Mini HT 2012 Tires: Sumitomo 195/60x15

This past winter was my first snow experience with a Mini. I found that my Mini had virtually zero traction on any road except for dead flat. On any incline, the tires had zero traction. There was no combination of gear, throttle feathering or approach that enabled climbing any incline without sufficient momentum.

To minimize the driving skill criticism, most of my snow driving has been in Northern US and Western US mountains with manual or automatic transmissions in American and foreign cars. I do not use snow tires or snow chains. I have never been stuck or encountered any absolute loss of control as experienced with my Mini.

On Tirerack, the above tires rated poorly for winter driving.

Are Minis not suited for snow or was it entirely the tires?

 

MINIs will do good in the snow, its the Tire that makes the difference. Snow tires are a must and possible steelies as it makes it easy to swap out. Get the studded ones and its even more a tank in the snow.

Blizzaks, Pirelli winter carvers, and Nokian are at the top of the list with most MINI owners

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...on-2011-a.html

 

Buy a set of nice narrow real snow tires & you will be amazed how well it goes, turns & stops in the snow. It is all about the tires for winter.

 

Its your tires....

 

What people don't normally realize is that even with, for comparison sake, an AWD vehicle, if they don't have a good set of tires you're going to have a hard time in the snow. Buying a dedicated set of snow tires if your best option. Blizzak is the snow tire I recommend. A bit pricey, but lasted me about 4 winters now and I'm very happy with them.



-Luccia