I live in Central Vermont and don't feel like holding-on to my Subaru AWD as a "winter car"...

How do you think the MINI will drive in the snow???

...or should I hold on to my Subaru and drive the MINI only on snowless roads???

Any comments?

Thanks,

John in Montpelier, VT

p.s. I saw my SECOND mini around town, a Black one w/Black & White chequered top -- sweet!

 

The MINI has a list of features that should help it in the snow. Esp. the DSC. That and the fact that it's FWD.
Don't get me wrong.... the Scoob is the best bet in snowy weather, but FWD cars are generally very good too. RWD is the worst of the three in hazardous conditions.

If you decide to give up the subby for the MINI, I would def. recomend getting the DSC. You can always turn it off when you don't need it.
SW

 

hi!
i recommend you to check on a winter wheels for your mini. i live in germany and last december we had a terrible snow and the mini got stop. not a very nice experience on a christmas eve!
nevertheless the mini cooper is the best car in the world.!

 

I lived in Colorado for a little while and drivin through the snow in my MINI wuz not exactly fun. It does not like the snow very much, but i had the ASC and Performance runflats so with the dsc and different tires, it may do better.

 

I've only had my MINI in the snow thus far. Its fantastic so far.

Like the others have said, you will need a good set of snows for certain. Mine came with the summer "performance" tires and I had a slow go home that night with it for certain.

I put Nokians on and they are simply incredible in the snow, and a whole lot more fun than most cars

 

This is my third winter with my MCS. I have snow tires all around and only traction control (switched off most of the time). It has always been solid and predictable. I travelled back from St Catharines (near Niagra Falls) to Ottawa, Canada in a blizzard (8 hour drive). Bottom of the car dragging the whole way and a Camry spun off the road in front of me. I never wished to be in a different vehicle. I have had to street park in Montreal with piles of snow. Always came through.
I feel the MINI has good weight and driver feedback which make it a gas in the snow. Cheers, Simon

PS Great parking lot photo Dog Man.

 

Ahh yes, the recurrent MINI's in the snow question...

A quick search here on NAM using the keywords MINI snow yielded this....

Driving in Snow 101 Newton's First Law of Motion
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

Curious about how well the defroster works. Just ask How's The Defroster
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

How about Zenons in the snow? Xenons, Fogs & Snow..
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

What about Snow Driving?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

Is the MINI made for Snow?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

Winter Driving?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

How's the MINI in the Winter?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

How's the MINI in the snow?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

Recommendations on Snow Tires for the MINI?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

What about MINIs in the snow and mountains?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

Snow?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

Somebody's MCS is horrible in the snow
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

MINI and cold don't mix?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

Would you like some Words about dealing with snow?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=MINI+snow

I choose to stop there, but there's at least 40 more posts on this very same topic.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take advantage of this site's search feature!!!!!!

 

I live in the Sierra and we get up to 3 feet in a storm. We also have a subaru and a Explorer. I drive the Subaru during the winter. I have a saying God made Subaru's for snow and Mini's for summar fun. I don't want to ruin my Mini S by driving it in heavy snow. If I were you I would keep the Subaru and save the Mini for fun. I also don't understand how the front air dam can clear more than about 6 inches of snow without the car becoming a snow plow.:smile: :smile:

 

Well it does become a bit of a plow,but it does move along smartly

 

i second the previous post