I'm thinking about a mini. But I do lots of highway driving and am concerned about performance on ice and snow. Please share with me the bald-faced honest truth about how you like your car in these conditions?

 

Hiya! The type of tires you have make a big difference :smile: :smile:

Donna

 

Welcome, Bird! There are a couple of threads in the Wheel & Tyre forum that speak to winter tyre options; The capabilities of the car itself are phenominal and the front wheel drive helps alot in the winter ... substituting the right rubber will allow you to Motor with confidence! ... but even with the standard run-flats, the passes in the Cascade Mountains haven't been a problem yet ...

 

Hello,

I have a Cooper with 16" runflats, and I was really worried about it myself, but so far, the car has been great. I take it very easy in snowy conditions, and I havent had any problems. The cars stopping power is great! It feels like the MINI is digging claws into the snow when the ABS kicks in.. wacka wacka wacka.

I love this car! :smile:

 

>>I'm thinking about a mini. But I do lots of highway driving and am concerned about performance on ice and snow. Please share with me the bald-faced honest truth about how you like your car in these conditions?


We've had snow for a solid month here in Kentucky, and the Pup has done amazingly well in it. Granted, I have the 15" Contis on 7-hole alloyws, so their long-narrow contact patch works rather well in the snow.

As for the dynamics of the car--wonderful! It safely understeers in bad weather, and gives you plenty of warning before doing so. Plus, it does great parking-lot doughnuts w/the handbrake. :smile:

 

Worried about performance in the snow? For one, do NOT get high performance tires. Mine are useless in the slop. However, I'm getting a set of snow tires from my dealer tomorrow. After which (I hope) the MINI will run as well or better in the snow as anything shy of a hulking 4 x 4.

 

Well I don't have mine yet, but with DSC and anti lock brakes, and with appropriate after market snow tires I am sure it will do a very decent job. Lots of people on here have their MINIs in the frozen north. Remember the MINI is fairly low to the ground and I would think in deep unpacked snow it might not fare too well, but then neither would any other regular car. I don't plan on finding out, I ordered the 17" performance runflats and if it is snowy MINI will be in the garage.

jc

 

i'll tell you that the factory 16" runflats suck!
i had to drive in snow yesterday and was all over the place!!
time to replace the runflats!

 

I agree the RUN FLATS SUCK!!! I am getting Some Yokohamas in the Spring and will travel with a can of fix a flat if need be!!!

 

Driving in the snow is not an exact science ( I am a Syacuse snow belt native, so I am qualified !!!)....experience is the best teacher, as your driving skills hopefully improve, but even then, even snow tires can be an adventure, once ice mixes in !!!!! I have seen SUVs turned upside down with chains on, due to driver error !!!!!

My MINI Cooper with 16 runflats (and DSC - key point) climbed my snowy, asphalt, 45 degree inclined driveway recently which my BMW 5, Volvo S 80, Audi A6 could not do. X5 did fine also.............Porsche was all over the place, but brut strengthed it up............

Anti-lock brakes also work pretty well........just keep the foot down hard !!!!!!!

 

Wow. Thanks for all the response. What about the highway? Is it pretty noisey? Do you feel like you're in something solid?

 

One word for the highway ----- "AWESOME"

 

Yeah, the ride on the highway is great! Definetly SOLID! The noise level isn't that bad either.

 

check tire rack they had a great deal a few months ago. My snow' got here in 2 day's

 

I agree highway is AWESOME!! I have 16" runflats w/ DSC. I think it's great in the snow. We have had snow and ice alot this year and I haven't had any problems at all. I can't even imagine with regular tires!!

 

Highway/Interstate.... No problem. I drive 2 to 3 times a week on I-80/90 from South Bend, IN to Chicago (about 2 hours @75mph). I have found My MINI MCS to be very stable and reasonably quiet. The ride over the bridges can get choppy with 17" runflats but most of the toll road is smooth. I am amazed how the wind and truck pressure waves have little effect on the MINI. I can say it is the most stable car or truck I have ever had in regards to crosswinds at speed. It is great for zipping in for lane changes. Quote from Mod Squad days... SOLID. :smile:

 

17" runflats ALL-SEASON. Not bad in snow. Fantastic in rain - super grip!

 

Thanks for your response. Really appreciate the enthusiasm.

 

The suspension is very tight and can bump you around on a bumpy freeway. This is especially true with the Sports Suspension Plus. Not a bad thing, IMO, but it is a matter of taste. I dig the bumpy ride, cause it means (to me) a tight suspension with very little body roll. To some others, it's an gastro-intestinal mixer.

It's a real driver's car, and if you like going around curves quickly, you'll like it.

 

The Cooper is rock solid and a pleasure on the Interstates here in New England. It's no better or worse than other small front-drivers in the snow, echoing the other posters that it's all in the tires and in your driving caution.
Snowy roads are an occasional thing and you'll love the handling the rest of the time.

 

I have a MC with the 15in all weather, and DSC, and I have had no problem in ice and snow on highways or 2ndary roads (well of course ice is ice with any tire, but if there is a little snow or asphalt to grip, the DSC and ABS do an excellent job). MINI wouldn't be my choice in an area with large quanities of snow-- over 6-8 inches of unplowed at a time-- I think I could get stuck because of light weight and low clearance...

 

had to drive from fl to ga to activate my cell phone (don't ask) and i got 36 mpg (according to the on board computer) on i-75 doing 70 mph all the way up.

on the way back i found a straightaway and took it up to 110. smooth as butter although a little noisy going that fast in 5th gear.

 

>>Wow. Thanks for all the response. What about the highway? Is it pretty noisey? Do you feel like you're in something solid?
Mini in TN snow has been excellent!

Mini on TN highways....You have to drive it to believe it. You need to RUN, not walk to your dealer and plop down a down payment before someone beats you to it. You will NEVER regret getting this car.

Jim