Well in about 6 months or less I will be looking to purchase a new car that I can drive year round! I have a 09 3er that I do not drive in the Winter but I have a GMC Sierra for the winter duties! Due to the high gas prices, I just paid $86.00 to fill it up!

I am looking at getting rid of the Sierra and getting a Mini Cooper. I never really liked Minis but I was astounded at how large they felt inside. I am 6'4" and I had a ton of headroom!!! I also loved all the quarks that make it a Mini.

I like the MCS but the premium fuel sucks! So I think a MC might be better! I know the MSC is much faster but the premium fuel requirement makes me prefer the MC, its also less expensive so I could order more options and keep my price lower!

I live in Buffalo and we get snowy winters. How do these things preform due to the low ground clearance! I would put 4 snow tires on to increase its snow traction! Opinions please on how the MCS or MC tackles the snow!

Thanks again!

 

MINIs with 4 real snow tires do quite well in the snow. Mine has dealt with every snow since Dec of 05 & has had no problems. Remember real snow tires not all seasons.

MINI Cooper's also need to run on premium gas.

 

I live in Buffalo too.

The first year I had a MINI, I left the stock all season tires on it. It did OK, but I had a few problems getting stuck. After that, I got a dedicated set of wheels with winter tires and I haven't had a single problem since. They surprisingly do really well in the snow if you have good tires on them.

 

I ran my MCS over here in Rochester all winter on real snow tires (Hakkapelita 4's) with no issues. The MINI handles winter like a champ. I looked forward to each dumping we got so I could go outside and have some fun in the MINI. Since you're from the area, you know how much we got this year. I ran all seasons the first winter I had the car and it was not fun, but mostly because I have a steep driveway.

On the gas thing, I don't grouse at the premium fuel. In my eyes, premium is the best deal going now. If you notice, premium is always $0.20 a gallon more than regular...no matter if gas is $2/gal, or $4/gal. As fuel prices rise, it's much less of a hit (percentage wise) and since you'll usually put in about 12-13 gallons in the MINI on each fill up, you're only spending and extra $2.50 a fill up.

If you head on over to Towne, talk to Paul. He's a good MA and will give you a fair deal.

 

My MCS is amazing in the snow! Just add four snow tires (and wheels). I ski in VT and not once has the MCS left me stranded. Every time i show up at the resort, the valet guys are shocked and love that i made it!

 

Ok guys thanks!!

I thought that the MC non-sport takes regular fuel and the MCS takes premium fuel because its turbocharged! Am I correct?

 

MC + 15" steel wheels + snow tires = Awesome.

All the electronic traction and braking control things really work well in the slushy, snowy and icy winter conditions we get here in Canada. Real winter tires are a must-have.

The fuel question has been done to death here (IMHO), but... I use regular fuel in my '08 MINI JustaCooper, due mainly to the large price difference between regular and premium here in Canada. I know that BMW recommends premium for the Justa - I suspect it's more of an emissions certification thing than an actual need for the proper performance of the engine. I also know that my MINI runs perfectly fine on regular fuel, no ill effects whatsoever that I can see. Others have a very different opinion - they're welcome to it. Suit yourself.

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Mini's do pretty well in snow, IF you have winter tires. I have a MCS and without the winter tires, it was basically undriveable in the snow. I got a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 studded winter tires and it does great.

 

Here is a shot of my MINI Cooper at the top of a series of uphill windy country roads, outside of city limits and not plowed. The city was snowed in, the University was closed, and I saw stuck SUVs all over the place. I trekked into town and back up to the top of the hill no problem. I had relatively heavy 16" wheels and Falken Espia EPZ tires. It handled great, felt very planted and sturdy, even when plowing through snow deeper than the bumper

 

Nicely done show those SUV's what for !

 

Haha, thanks! I really got a kick out of seeing them slide around or get stuck on the shoulder. It was my first experience driving in snow (I live in a pretty moderate climate.) and I was very pleased with how confidence inspiring the Cooper was.

 

So it's April and time for the snow tires to come off. I would also think it might be time to stock up on a new set of snow tires at a discounted price. I have an 11 MSC with 17" Conical Spokes and All Season Conti tires, but I am planning on getting some 16" wheels for winter with a good snow tire. Any suggestions on a good combination and possibly a place to get them now preferrably with closeout pricing? I know the wheels won't be closeout priced, but I would think the tire dealers would want to unload their winter tires, rather than store them over the summer.

 

Snow/Winter tires all the way! Also, for the winter I HIGHLY recommend the XENON HID lights with the headlight washers for those nasty salt-spray days. Makes all of the difference on the short, dark days of winter here.

 

I agree Xenon is the only way to go!!!!

 

According to my salesman, both the MC and MCS require premium. Really, thats a poor reason to not pick the MCS anyway. The difference in filling up an entire tank of gas is like $2.50 as someone else said. There just isn't much of a difference between spending $45.00 and $47.50 on a tank of gas when you've paid $25-30k plus for the car.

Anyway, I've had good luck with other FWD cars using Blizzaks. The ground clearance can definitely be an issue when you start "plowing" it though. Around here where I live, we have the chance of getting a lot of snow on occasion, and the MINI will remain parked when that happens. I have an Xterra 4x4 with a bunch of ground clearance that I use for that purpose. You could consider a Countryman ALL4 maybe...

 

The MINI is a great winter car, *(with dedicated snow tires). My 2004 has seen 6 winters in Syracuse, with frequent commutes back home to Buffalo to see family. So I'm in the same boat as you: Lake Effect Snow! Like I said, it works great in the snow. I've had Blizzaks and Dunlops for winter, on their own set of black steel rims, and I just swap them every fall with my summer high performance wheel/tire set, right in my driveway. Just don't go putting lowering springs on it; the ground clearance could become an issue if you go any lower, when you hit deeper snow and slush.


Don't hesitate. By the way, All MINIs here in the states are supposed to be filled with premium, 91 octane or higher gas, whether they're Coopers or Cooper S's. So don't let fuel type force you to choose a Cooper, if you really want the quicker S model...

 

No. My MC specifically says on the gas cap that 91+ Premium is highly recommended. I run 93 in mine.

 

Mine as well, '06 Cooper. I run 93 or 94.

 

Got home from Jamaica in the middle of the night to find 10" of snow in the drive. Damned if I'm going to shovel.