Today on my way to work I was driving down a icy road. My front end slid and then my rear came around real quick. I got it under control and then it happened again. My front started to slide with my rear coming around real quick. When I got to work I started to remember my 22 mm NM rear sway bar is set to one setting from the stiffest. Do people set there RSB's to softer settings for winter. This is my first time driving my mini in the winter. It normally stays in the garage.

 

What are your tires? If you're running summer tires they're going to be too hard when the temp drops.

 

Yes I know my tires are a problem. Brand new Michelin pilot super sports. I'm just trying to drive my car as much as possible, and drive the truck on the really bad days. It was a 40 degree morning according to my phone, but 33 degrees in reality. I should of not taken the car when I almost fell in the driveway. But that doesn't ansewer my question. If I soften my RSB will it lessen the chance my rear end will come around in a slide?. If it makes sense, I'll change the settings in the next two days I have off.

 

I can't comment on the sway bar. Sorry. My guess is it's the tires.

 

It is a good idea imo to set the rsb to a loosr setting when winter is coming...I change mine when I swap to my winter tires. Keeps a nice "balance" and makes driving on icy or even dry but sandy roads...helps make the car less tail happy in my experience... And more enjoyable...less work on rutted snowy roads keeping it STRIGHT.....less traction means you are CLOSER to having the rear end come around.....that is WHY many folks set it looser.
Changing it is one or two bolts... You CAN change ONE SIDE...you are just changing the tension of the bar...I have always done both sides...
While doing this, it is an opportunity to grease Your rsb zerk fittings (if do equipped) to prevent clunks and squeeks.

 

Thanks that is what I would expect. Softer setting on the RSB and less likely for the rear to come around. Will set it on the softest setting before driving it again. Thanks.

 

A softer rear bar won't help you much if you're still on summer tires. That's definitely the bigger issue.

 

Yes I understand that. Just trying to drive the car as much as possible. The mini is so much more fun to drive then the truck.

 

Then buy some tires that are designed to work at temperatures less than 40 degrees. If you have to do a panic stop with those pilot super sports you're probably going to crash right into whatever you're trying to avoid. Summer tires in the winter suck

 

As hard as it is, park your MINI if you have summer tires on in the winter. Your MINI might as well be a bumper car with those on it in the snow. Not only is this dangerous for you, but for other drivers on the road.

 

Yea it looks like its back to the garage. Next 10 days looks like it not going to get above 32 degrees with a chance of snow most days. She'll have to spend the next two months in the garage so I'll have to look at getting coilovers, so I'll have something to do.

 

I would keep it parked till the temp goes above 40° or so...
It would suck to slide into a ditch at the speed limit on a perfectly clear day cause you have no grip....folks have done it on summers...very frequently actually.
Summer tires are litterly like hockypucks...hard when cold...and soft and rubbery when warm...that's WHY hockey pucks are usually stored in a bucket of ice, and swapped out as they warm up if you play indoors....

 

Depending on where you live, maybe just pickup a set of used rims and put some snows on? It might be worth the $500/$700 bucks to keep driving the car. There are usually a few sets on the Market here.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Drove ONCE on Summer tires in a snow/ice storm.

I was in an AWD car.

Almost died.

Its the tires. Either get off the road or swap them out.

You won't regret it.

 

Will be buying another set of rims, but not until the winter is over. The rims I want cost a lot and I can't get them until after I do my taxes. So I'll just keep it garaged.

 

My MINI has the pilot super sports. Below 40 degrees you have to let the tires warm up. If the roads are damp and below 40 then just drive less aggressive. Definately not up to any snow or ice driving.

My winter car is a BMW 330i with dunlop winter sport 4D tires. I bought cheap Sport edition wheels in a smaller 17" wheel for the BMW but the quality is pretty good for a winter wheel. They were pretty cheap also. I then run pilot super sports for both cars in the summer. I would skip all seasons in general and run a winter tire and summer tire.

 

i dont know that it'd matter TOO much as far as setting the rsb stiffer or looser would it?

 

Sorry to threadjack, but do you like the 330i? I'm looking more more of a sport touring car, and I like BMWs but I'm wary of getting a turbo 328/335i.

 

We have left ours on the stiffest setting this winter and have encountered a LOT of snow. I think it's the tires no question. We tried to use our OEM Pirelli P-Zero 19" tires, but one coating of snow told us that was not going to work.

Put some Nitto Motivo AS tires on and it's night and day....fantastic snow/ice performance

 

Drive slower.

 

OK, so who's Mini has a "slow" speed? Mine certainly don't

Sounds like a factory defect!

 

I'm late to the party here, but I'll throw in my 2 cents.

After I put my camber plates up front I was worried the tail would wag the dog so I softened up the 19mm rear bar. After a bit I tightened the rear bar all the way & it has been that way for a few years. No problems on snow & ice, but I do run snow tires in the winter. In winter it is all about tires. Snow tires cost less than my insurance deductible. Well worth the cost & will make your MINI a snow machine.

 

I don't buy that, I guess driver experience plays a bigger role, I got around with temps in the teens and ice and snow on my Conti DW summer only tires with no issues.

 

I have not driven my mini since this first post. Really miss driving her, but it's for the best. This winter has been real bad and my truck has been hit with ice flying off of other vehicles more then a few times. Can't wait for the weather to get above 40 degrees. Also the potholes are everywhere.

 

Smart man!!
It is amazing how fast the fronts of these cars can get "sandblasted" from road grit/sand during the winter....
My suggestion for folks who do lots of winter driving...
1-get a clear BRA...
2-get the clear headlight covers--kinda like a BRA, but an easy DIY..will keep them clear, and like new for YEARS!! (my 2005 headlights still look new).
3-as you figured out-appropriate tires/rims