With the first few flakes of snow falling here in NJ this morning, I'm just wondering..... how are these cars in the snow?

I have Goodyear 205/45 R17 all-season tires.

Do I need to worry about getting snow tires?

 

Lawman - Can't speak for the MSC Convertible (slightly different weight distribution), but for the MCS Coupe, I have had no problems with mine in the snow with Avon All Season tires - the only problems I have had are clearance related on early morning commutes before the plows hit the streets. However, I have also never put snow tires on anything - even a rear wheel drive vehicle.

If you search the posts, you will find numerous posts on this subject - the nearly universal suggestion is that if you get snow tires, to get a set of 15" (if brakes allow) rims and tires as a package - check out the deals from the tire rack.

 

IMO snows are great to have. They are made to perform best in the colder temperatures, they extend the life of your summer tires. Gives you the best of both worlds.

They have a softer ride because of tread, height, and tire compound that is better in the winter with the frost heaves on road.

I just moved from Traverse City, MI. The land of the daily 3" snow fall. It is tires that make the car in the winter. (AWD just make all 4 tires spin).

I got a used set of 16" oem wheels, and went with a 'higher performance' snow tire since we have little here, but I do go and ski in Boone. Tall thin 15" snows are the best for snow ice.

 

+1
Skinny snow tires with the little snow flake on the sidewalls will put you in the fun zone, your all seasons will just get you by .

 

As a transplanted Hoosier now in San Diego, growing up around snow and driving in it for 23 winters, I'd have to say don't worry about snow tires. I never had a vehicle with snow tires and as long as I was driving like a sane person, I didn't have any problems that snow tires would've prevented. Just use your head and drive your own drive, and let the SUVs and other idiots fly by at ridiculous speeds when roads are hazardous and you can shake your head at them as you drive by them when they are down in the ditch.

 

Depends on your OEM tires. When nearly new, Pirelli Euphiorias wouldn't get our MCS (no limited slip) up a road that I didn't notice was an incline before that day, and there was barely half an inch of snow down. flat awful in the snow. However, the stock 15 Conti Eco on our MC got me through 2 winters with no problem at all, but are probably a little low on tread for another year in northern Jersey (but will try anyway). The MCS runs on 4 Snows from now until April.

 

Never used to use them until I moved to Germany where it is mandatory. To be honest, I totally recommend them as the "all seasons" really don't cut it in my opinion. Money well spent if you ask me.

 

I keep high performance "summer" tires on my MINI year round and have never once had a problem maintaining traction in any winter weather condition. . .

but I do live in Alabama. . . .

 

A set of snow tires will cost not much more than the deductible on your collision insurance. If you have $500 deductible. Money well spent for me.

 

I lived in Texas... Typically if it snowed a half inch, the whole state would shut down, so I never bothered to go out those days. That being said, I was basically forced to use them and found them to be rather nice. Worth it in my opinion.

 

Although upstate NY is a little light on snow fall (Oswego area excluded) the past two winters I second the uselessness of an MC with stock 16" or larger tires. We have an office in Indiana that closed down last winter the day the town had 4" of snow! I swap the little woman's car over to 185-15's michelin arctic alpins at the first sign of snow. My street is flat and I couldn't get her 2002 to move the first winter. Put the snows on and it's unstoppable. Her 2006 has DSC but the snows went on anyway, cheap insurance. The added benefit is it feels like you've got a new car in the spring when you put the low profile tires back on and the car handles again!

 

I kept my stock 15" rims after upgrading to 16" Koseis for dedicated snows. I had to hunt for a Blizzack that would fit, but the results are worth it. I have made it up snow covered hills that could not be traversed by some SUVs (which probably had improper tires and/or idiots behind the wheel).

 

I've got an MCC with DSC and a stickshift, not automatic. I leave the car at home and walk to work when it snows.
I have conti-all weather tires, and if i'm lucky enough to get the car moving in the snow, there's no stopping or turning it. it is TERRIBLE.
I'm debating getting a separate set of rims and winter tires.

Biggest problem with DSC and a clutch: When you come off the clutch from a stop, if one tire slips, the DSC kicks in and it is like you're braking directly on the clutch. brutal! I turn it off until i am moving.
Or i drive my gf's audi. that thing is un****ingstopable in the snow. I think snow makes it drive *better*.

 

I think people blame the DSC for tires that are not correct for the conditions. I have to have the DSC on in ice and snow with my real snow tires. The Mini will plow snow with them! But I leave the DSC on. If you have snow tires on in the summer the DSC will be activating all the time and would need the correct summer tires in those conidtions. Its all about the lack of traction . Get the best traction(tires for the conditions)and the DSC will become more invisible .If your tires wouldn't slip at all the DSC would never come on