Hi folks,
I'm ready to buy a Clubman S, but I have one nagging fear. I live in Minnesota and at the present, drive an AWD BMW 325xit. (That one would be my trade-in) Do folks routinely use their Mini's as daily drivers in the winter up here? I've read many of the posts about snow tires, yes or no, etc. I'm just wondering about the use of the Clubman all year long up here.

I'll be very interested in seeing your replys. Please be truthful. Thanks in advance for your input and help.

 

I've driven an '05 MCS as my daily driver for 4 winters with no problems. If you are in the Metro area it should be no problem; they are really good at plowing.

I put Blizzaks on my MCS and they went through anything. I don't live on a major road (mine is one of the last to get plowed) and I have a hill to negotiate up to get to a main route, and the MINI and snow tires made it through. I've never gotten stuck.

Of course, if there is 2' of fresh snow the MINI won't have clearance, but chances are everything else will be closed, too.

 

I'm in New England and we get our share of snow. I drove my 09 JCW probably a dozen times this winter in the snow and loved how great it rode in the snow. I have a spare set of wheels with Nokian WR G2 tires which I absolutely LOVE. Not quite as much traction in snow as a set of Blizzaks, but overall they're awesome.

I feel quite comfortable in my MINI in the snow. DSC and the like is great.

 

they're great little snow cars as long as U have nice tall snow tires (175s-185s) and the snow's not too deep.

One suggestion tho-- get front mud flaps, cheap and well worth it. These cars throw a lot of crap back as far as the rear quarter windows from the front tires.

 

This is such a great group of people. I thank you all.
It's been such a long time since I have had to even consider snow tires. This may seem like a stupid question, but would I need snows on all 4 corners, or would just the front be sufficient?

 

I've never done just fronts. What is ideal is to have 2 sets of wheels and tires, and then just switch them with the seasons.

To be honest, this year with my new '06 cabrio I'm planning on buying all season non-run flats and see how that goes. I'm a little poor right now and can't afford the 2 sets of summer/winter tires and I need new tires soon!

 

All 4-- front for traction, steering and braking, and rear for emer braking and stability. By law some states wont put 2 snows on a FWD vehicle, it has to be on all 4. And if I lived up there in the Great White North I'd spike 'em too.

If U get a second set of wheels, make sure that they will take the tpms stems and that they will clear the front brakes. You can worry about this later.

 

And I'd highly suggest getting the DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) as an option - it's a multi-function DSC that keeps the electronic nannies (DSC, etc) at bay longer and allows for a little wheel spin before it kicks in - good for climbing snowy hills and the race track!

 

I disagree regarding TPMS. It costs about $200 (on TireRack, at least) to have TPMS installed, which is not worth it IMHO. I carry a tire pressure gauge with me, check my tires regularly, and I can get past the car not liking it (it dings once when I start the car and lights up on the speedo, big whoop).

 

Sequence-I'd love to, but I don't think we can spike them here. That's been outlawed for several years.

 

Hey AVMini101, I just made it through my first winter on all-season optioned tires here in the twin cities. I did not have a problem getting around. My only concern was because the frontend is low it catches hard ice junks after the plows go through(makes you cringe thinking what it did to the paint or fog lights). But I digress, I'll eventually get 2 sets of tires, but the all seasons, should get you through. Please note: I did not attempt hills like they have in Duluth on icy days, but I'm guessing all cars would have issues with that challenge.

You will notice the difference from AWD to FWD. It's your comfort level.

 

Thanks for your input Minnesota Mini. I'm in Apple Valley.
When I look around and see all of the other smaller FWD cars, I just figure that they can not be any worse off than the Mini. Aside from the height issues, the winter can't be that unusual in a Clubman. I'm guessing that I will be investing an a set of winter tires, but I'm hoping that all-seasons will do the job. Even if you have them on a separate set of wheels, it could be a pain swapping out the wheels/tires twice a year.
And you are right. I AM spoiled from having AWD on my wagon. But again, there are a lot of cars running around without it. It's always interesting watching the drivers in the winter showing off their 4WD and AWD vehicles plowing through the snow nice and fast, and then realizing that they can not STOP any better then anyone else!
Amazing!

 

I don't have any measurements to go by, but I don't think the MINIs are significantly lower to the ground than most cars. There used to be a video on MINIUSA.com that actually touted its ground clearance. I've had no more issues with that than I have any other car I've driven.

Regarding swapping out tires twice a year, it's something that I really don't mind doing. It takes about an hour to do and gives me just what I need in the summer or winter. I can't see myself running all-seasons on a car as zippy as this.

 

Thanks Tu13es,
I have tried to research several sites, and the best information about ground clearance for the Mini states that it is about 5.3 inches. I compared that with my 2002 325xit, which after searching long hours, turned out to be 6.5 inches. I don't think that a difference of about an inch should make a HUGE difference. At least until I come across that 5.5 inch chunk of ice!!

 

I drive my 05 Cooper S year round here in Denver. I have never had a problem with getting around. I have a set of snow tires that works great. Now I would not try to take the MINI to the mountains but around town it is great!

 

The height of minis are average, but I think the front end is a little lower than the sides and back (are S models front facia lower?). Again, I made it through the winter just fine on stock all seasons. My only concern was when the plows made walls that I had to drive through. I guess that was more of babying the new MINI than an issue with driveability (if that's a word). With that said- I drove a Fiero (rearwheel /midengine car/ low to the ground) in in the MN winters and that was fun as a teen and 20 something, but it would be a nightmare to me now.

 

Interesting how, what we did with such ease and lack of fear when we were younger, now makes us think 2 or 3 times before we cautiously make a move. Maybe we learned something. Maybe we were lucky.