Anyone run their MINI's in the winter?

[93Jag98Bimmer]

Hey guys. I have always ALWAYS considered buying a MCS or the JCW edition. There is just something about these damn MINIs that draw me back to them now and then. :D Have owned an E30 325ix and my current 98 750iL. I have done my homework and was originally aiming for a 2004 model for the MINI. But may spring the extra budget when I find a good priced 05 or 06.

My real question though is how many of you have driven the MINI in snow zones? I am in Buffalo, NY. Have ALWAYS had numerous Jeeps with 4WD over the years to keep summer car off the road. Had both a RWD & FWD vehicle for winter way before that. And after having been spoiled with 4WD it's almost impossible to go back, which is why I landed the 325ix.

No way I'd be able to afford the summer car, a MINI S, and a winter beater. I would MAYBE consider running a MINI through winter with an awesome set of winter tires. I see plenty of MINIs in the Buffalo area every winter and have always been curious as to how well they handle...

Any input on winter driving, or direction as to where I could find winter owner's answers? Thanks a bunch!

[NCMINIGUY]

We don't get quite as much snow in Milwaukee as you do in upstate NY, but I've never had a problem with my MINIs here. I don't even bother with snow tires, just run all seasons in the winter.

Put on a set of snows and only really deep snow will be an issue at all. by really deep I mean anthing so deep you are plowing.

[ScottinBend]

I have a set of 15" steel wheels with winter tires on them. Change them when the first snow hits and just leave them on til spring. No problems unless they haven't plowed as the MINI needs the roads cleared for the low clearance it has.

FWD cars are great in the snow as long as you maintain some form of movement. You will never get the same traction as a 4WD car will have, but I have never seen the need for a 4WD car in our family.

[beken]

I'm in Canada and we got a lot of snow last year.

Get a set of 15" wheels and cheap snow tires. Note that if you have a MINI after 2007, you need 16" wheels to clear the brakes. My MINI with snowtires has better traction than AWD's with all-season or summer tires. The key is to have snowtires. The silica compound rubbers are built to remain pliant in cold weather.
Snowtires will also extend the life of your summer tires because you save one season of use on them every year. I got aluminum wheels and snowtires for less than $150CDN each (at one time, that would be less than $100 for each alloy wheel and tire combo). So for less than a the dealer cost of a single runflat tire, your car can be fitted with a set of wheels and snowtires, With the benefit of having a set of full sized spare tires.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2093996604_e59ef592ca.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/3129568317_5b28e693f5.jpg

[strobeyprobey]

I live in Minnesota and my 08 R56 MINI is fine during the winter. I highly recommend the DSC stability control if you can get it! The factory All Season Continental tires are very marginal but were fine for the winter. Also, I highly recommend getting snow tires on a second set of rims. FYI, if you go for an 08 on up or if the MINI you get has the TPS system you will need to have those sensors ($200) installed in your snow tire set as well. As a small clarification, 15" rims will fit on 07 & 08 (not sure about 09) Cooper (non-S ONLY, as the calipers are smaller).