I noticed in a previous post that someone was curious about the Mini's capabilities in the snow. Last November I bought a set of 4 plain-Jane steel wheels (16"), and mounted Bridgestone Blizzaks on them. While we got very little snow here in the Boston area this winter, i did get a chance to play a little bit.
HOLY CRAP!
I could almost believe this car could climb trees with these tires. The traction was amazing, and the ride improved a bajillion percent. The handling went down the toilet, but what the heck. Life's full of little trade-offs.

 

Yup...same observation here. Snowtires in the winter. However, it's April and time to change back to summer tires : )

 

Yup, my skinny Haak snows got me thru everything this winter had but I just swapped back to the Goodyear Eagle GSD3s and driving is incredibly FUN again!

Pete in Vermont

 

Agreed! The Blizzaks make the car so capable in the winter, I tell people that it's a tank--can go through anything.

But I really liked your analogy, that it can almost climb trees! I may have to steal that one from you!

 

It's not stealing if it's been given freely!