Living in Colorado I knew I would have to eventually drive this tiny car in a snow storm. I didn't give it a lot of thought when I bought her in July. I didn't care that the Mini may not be a practical car for Colorado, I was going to drive a Mini no matter what. I woke up this morning to a big snow storm and all I could think was " I was crazy to get this car, what was I thinking? Mini owners in Colorado have to have a second car for the snow...something sensible." We had a lot of snow and it was wet and heavy. I was so nervous and rigid during my commute....I just knew any minute I would slide. It never happened. The Mini was great in the snow!! I think I was only nervous because of the size and weight of the car. I was impressed today and don't feel the need to run out and buy a truck for the snow!
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Nice to hear that your Snow Motoring went well. I've been curious about that time of year too. Runflats or non ?, I understand you can get a bit better grip in the snow with non-runflats.

CCY

 

Living there, I would assume you have snow tires. If not and you liked how your MINI handled, you will LOVE how it handles with dedicated snows.

 

If your streets don't get plowed right away or snow is left on the streets, I would probably get snow tires if I were you. I had a friend in the MCC with me during a snow storm last year and she was really impressed with how well the MINI handled the snow. Just like you, no sliding or slipping. She attributed that to my driving, I said it was the MINI

Enjoy the snow... try a good e-brake spin!!!

 

Yeah, it's the only time I get to pretend I'm in "The Italian Job"!

 

mini2Di4,

We want details. What tires are you using? Do you have stock runflats?

(Need to know, as I am anticipating my first snow with the MINI and my husband doesn't believe in snow tires.)

 

Oh boy - it's time for the seasonal "snow tires vs. all-seasons" questions!

Copied the below from another thread, also PLEASE go to www.tirerack.com and read their snow tire tests vs. all-seasons. Yes, they do sell snow tires, but they do not fudge their tests. Dedicated car snow tires will outperform ANY all-season, even new ones, in snow.

... and it's fun to drive small, light, front drive cars where SUVs can't go. Only snow depth or uphills will stop you. You have just as many wheels with brakes and steering as any 4wd vehicle.

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1) Snow tires are TONS better than even the best new all-seasons in snow. Get some winter tires (a package for minis is under $600 at Tirerack.com, also located in South Bend, or check the tires classifieds I've seen several GOOD sets come up there). Seriously - there's NO better investment you can make in winter. Yes, they ARE that good.

Compare the cost of snow tires to the cost of your insurance deductible and the hassle of towing, repairing, etc. Ask some members who run snows about their experiences. Ask ME - I got to pass a Range Rover once while he spun his tires (he had bald all-seasons), climbed a hill my neighbor's blazer couldn't touch (he had new all seasons - and bought snow tires after!), and phoned the tow truck for a Hummer H2 (new car, but poorly driven on stock tires).

2) Drive like there's a raw egg between you and EVERY conrol in the car. Think "gen-tle". Leave lots of space. Don't slip the clutch too much though, just enough for a gentle start. Often you will want to ease off the clutch and barely (if at all) on the gas - you want to maintain that slim amount of traction you have.

2) a) Momentum: Not that you HAVE hills in your part of the world, but momentum can be your friend. Use it wisely. Don't stop on uphills if you can avoid it! Conserve momentum. Reasonably.
2) b) Stop signs and intersections: Before the salt trucks get out, these get ICY - quickly. Be aware.

3) Use the HIGHEST gear you can for the conditions. Don't "lug" the engine, but you don't want torque breaking your traction. Upshift (to a higher numbered gear) far sooner than you ordinarily would. Lower gears give more torque, which is great for acceleration on dry pavement but can spin the tires uselessly on low-traction surfaces. Once you get better with the snow you can experiment.

4) Clutch in or neutral while braking, almost always. Don't downshift no matter HOW much it makes you sound like Colin McRae (rally driver). Being in N or clutch-in doesn't let the engine interfere with front/rear brake bias. Dwnshifting in a FWD car on slippery surfaces can cause the front tires to skid, reducing steering capability.

5) As soon as snow falls, drive carefully to a deserted parking lot with no light poles or potholes (DO scout it out beforehand). Drive the car, really DRIVE it, to see what it'll do and how it feels. Hit the brakes HARD to see how the ABS feels, then hit the brakes gently and see if you can tell when one, two, or more tires are starting to "lock" (brake pulsations). Leave lots of space. Be aware that police sometimes don't appreciate this activity, so be circumspect in your pursuits.

6) With snows on, try not to laugh too hard at the SUVs on bald all-seasons thinking they can go anywhere. You have as many tires with brakes and steering as they do. 4WD just allows a car to get moving in conditions where (arguably) one shouldn't be driving. All wheel drive (4WD, AWD, whatever) doesn't help stop or turn, and the additional weight usually hurts stopping and turning.

7) When it's cold, the rubber in your tires gets harder. Even on dry pavement, you'll have reduced traction. Your car will also make more noises since everything's stiff. Go easy, at least until things are warmed up. Snow tires have softer rubber to help deal with this - so if you leave them on when its NOT cold, they'll wear faster.

8) Keep an emergency kit in your car. Sleeping bag or blanket, jacket, gloves, a little non-perishable food, and a small bottle or two of water, maybe a small folding shovel. I've known people in New JERSEY (fer cryin out loud! Fuhgeddaboudit!) who've been trapped by snow/ice storms overnight in their cars. Without the above, and without Harmon Kardon sound.

I think that's about it...

Good luck!

 

I went the first winter with the all seasons, they were ok. Then I got snow tires the second winter and they were GREAT

Besides e-brake turns, try this in a parking lot full of snow. In reverse, get the car just rolling, then hit the gas hard as you crank the wheel hard, the car will turn on a dime. Just make sure nothing is around you, great way to get 180 degrees in a hurry

Mark

 

Forgot one thing: Use the same care in selecting snows as selecting all-seasons. Some are optimized for ice, others for more speed, still others for deeper snow. I'm a fan of the snows that are more performance optimized, trading off some deep snow traction for better rain/ice capability. Tires I like for the Midwest include Semperit Sport Grip (fantastic tire), Hankook Icebear ($580 for 4 with 15" alloys from Discount Tire Direct website, including shipping - just bolt on and go), and love the Michelin entries (I've had the X-ice and its predecessor, as well as driven the Michelin Pilot winter tire).

Not a huge fan of Blizzaks, they tend to be squirmy but the newer generation may be OK.

Generally, if it's "studdable" you may not want it - that's kind of old school and can be noisy. It will still be better in snow than all-seasons. It trades off too much, though, in wet performance, dry performance, and noise. I had Wintermasters and they were OK, a little squirmy in the dry and wet, though, and noisy.

Some random prices:

www.discounttiredirect.com (prices "shipped")
15" $580 Hankook Icebear with alloy wheels ($736 for 16")
15" $652 Michelin X-Ice with alloy wheels ($836 for 16")

www.TireRack.com (prices do NOT include shipping):
15" $488 Steel wheels with Blizzak Revo and wheelcovers
16" $712 Nice alloys with Continental ContiWinterContacts

Of course, prices are as of this morning, and prices and availability will vary... there are also wheels and tires available in the NAM classifieds...

Some research to brighten your dreary Snow day....

 

"6) With snows on, try not to laugh too hard at the SUVs on bald all-seasons thinking they can go anywhere."

This reminded me of an evening last winter. As a major snowstorm was tapering down, I had to leave the house. Admittedly the Bumblebee couldn't get out of the driveway (12" to 24" snow) without a bit of shovelling. But I just scraped it down to about 6" and took off. The street was unplowed but a few vehicles had driven on it, so it wasn't too bad. I backed out of the driveway, stopped, and drove away, while the guy across the street with his 4WD pickup was sitting there spinning all 4 wheels.

 

You didn't give a jaunty wave and ask if he needed a ride?

 

The snow capabilities of SUVs are completely overblown. This will be my first winter with my Mini, but for years I've been driving a '94 Mercedes wagon (rear wheel drive, remember) equipped in winter with four winter tires (car also has traction control). Last winter - and this is no exaggeration -- on an uphill section of my commute I easily drove around two SUVs that were struggling, tires spinning, to get up the hill. I'd leave my front-drive company car with all-seasons in the driveway on snowy days and take the winter-tire-equpped rear-drive car. I just wish more people understood how effective winter tires are.

P.S. -- I've got four mounted winter tires all ready to go for my new MCS.

 

That's good news, Mini2di4! We don't get much snow here in Oklahoma, (maybe one or two storms a year) so I've been debating about buying snow tires for mine. This will be my first winter with a MINI too.....I'm extremely paranoid about driving in the snow/ice.

 

I'm going to brave the first winter with my Mini in all seasons, I have the 17 rims so winters are a little expensive right now, but I will difinitely get them for next year. Last year I had a 1993 BMW 325is with bald all seasons on and I was fine. But I love the winter tires they make a huge difference.

 

I have all season run-flats and live in the snow belt in NE Ohio. And the car goes GREAT!!! So much better than my Honda Civic did.

I guess it helps when at one point in your life you lived in snowy mountains and drove a Z28 Camaro. You really HAVE to learn how to drive in the snow! haha

 

You don't need to get 17" snows. Get 4 cheap 15" steel or alloy wheels with snows.

 

Having a good sense of balance only means a player won't fall as much when they play soccer in dress shoes. They still can't cut and run as well as most less-skilled players in cleats.

Likewise, knowing how to drive in snow (a great and much admired skill, to be sure!) only increases the advantage given by dedicated winter tires.

AND... not to make the "blanket recommendation"... if you only see 1-2 snows per year and can moderate your travel during those times, all-season tires will certainly get you through! Just don't get with those folks in the Obsessive-Compulsive thread, who would have you changing into snows before driving, then changing back and detailing your entire car when you return, using only the finest quality distilled water, name-brand $50/wash car cleaner, and pure Carnauba wax.

(actually, their cars wouldn't see snow...)

 

don't quote me, but given the choice, go for the 15 inch wheels and the skinniest snow tire you can...the skinniner the snow tire the better the traction as the tire squishes its way down to the pavement (so I've been told)...I have the 175/65 15" Pirelli Snow C ontols from Tire rack...real good in the snowup here in central Mass

 

I don't have runflats or snow tires, just regular all season. I've lived in Colorado for 15 years and never bought snow tires for any car. I've wished I had them for mountain driving. I've been in some tricky driving situations during big storms in the mountains and I always made it ok but it's been stressful (pre-Mini days). You don't need snow tires in Denver (they clear the streets quickly) but I am thinking of buying my first set because I want to take the Mini to the mountains sking.

 

So walking in on Charlize in her skivvies is out of the question???

 

maybe that was what I was thinking of when I pulled that e-brake

 

I learned how to drive in the snow on unplowed roads in the dark (had to commute to school 20+ miles when I was 16 before the plows were out), and I also did that education in FWD car with 12" bald all seasons Made communting into effectively drifting, you learn balance and car control real quick. Since then if I have any tread whatsoever tread I consider myself to be miles ahead of the ball game. I agree with the majority of Dixions advice and hat to which I disagree with I won't post. Simply be smooth, only drive if you have to and PLEASE pay extra attention to whats going on around you and don't tailgate!! I love skiing so snow driving is second nature.

 

Same thing here, and she west amazing, I love her.

 

Snow gives you an excuse to change out the stock runflats for Blizzaks (LM) and then order new wheels and tires in late winter!

 

Well the reason that I would want to get 17" Snows is because I am getting 17" Aftermarket Rims and using my white Mini rims for the snow. So I'll have to get snow tires for those rims later on.