Just to update and throw some more fuel on the run-flat discussion. I picked up Sgt Pepper Dec 22d and since then have driven about 2350 miles. This week we finally had some snow and I was eager to find out how he handled it. I can say I'm pretty cautious by nature on the slippery stuff, and with a new car, even more so, but he never wanted to get loose by himself without a little prodding. I do drive pretty much flat land to and from work and keep my wits about me, but he plowed through 4-6" drifts okay and did not show any wild tendencies. I have 205/45-17 Eagle run-flats from the factory at 32psi. So, I'd say, keep your head and keep rolling and its amazing how far one can get! Also, I would have to say I'm not terribly impressed with the heater. Its okay, but never gets really too hot in single digit temps. Safe motoring to everyone!! david

 

I have run-flat snow tires... simply awesome... the confidence of actual snow tires combined with the peace of mind of run-flats!

 

they are great, until they lose all their air due to temperature......

 

Hey Oldtrogan66,
I presume you're driven on OEM all-seasons...

I really enjoyed driving the Mini in the snow, even with (only) all-seasons. I doubt that RF vs. nonRF makes a difference in snow. (I'd love to have some dedicated snow tires, but too miserly to spend the extra money because in the midwest, the snow-covered streets only last a few days before we're back to pavement). Therefore, I drive carefully for a week or two each year. I find the Mini to be very, very sure footed and extraordinarily predictable in handling. That makes for a lot of fun, combined with plenty of confidence.

Glad to see that you are loving your Mini. As for the heater... mine seems fine. Wonder if there's a noticeable loss of heat in a 'vert? It's been too friggen cold in the midwest, (11F). Bring on Spring!

 

I thought about that also. When I put my hand on the top while travelling 70 on the interstate, it is cool to the touch, but not cold. I don't remember ever putting my hand on the roof of any hard top car in the same situation?
Anyhow, it doesn't seem to be a big problem, just a small noticable one.

 

I took the mini out for first time with the the stock runflats in our recent snow too. It was no problem at all. Yeah the heater doesn't seem to get too toasty. I see low of 1 degree on Saturday.

 

Mr. Sunnyhorse came home cursing last night and told me Coop is dangerous -- we got a dusting of really dry snow, and he skidded and slid all the way home, the DSC and antilock brakes flickering off and on as he went. Our driveway is an incline but not terribly steep, and we had to leave Coop parked at the bottom while we swept the snow away so that Coop could get up the little hill to our garage. This morning we heard that there had been wrecks all over the St. Louis area overnight, but the roads were now clean, so Mr. Sunnyhorse was mollified -- but we still wondered whether other people have trouble with their run-flats (ours are the ones that came with the Sport Package) in slippery conditions.

We've put 20,000 miles on the tires in the year we've had Coop, most all of them highway miles. How many miles should we expect to get?

 

I found that my Pirelli runflats were good last winter, when the car was brand new, but by this winter they were feeling less than secure as they have 15k miles on them. It seems like as the tread wears they become less pliant in the cold weather. I switched to a winter tires on holies and I couldn't be happier.

 

So far, so good with the RF's in what little snow we have had so far (knock on wood)....and I can't complain about the heater..... the heated seats seem to work really well.

 

I think this could be a notable point. We'll see when a few more miles are logged.

 

Yep, I'd agree with that. We also have heated seats in the (maxi)van, but I never used them! I really like everything about the MINI and I am not really complaining about the heater. I do think a lot of the heat loss is from the cloth top.