Hi All

I am considering the purchase of a new mini from a dealer here in CT, but never having had one before have a couple questions. Your advise will help me:

How are coopers in the snow and ice?

Do I need winter tires as opposed to all weather tires?

Does the cars small size make it hard for other drivers to see?

Is the lowness to the ground a problem when carrying a full hatch or when the snow is high?

Has anyone hurt their back when lifting heavy things in and out of the hatch?

Any other advice from experienced Mini drivers will help. THANK YOU!

SandraDee

 

Hi SandraDee,

I wish I could help you with answers, though by this time next year, with a Minnesota winter ahead, I should pretty well know myself....!

Welcome to the forum, and I'll be waiting for those experienced answers too!

Sir M.

 

No problem here in Calgary, Alberta (north of Montana). I was only on all season tires last year as well, never got stuck even once. Will get winter tires this year however, since my no season tires are worn down to like 1/3 now.

It would be better, if you have a brand new fresh set of all season, you can probably get by if snow doesn't get deeper than about 5-6 inches. Of course snow tires are always better.

Not really, the MINI is just as high as a normal car, plus if you get one of the brighter colors it is probably easier to see. I don't think visibility from other people is really a problem.

Only if the snow is over 7 inches deep or so, then the car will start to plow on the snow. Doesn't happen very often, and when there's that much snow on the road most people aren't going any where anyway.

The hatch isn't that high for me, and I'm a shorty (5'7")

Try the search function on the forum, for example, type in "snow driving" and you'll find tons of thread on this topic

 

I drove my MINI all last winter with Blizzak snows and never got stuck. There was one storm I didn't make it out in, but during that snow no one made it out!

 

Others have answered most of the other questions. but I'll answer about the full hatch. I carry three (yes 3!) St. Bernards in the back of my MINI. Total weight about 400 pounds and the MINI does not look like it is dragging on the ground.

 

Yucca Patrol,
How can you tell us that without posting pics! That's got to be something to see!

(Love to see them MINIs with doggies. Especially convertibles. My doggie rode with me this morning, top-down. She was happy. )

 

Sandadee: No problems in NE PA running all-seasons and traction control (I'm from CT, and find the winters to be pretty similar in terms of snowfall). I'm going for snows this year for a little extra traction, but found that the MINI handles very well in bad weather. I have a Cooper, but have heard the limited slip on the S really helps in snow, too.

Since you are new to NAM and the MINI cult, be sure to check out the "Is waving dead" thread on this forum so you know what to expect once you buy your cooper.

 

as far as winter goes ...

car is front wheel drive. just thow snow tires on and you will have no problems.

MiniBull

 

Hey Sir Mini, I am just North of you in Manitoba. This will be my first Mini Winter as well. I have the MCS with the 17'' performance run flats, have not decided which winter tires to switch too. You decided?