The following post is from an old post I had in a topic where I got no response, so I thought I would try again:

Hi. I just joined the forum, having put my name down for my MCS this past weekend. I finally got my wife in for an extended test drive and "sealed the deal." I can't wait! (BTW, anyone interested in purchasing a 2001 Saab 9-3 SE ) I put my name in at Ralph Schomp, and was told that I should have the car in hand in around 8-10 months. I am still early in my first trimester!

Well, the real question I had was whether anyone has had any good snow or bad weather driving experiences with the Mini. I don't doubt that it will do well given the design, DSC and width of the car, but was looking for some first-hand experience (especially given the weather we've had recently). Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Hi sram,
Well I don't think we will be plowing through 3 feet of snow like in an SUV ad, but why would we want to?! :smile:
I don't really have any specific examples, but with DSC and cautious driving I've had no problems so far in CO. When I first got it, I took my MINI out for a spin on an empty snowy lot to test & learn the limits of the DSC & ABS. Helpful and fun. I don't have snow tires (maybe next year) but from what I've heard they help even more. With the "big storm" coming in, I'll have to get back to you in a day or so!

The sunny days here outnumber the snowy ones...and driving the curvy mountain roads on a sunny day is well worth any previous snow hassles. Like you, I had some weather worries before I picked it up, but I now have no regrets with the MINI purchase! Let us know what you've ordered so we can spot you on the roads! Cheers!

 

sram24,

See this thread:
MINI Lessons thread

James

 

I found it to be just great, especially given all the snow that we've had this year. I've always hated driving on the expressway and having to change lane, getting out of the ruts and back in. The MINI has been great in this (granted, I still drive conservatively!!).

Probably the only thing that I really noticed was that you'll find the clearance to be lower than other vehicles. You'll get through just fine, but don't be surprised at little crunching noises, even in areas which were travelled over. I've got the standard MC 15" tires (tyres)

 

Having grown up with snow in Minnesota and then 20+ years in Colorado, I can't stand a sucky winter car. I had tolerated the stock 16" Dunlop SP5000's which were fine up until recent wet spring snow, but three weeks ago in order to avoid getting T-boned by a car sliding thru a stop sign, I slid into a curb and needed a control arm, steeringrack, wheel, tire, big $$$'s yet but better than a major crunch which would have sent me into the curb anyway.

So, I picked up a second set of R84's off of Ebay and splurged on the Dunlop Wintersport M3'S. Having been a 10 year Blizzak fan I wanted the runflats and better dry road handling. I mounted them last Saturday and with only todays blizzard to speak from, the M3's are incredible dry or wet. I could have taken the Volvo XC with Blizzaks today, but the MCS will go anywhere in the hills west of Boulder. I took a test cruise up Flagstaff Mtn. today (just for fun) It's actually hard to get the DSC light to come on with these tires. Unless it's super deep the MCS is a fine winter Motorer. Now I'd like to take it up to the Bridgestone Ice Driving course in Steamboat sometime for some more fun.

 

I live in Aspen and our MCS is our only car. I'm running Blizzak WS-50's on steel rims, and it is great in the snow. The only problem sometimes is going over the wind rows the plow leaves in the middle of the street. (just a clearance issue) The front wheel drive and traction control work very well. Only had the DSC kick in once. As long as you don't drive like it's dry...all is bliss. BTW, the dry road performance of the Blizzak's is very spongy, but I knew that going in, and the snow/ice traction is well worth the trade off up here.

 

I had to drive home from work with my summer tires in very light snow. There was barely any accumulation and I was barely getting any traction. Touching the gas slightly caused the wheels to spin (DSC was off).

I guess I was a little optimistic about winter ending early. Next year, I'll wait until the end of April to put the summer tires on. When I did get to drive in the snow with the stock run-flats it was fine. Front wheel drive cars are great in snow.

Owen