Was wondering the best setting to put on a R58 S with snowy and slushy roads. All replies would be appreciated as my R58 S is my daily driver and I have yet to drive it in icy snow roads and slushy roads. But I need to today.

 

Automatic or Manual transmission ? If its a Automatic just keep it in drive and dont turn off the DCS or traction. I wound not drive it in the man-auto mode or sport. In Manual on the new gen 2 MINI i woruld keep TC and DCS on also, which is by standard on all the time, dont put it in sport mode either.

Be careful, take your time , dont make any quick sudden moves,

 

Hopefully we won't have to worry about it 'til next winter!

 

Where's the fun in that?

 

I had to drive once on slushy road this winter and it was my first experience ever.

You will need to be very careful. This is not the kind of car I would be comfortable to drive in real winter conditions.

First, it is too low to the ground and the winter tires may be very expensive. The other reason is the windows defrost and ventilation system is horrible.

Don't forget that the Coupe cabin looks more like a pressure cooker and air circulation is not good.

This is my own experience from low temperature with no snow on the ground but enough to freeze for a few days.

 

I've driven my R58 for about three years now, and every winter in that time. In Wisconsin. I can't say I've found any of dube53's concerns to worry about. Snow tires are not expensive. Window defrosts quickly, and I have no issues with ventilation (is your cabin filter plugged?). Of course, I have the Cold Weather package, though. YMMV.

I have a second set of steel wheels - ECS sells 16" steelies that fit fine (unless you've got Brembos). I got a tire tree and the set stores nicely over the season we claim is summer. I use Blizzaks, but I've heard a LOT of good feedback on Nokian tires too. I feel absolutely planted to the ground in snow.
With the stock tires, yes - be very careful. I leave stability controls on and just feather the throttle with my manual transmission, works well for me.

 

The operator's manual addresses this question:

Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
The concept
The DTC system is a version of the DSC in which forward momentum is optimized. The system ensures maximum forward momentum on special road conditions, e.g., unplowed snowy roads, but driving stability is limited. It is therefore necessary to drive with appropriate caution.

You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC under the following special circumstances:
▷ When driving in sand, on snowy inclines, in slush, or on unplowed, snow-covered road
surfaces
▷ When rocking a vehicle free or starting off in deep snow, sand, or on loose ground

If you don't have DTC:
When driving with snow chains or to rock the vehicle free of snow, it may be useful to deactivate DSC temporarily. To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again as soon as possible.

2013 Coupe owner's manual

My experience with my R59 is in complete agreement with the manual.

 

I suspect the previous poster complaining about the window defroster was not using the AC. AC is not just for summer, it's a dehumidifier by nature. High heat plus AC clears those windows right up.

I drove front wheel drive cars for 12 years in Chicago, and growing up that's all my parents owned while living all over Colorado, Montana, and Michigan.

Back in the day we did just fine without ABS and DSC. These driver aids make us worse drivers, not better. But that's a different conversation (I'm talking about skill, not safety).

The only thing I might be concerned about with the Mini would be the lower ground clearance, but even with that I wouldn't be too worried.

We're not talking blizzard conditions here, plowed or recent snow should not be a problem.

When it snows give me a FWD over a RWD every time.

 

Yea, DCS and traction off for full time fun , maybe not the best it you dont drive like track person or auto X 'er

 

The full DSC can bog you down in really slippery conditions, as it tends to back off the throttle too aggressively. I push the traction button once so that it says TRACTION in the tacho when pushing through snowy roads.

 

Yea the DSC can kick in and really slow you down.