I am really looking at getting a Clubman, most likely an 09 because I am just saving up some money now. What I was wondering is how do they or any Mini handle in the snow. I live in Denver, and the past two winters we have had blizzards. Granted no car could get out, but what are the chances of suvivability when it comes to snow?

 

Welcome -here's an existing thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=snow. Found it using the "Search this Thread" option.

 

Ok, that helped with a few questions... Still, I have some questions. Should I stay with the same diameter rim as my three season set? If I change diameter to say, 15", will I need to have an alignment done? If I keep the same diameter tire, and consider the difference in treads, etc. would the same still apply? Outside of the obvious things like speedometer accuracy, and perhaps a little better low end response with smaller diameter, what is the difference to the car and the driving experience?

 

When properly switching between different sized wheels 15", 16" 17" etc., the outside diameter of the tire essentially stays the same. Therefore there is no difference in acceleration, top speed, speedometer readings, alignment, etc due to the different wheel sizes. You just bolt the different wheel/tire set on and all is perfect.

The driving experience will differ based on the tire tread. Winter tires are excellent on the snow/ice and bad on the pavement. Summer tires are excellent on the pavement and horrible on the snow/ice. All-season tires aren't very good at anything, but will get you around.

I've been driving my RWD 318 in Minnesota for the past four years with good winter tires. After a decent bit of experience with them now, I can say there's 100% no chance I'd ever use all-season tires in a Minnesota winter. FWD, RWD, AWD, I don't care. Every car should have dedicated winter tires, they are THAT good.

 

I also live in Denver (just moved here). I just went through my first winter in the MINI. I bought 15" snow tires on steel rims. The MINI was great in the snow!

 

MINIs are tanks in the snow if you have narrow snow tires! MINIs don't have a lot of weight to manage plus 60% of the weight is over the drive wheels. Of course, you also have to drive sensibly but in my experience the only impediment in snow has been the mere height of the accumulation; if the snow pack is higher than the front skirt, then driving becomes plowing!

 

My experience has been exactly like 'Beer's. I've got winter tires on my stock holies that I run from late Nov to early Apr. I spend a lot of time on winter roads (snow, ice, accumulating sleet, etc.) and have always felt like I was in full control--even when I see other vehicles spinning their wheels. Though, if there's a chance the accumulation on the road will be higher than 4" I'll wait a few hours for the plow to go through first.