I know lots of drivers choose not to drive their MINI's in the winter...but being my first MINI (06JCW) I have to say that it is a WONDERFUL winter driver! (check out the mini.ca website for kicks on why it's such a great winter driver )

Changed to 16" wheels and dedicated winter tires instead of the 18" JCW's and it chews up the snow like it's nothing!

LOVE LOVE LOVE the LSD, EBD, traction control...although I do hate how it kills the power from the get-go.

Nothing better then blazing through the snow and around turns at high speeds and watching the big SUV's slide around and oversteer! MMMMMMmmmmmMINI!!! (feeling very in love with MINI today! )

Has anyone tried ice racing in their MINI?

 

I can't wait to roost with mine too in the snow! I just received my VIN number this past weekend and all looks good to go - LSD is on the list - hopefully I'll see it around the end of March or April.

Us northern folk are just twisted when it comes to snow, driving in the white stuff is like painting on canvas. Ice racing, we've got lot's of that up here when it gets cold enough. Weird winter so far and has been very warm. Glad you like it in the snow. I've got an Audi S6 to play with until my new Cooper S arrives.

 

my mini stuck in the snow today.... spent an hour to get it out..
but that's becoz the snow is really thick and i didn't realize it. i hope my car isn't damage

 

JCWGurl,

Glad to hear you're having fun in the snow. I have been driving my mcs all winter and loving it. Only had to leave it home one day when we had 18". Didn't want a mini snow plow.

 

I have driven many cars in the snow and have to say that the MINI is one of the best that I have driven. It really does handle quite well in the snow.

 

The MINI is great in the snow until you have more than 6" at a time and then it is a MINI snow blow. Lucky this doesn't happen to often and when it does the roads are cleared quickly. The only problem is when the plow goes by and leaves a pile of snow at the bottom of the driveway. My old SUV could always go straight through this pile.

 

I used to live in Tahoe at 7820' elev. The first year I was there in '92 we had 24' feet of snow up at the top of Andria Way on top of Kingsbury grade. Then, we moved down to lake level - out past Sawmill Pond, this was waay more manageable.

In Vermont, we don't nearly get the amount of snow as Tahoe, but does it get cold out here and the snow just lasts forever it seems on the roads. Makes for a ton more fun when driving. The experience is awesome as opposed to the day after a storm in Tahoe when the sun bakes the roads and goes down to pavement real soon.

From everything you guys and gals say, the MCS is all good in the snow and I'll be looking forward to actually driving mine. I can't believe I'm so obsessed about a car I don't even have yet... crazy.

Here is your snow plow!

 

I've only gotten stuck once, and that was in my own driveway

 

What brand and sized tire are you using with those "16's? Also looking for a "16 that will clear JCW brakes but narrower for the snow.... those wheels are a kind of wide for a snow tire at "7.5, no?

 

I've had a lot of fun in the snow this year... it snowed the day after I took delivery and I went right out in it anyway! what a blast! it just goes right through and when it does slip, you know it beforehand and it's completely predictable! and that's on the 'all seasons' that came with it. This summer I'm getting summer wheels so that will give me a chance to mount some nokians on the x-lites. that should make for a fun winter next year!

 

PM sent They are 205 50 16 I think and the Kosei K1's (there's a pic in my gallery)

 

hey, newbie here, just wanted to say that mini.ca has a great winter domination theme

 

Thompson,

Love the pic!

It has been a much lighter winter than '92 around here this year. Great time to buy the MINI. I'll take a hot lap down the grade to Gardnerville and back in your honor next chance I get.

Oh yea, there is something to be said for having the sun de-ice your driveway, more time for skiing

TT

 

I sort of had a chance to try my MINI recently. We got over an inch of snow (that's alot for us this year), and I was impressed. But I live on a ridge, and I tried a start on the steepest part, and no go. I don't like the throttle cutting out... but flip the DSC off.

 

Kewl, thanks for thinking of me and the great twistys you've got out there! Grrrrrr.... yaaa sunny shadow skiing is fun, not nearly the same out here, no steep and deep.