snow does fly up over the bonnet in deep snow,so I turn on my wipers when this is happening,as the snow hits a warm windshield and turns to water,and you may find it is like driving in a white out,so keep the wipers on.
There is a block heater avalible up here in Canada now,it heats the coolant,not an oil pan heater,the synthtic oil is not the problem,but all the seals and oil breathers can be.They freeze,I had to get a new tranny because the axle seal cracked.Now I'm talking cold,-45F,and one time the oil breathers frooze,and as a release the dip stick blew,spewed oil all over,and I was down over 1/2 a quart before I realized it happened.
I got the block heater mid way through this winter,the car starts better,though starting,even at close to -50F was not an issue,but the temp gauge is an 1/8 of the way to normal op temp at start up,and warmish air is blowing right away.
Because this block heater warms the coolant,the whole engine is warm,as the water flows by convection through the whole system.Snow melts off my bonnet when it is on
I also have a BMW smart trickle charger zip straped under the bonnet,and use it when really cold,keeps the battery topped up and warm.
Did none of this the first winter,and it was as cold as this past winter,But the car likes it,and I feel better.

Some winter pics.Now lets get on with summer


Sorry forgot,here is the block heater part number.Made in Canada,we know block heaters.#12-81-0-306-612

 

Here in the Toronto area the MINI is great with snow tires and up to about 6" of snow fall. After 6" the MINI is a snow plow and it is tough going. Also someone from Chicago recommended that in heavy snow shift immediately out of 1st, floor it and let the DSC do the job for you.

 

I don't have DCS,got ASC+T,and in deep snow I find I know how to get through it better then the computer and wheel spin sensors,but out of the deep stuff and on snow pack or ice,its on

 

Great info on block heater Lot..thanks.

Also aftermarket dipstick oil heaters avail. Not nearly as effective as a good oil pan heater but in combo with water heater should add enough insurance to hopefully avoid major engine freezing problems.

ps...Lot, you're right...summer is almost here. Time to reeaaaallllly MOTOR!