So it would appear the S is the worst vehicle in snow ever. I got stuck today quite a few times (granted the conditions would have done this to any vehicle but I was starting in third and spinning everywhere. I know how to drive in snow and it was doing nothing. After having 4 people push I got it into a spot at the local Dunkin' Donuts, where it will probably stay at least until tomorrow. All of you guys out there who get snowstorms, keep the MINI inside or at least in the driveway. I'll be buying an ATV for the remainer of the winter I think.

 

We got a foot and a half last week, and Clara was fab in the snow!

 

What tires do you have? I've heard 100% in the opposite direction. Not that I know from experience with it myself, I'm just repeating what I've heard.

 

Did you try it with and without the electronic systems turned on?

What tires are you using?

I wonder if some of your mods have affected its driveability in snow?

 

Been through multiple blizzards and such ranging from 18"-25" so far and not a problem with the S. It's been fantastic, actually. Sometimes better than the idiots in the SUVs who can't keep a straight line.

 

I agree that tires make all the difference. I just have all-seasons and they are MUCH better in the snow than my summer run-flats were.

 

All-seasons here, too.

 

Can't imagine why you had so much trouble today, but I wasn't there to see what sort of snow/road conditions you had. Did you have snow tires? DSC off? Better luck next time.

 

Boston currently is having a snow storm right now. I can tell you with snow tires, trucks are more afraid to drive in the snow then I am!

The MINI is a front wheel drive car which is quite adequate for snow driving.

 

Wow there buddy; talking about jumping to conclusions. It's all about the tires as others have mentioned. The MINI is GREAT in the snow with the right tires. Many people who opt for the Sports package don't realize that the performance runflats are pretty poor in the snow; they're not designed for it. People assume they're standard all-seasons and they're just not. With my snow tires, last winter I stopped at a red light and was nearly rear-ended by a Suburban who couldn't stop and went sideways. TIRES make the difference. I've never gotten stuck even in deep 12"+ snow with my MCS with snow tires although with my summer tires I can't get started in a flat parking lot with a dusting. TIRES make the difference. Your dealership should have told you this, especially if you ordered your car from the factory.

 

your nuts, i live in central new york and my mini is better than my dodge durango (except for clearance)

try getting snow tires

 

Lots of snow in South East England the last few days - finally decided to venture out yesterday, on summer performance runflats.. DSC off, DTC on - was very surprised how well the JCW got through it, didn't need a push from anyone. Followed a V8 Vantage that had to be pushed out by 5 people lol.. My sisters Cooper D also managed it very well, better than her husbands 1 series which he had to abandon.

Cooper D:



JCW:

 

I see "new yorkers" trying to drive in the snow up here in vermont all the time...trust me it aint the mini that is the problem here

I am very impressed by how stable the mini feels driving thru snow.

 

Where in VT are you? Man, do I wish we got all the snow here!!! In VT for vaca visiting my family. Skiing has been great, but sledding, not so much. My MINI is great with the 15" with all seasons, and can't get out of the driveway with the 16" and summer tires.

 

Driving a Mini in snow is FUN(with the right tires)!

 

+ 1. its all about the tires!!

 

i'm in southern vermont and work at Okemo...where are you skiing? So far no real snow has touched us from this storm, bu they are making round the clock and my daughter snowboarded there Friday and despite the cold she said the conditions were excellent.

 

As a newbie, my biggest concern in buying a mini was handling in snow, as I live up a long hill in northern NH. Have driven Saabs and Jeeps for years. So far, I'm very pleased with how my 09 MCS does in the snow. Have to be careful not to give it too much power when getting started, which the rest of the year is so much fun! Tires are key. I asked a lot of people and finally put Blizzaks on and they seem good. If you are having major problems with good tires, there's probably another factor at work. One thing I've noticed is that you have to be very diligent about removing accumulated snow from the wheel well since there isn't a lot of clearance.

 

I have had a mini for 3 years now (07 and 09 MCS) and with snow tires this car is amazing. With all-seasons it was ok, but once i put on the snows it is unstoppable (well it is stoppable which is the point).

Been driving to Mount Snow (souther VT) several times w/o issues.

 

+2. Proper tires FTW.

 

We had about 6 or 7 inches here in WV yesterday, and I was worried about how the MINI would do myself, this being the first snow since I bought her. Surprisingly, the car works quite well, even with the stock Conti allseasons.



I even managed to crawl up my parents' gravel driveway after the power went out at my place and I was forced to retreat to somewhere with heat. I did burn a couple hundred miles off the front tires doing it though



I was plowing snow off the road with my front bumper the whole way, haha. The MINI isn't a bad snowplow, really.. I'm sure actual winter tires would help quite a bit, but it's fine as it is as long as you're not going uphill in a mix of fresh powder and packed down snow/ice like I was!

 

It's not just an issue of snow, cold is also a factor. Modern snow tires are designed for colder temps. They afford more traction even on dry roads in cold temps.

When driving in deep snow/icy conditions, it is best to pretend there is an egg between your foot and the go pedal, with the intention of not breaking the egg. Being heavy on the pedal will generally result in you going nowhere fast.

If your not used to driving a MINI in snow, find yourself an empty parking lot, and practice launching, braking, and controlling the car while turning. Quick, sudden steering action usually does not work out well. Smooth deliberate action does. Another hint, if things do go squirmy on you, look where you want to go, not at the ditch/tree/light standard your heading for.

Stay between the ditches, and have fun out there

Mark

 

I must say, My S is one of the best cars I have ever had the pleasure to drive in the snow. Today on the autobahn with 3+ inches in the fast lane it drove on through issue free. I can't say the same for the new Shelby trying to drive sideways in the far right lane almost stopping all traffic on the autobahn!

 

Hey,
My '08 MCS is great in the snow, even with stock Conti all-seasons. Here is a picture I took this morning to give you an idea how much snow we had. I dug it out and went motoring about. It was me and the SUV's on every road. Some were plowed, most were not. I had no problem getting around and my Mini is riding on NM Engineering Springs (read 1.25" drop).
IMHO how your Mini goes in the snow is all about the person behind the wheel - you need to be realistic about where it can go. I wouldn't blaze trails in 24" powder, but I also never took my 4WD Tacoma on the track at Summitt Point.
Cheers - I am going to go motor about again!
Greg

 

Thats an awesome picture NAProf! I've only driven in snow once in my life. It was scary. I was in my Civic and it went well. I was driving slower than everyone else though, up in DC a couple years ago.