Comments on: Ask MF: How to Make a MINI Better in the Snow http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: MadisonKobalt http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-294239 MadisonKobalt Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:00:09 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-294239 <p>Get Ken Block or similar Rally America / WRC driver behind the wheel. See the following clip from the recent Rally America - Sno*Drift Rally in Michigan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K37p0vw9cU. :)</p> Get Ken Block or similar Rally America / WRC driver behind the wheel. See the following clip from the recent Rally America – Sno*Drift Rally in Michigan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K37p0vw9cU. :)

]]> By: Kevin Weinstein http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-294093 Kevin Weinstein Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:50:54 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-294093 <p>snow tires all the way. my first year with my 07, it snowed like crazy in Chicago. put one inch on the ground, or less, and I was slipping,m sliding, going 5 MPH. Then a friend suggest snow tires. Damn. it was like having a 4WD!</p> <p>OK, maybe not that good, but i could drive safely and a hell of a lot better than before.</p> snow tires all the way. my first year with my 07, it snowed like crazy in Chicago. put one inch on the ground, or less, and I was slipping,m sliding, going 5 MPH. Then a friend suggest snow tires. Damn. it was like having a 4WD!

OK, maybe not that good, but i could drive safely and a hell of a lot better than before.

]]> By: Paul Morgan http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-294053 Paul Morgan Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:02:41 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-294053 <p>Nice to hear advice for snow. My '03 MINI seems squirrelly on the freeway during infrequent Southern California rains. Some posts make it sound as though this wagging tail is to be expected. Feels like the start of trouble. Instinct is to slow down. What's the consensus? paul</p> Nice to hear advice for snow. My ’03 MINI seems squirrelly on the freeway during infrequent Southern California rains. Some posts make it sound as though this wagging tail is to be expected. Feels like the start of trouble. Instinct is to slow down. What’s the consensus? paul

]]> By: Evan http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-294022 Evan Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:09:12 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-294022 <p>2004 Cooper with OEM 15" all season Continentals and manual, no DSC. Never had an issue with traction in NH and Massachusetts snow, over hills, etc. My only problem is because the front is so low, it can snow plow in deep stuff. But who'd raise the ride height?</p> <p>Snow tires are never a bad idea though, and with them on for only winter, they'll last a few seasons and probably extend the life of your other tires.</p> 2004 Cooper with OEM 15″ all season Continentals and manual, no DSC. Never had an issue with traction in NH and Massachusetts snow, over hills, etc. My only problem is because the front is so low, it can snow plow in deep stuff. But who’d raise the ride height?

Snow tires are never a bad idea though, and with them on for only winter, they’ll last a few seasons and probably extend the life of your other tires.

]]> By: Fredric Haberer http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-294019 Fredric Haberer Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:16:38 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-294019 <p>If you're the guy in the photo, put on earmuffs and/or close the ragtop and/or disable your Openometer. Winning isn't worth it, man!</p> If you’re the guy in the photo, put on earmuffs and/or close the ragtop and/or disable your Openometer. Winning isn’t worth it, man!

]]> By: CraigE http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-294013 CraigE Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:19:34 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-294013 <p>I live in CT. I had a 2003 Subaru Legacy sedan with the manual trasmission, before my '06 Cooper S. I prefer driving my MINI in the winter. I put snows on my MINI and it runs rings around the Subaru with all seasons. I never once had more than a little drama with the MINI. I did however, spin my Subaru. I'd say my MINI has about twice the traction with snows than it did with the standard Dunlop 16" all season tires.</p> I live in CT. I had a 2003 Subaru Legacy sedan with the manual trasmission, before my ’06 Cooper S. I prefer driving my MINI in the winter. I put snows on my MINI and it runs rings around the Subaru with all seasons. I never once had more than a little drama with the MINI. I did however, spin my Subaru. I’d say my MINI has about twice the traction with snows than it did with the standard Dunlop 16″ all season tires.

]]> By: Jason http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-294009 Jason Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:22:20 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-294009 <p>Move the MINI to FL. The handling will greatly improve; you can even autocross in the dead of winter.</p> Move the MINI to FL. The handling will greatly improve; you can even autocross in the dead of winter.

]]> By: page http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293989 page Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:39:49 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293989 <p>I live at the bottom of a steep cobble stone road in Pittsburgh.. the tires that came with my 2007 mini R56 have been perfect. I have not failed to proceed ..yet... the last 20 feet of the hundred yards up the first of two steep slopes is the challenge as the grip begins to wane but second gear is perfect for this part.</p> <p>The stock tires have worked well for me.</p> I live at the bottom of a steep cobble stone road in Pittsburgh.. the tires that came with my 2007 mini R56 have been perfect. I have not failed to proceed ..yet… the last 20 feet of the hundred yards up the first of two steep slopes is the challenge as the grip begins to wane but second gear is perfect for this part.

The stock tires have worked well for me.

]]> By: Melis http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293978 Melis Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:24:48 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293978 <p>@FMS I've attempted to drive up steep driveways with all seasons and gotten stuck. And also hand grip problems in fresh 4 inches of snow going uphill from a stop. Def get snow tires.</p> <p>@Bernie For the R53 Cooper S, the stock 15inch wheels from the Cooper fit. For theR56/55/57 Cooper S needs 16 inch wheels minimum due to the larger front brakes.</p> @FMS I’ve attempted to drive up steep driveways with all seasons and gotten stuck. And also hand grip problems in fresh 4 inches of snow going uphill from a stop. Def get snow tires.

@Bernie For the R53 Cooper S, the stock 15inch wheels from the Cooper fit. For theR56/55/57 Cooper S needs 16 inch wheels minimum due to the larger front brakes.

]]> By: Chris http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293951 Chris Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:22:05 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293951 <p>Not that you shouldn't be anyway driving a mini. but downshifting instead of breaking can be a help.</p> Not that you shouldn’t be anyway driving a mini. but downshifting instead of breaking can be a help.

]]> By: Bernie http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293949 Bernie Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:08:51 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293949 <p>Go skinny, and do NOT add weight to the car! Adding weight will increase your braking distance and make it harder to recover from slides. For traction, how can you add weight to the the front of this FWD car?</p> <p>Does anyone know of any 15 inch wheels that will fit on a Cooper S?</p> Go skinny, and do NOT add weight to the car! Adding weight will increase your braking distance and make it harder to recover from slides. For traction, how can you add weight to the the front of this FWD car?

Does anyone know of any 15 inch wheels that will fit on a Cooper S?

]]> By: Ken Suzuki http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293943 Ken Suzuki Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:38:07 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293943 <p>We went with 15" Pirelli SnowControls and they work fine for the limited snow we get.</p> <p>Slow down and adjust your speed well in advance. If there are tracks in the snow from the car in front, keep your tires within those tracks.</p> We went with 15″ Pirelli SnowControls and they work fine for the limited snow we get.

Slow down and adjust your speed well in advance. If there are tracks in the snow from the car in front, keep your tires within those tracks.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293929 Andrew Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:49:05 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293929 <p>@FMS - sometimes? If there's deep snow, going up my driveway, I'll have to stop and back up, because it comes right over my windscreen. Sometimes, I have to drop into a lower gear.</p> @FMS – sometimes? If there’s deep snow, going up my driveway, I’ll have to stop and back up, because it comes right over my windscreen. Sometimes, I have to drop into a lower gear.

]]> By: fms http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293927 fms Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:46:30 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293927 <p>Anyone have steep hill experience w/ their MINI? I haven't put snow tires on mine yet, mainly because I live on SERIOUS hills, and I doubt the ability of such a lightweight machine to hold the hill w/out sliding, as it does now with any icy or slick situation. I drive the RAV 4 w/ all wheel on the few days when it's nasty driving.</p> Anyone have steep hill experience w/ their MINI? I haven’t put snow tires on mine yet, mainly because I live on SERIOUS hills, and I doubt the ability of such a lightweight machine to hold the hill w/out sliding, as it does now with any icy or slick situation. I drive the RAV 4 w/ all wheel on the few days when it’s nasty driving.

]]> By: John Richards http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293918 John Richards Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:16:08 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293918 <p>living on the west coast we get very little snow but have to travel over mountain passes. i use spike spiders that pop on and off in min. plus DRIVE SMOOTH</p> living on the west coast we get very little snow but have to travel over mountain passes. i use spike spiders that pop on and off in min. plus DRIVE SMOOTH

]]> By: tompetro http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293897 tompetro Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:39:07 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293897 <p>Dude!! Put on some 195 wide Nokian Hakka's......</p> <p>End of problem!!</p> Dude!! Put on some 195 wide Nokian Hakka’s……

End of problem!!

]]> By: that.guy http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293895 that.guy Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:26:33 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293895 <p>Good narrow snow tires are a given, but the best winter driving upgrade I have made: LSD. Went from OEM open diff to a Quaife. (My car is an 04, so a factory LSD was not yet an option.) Night and day difference in terms of traction and SO much more fun. Winter rally stage, anyone?</p> Good narrow snow tires are a given, but the best winter driving upgrade I have made: LSD. Went from OEM open diff to a Quaife. (My car is an 04, so a factory LSD was not yet an option.) Night and day difference in terms of traction and SO much more fun. Winter rally stage, anyone?

]]> By: Melis http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293876 Melis Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:26:58 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293876 <p>Snow tires are great. But also having the Cold Weather Package is great. And even more importantly than that, the right washer fluid. I once drove someone else's MINI with the Cold Weather Pack but summer mix washer fluid. It turned a blizzard From 6 inches of snow into a very scary experience. Definitely get -20F blue or something like Prestone Winter Yellow. You can also switch to Bosch Icon wipers as the stock ones sometimes cake with ice. If you can't see well in the winter, snow tires, DSC, etc won't help much.</p> Snow tires are great. But also having the Cold Weather Package is great. And even more importantly than that, the right washer fluid. I once drove someone else’s MINI with the Cold Weather Pack but summer mix washer fluid. It turned a blizzard From 6 inches of snow into a very scary experience. Definitely get -20F blue or something like Prestone Winter Yellow. You can also switch to Bosch Icon wipers as the stock ones sometimes cake with ice. If you can’t see well in the winter, snow tires, DSC, etc won’t help much.

]]> By: Dusty S http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293874 Dusty S Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:11:42 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293874 <p>Hey Mary - I live in Minneapolis and roads here can be down right nasty, lots of snow and lots of ice. The first year I had my MINI, I ran it with the all-season run flats the car came with. That was a nightmare to say the least. Since, I got me a good set of Blizzak snow tires and like Gabe said, it's a night and day difference. Snow tires are a must. They make winter driving pleasurable. The grip, they corner, they stop, they are wonderful. I've gone out in 7" of snow with no problem. I don't think I'll push the snow depth anymore than 7", though the winter driving worries are now just those other people on the road who shouldn't be on the road.</p> Hey Mary – I live in Minneapolis and roads here can be down right nasty, lots of snow and lots of ice. The first year I had my MINI, I ran it with the all-season run flats the car came with. That was a nightmare to say the least. Since, I got me a good set of Blizzak snow tires and like Gabe said, it’s a night and day difference. Snow tires are a must. They make winter driving pleasurable. The grip, they corner, they stop, they are wonderful. I’ve gone out in 7″ of snow with no problem. I don’t think I’ll push the snow depth anymore than 7″, though the winter driving worries are now just those other people on the road who shouldn’t be on the road.

]]> By: JP Dunphy http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/05/ask-mf-how-to-make-a-mini-cope-better-in-the-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-293872 JP Dunphy Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:59:20 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=11168#comment-293872 <p>oh and putting more weight in the car can help too with traction</p> oh and putting more weight in the car can help too with traction

]]>