Mini Cooper On the Ice - Me or the Car?!

Jokaty82

flyingscotno1 wrote: »

The increasing trend of manufacturers putting stylish low profile fat tyres on instead of 'ordinary' profiled tyres certainly has not helped. Can't imagine the hard sidewalled run flats (that Mini used to fit) help either.

I don't know if I'd purchase winter tyres esp for my car, but if a car had low profile tyres I'd consider it.

My car has run-flats :-( could that be an issue, they cost me £90 a pop, so was considering replacing them all with non-run flats, but trying to do this all at once is quite expensive.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Jokaty82 wrote: »

My car has run-flats :-( could that be an issue, they cost me £90 a pop, so was considering replacing them all with non-run flats, but trying to do this all at once is quite expensive.

Without doubt they're awful things.

Remember once you've got rid of the runflats you'll have to either get a spacesaver spare or that horrible tyre goo and a small compresser, and probably a jack and wheelbrace too.

If you are changing anyway take the opportunity of getting a set of good quality all season tyres, like Vredestein Quatrac 3...the tread is half summer half winter compound, you won't believe the difference in grip in all weathers and the smoother ride you'll get as a bonus.

Doozergirl

Jokaty82 wrote: »

My car has run-flats :-( could that be an issue, they cost me £90 a pop, so was considering replacing them all with non-run flats, but trying to do this all at once is quite expensive.

I was considering changing my run-flats but after having the benefit of them with the kids in the car on the motorway, they are fantastic things that do an amazing job. All that happened was that the light came on. We were able to carry on to our destination some miles away and just had it changed the next day. I've had proper blowouts on the motorwar twice before and they were petrifying. The ride isn't great at all though on the hatch, much improved on the clubman with the same wheels and therefore worth the pain.

DSF/ESP is DSC on the MINI - the button is found at the base of the gear stick - yours might just have three things that look like buttons though. The button turns it off anyway, not on. Mine has it and I don't know if it's that or the ABS that goes absolutely insane on the ice but the car sounds like it's being put through the crusher :rotfl: It doesn't half go on. Mine is in need of new front tyres as well - I should have done it when I planned to a couple of weeks back but at one point it seemed like winter wasn't coming!

Don't know what to say really - mine isn't great but I'm driving it to anticipate that it will have no intention of stopping any time soon. My road is gritted as well so it's only bits and pieces that I have to drive on where it's a concern.

tomstickland

then 2 times yesterday when going about 5mph I lost total control over the car, and panicked!

Get the clutch down and off the brakes.

On Saturday I was driving along the road to our local tip. I was traveling at about 20mph and approaching a 90 deg corner with ice on it. I applied the brakes and they did nothing at all. For about 1/2 a second I was looking at the hedge thinking "I'm going in there", then I got the clutch down and turned a bit and the car pulled round the corner.

If you start slipping when braking then get off the brakes and then back onto them.
Get the clutch down so that the wheel speed can match the ground speed and try their hardest.


Low profile and wide tyres are useless on snow and ice.

The best way to do this is to buy a used set of alloy wheels,

Steel wheels!

adouglasmhor

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Without doubt they're awful things.

Remember once you've got rid of the runflats you'll have to either get a spacesaver spare or that horrible tyre goo and a small compresser, and probably a jack and wheelbrace too.

If you are changing anyway take the opportunity of getting a set of good quality all season tyres, like Vredestein Quatrac 3...the tread is half summer half winter compound, you won't believe the difference in grip in all weathers and the smoother ride you'll get as a bonus.

Good advice.

Jokaty82

I dont' actually travel that far, and do have breakdown cover if I did.

Someone told me if I changed them to get that compressor and goo stuff which I would rather than a tyre, as I cant change a tyre anyway!

Although run flats a blessing if it does go out, they cause me nothing but problems and I have to change them a lot more often than normal tyres and I simply cant continue to afford 90 quid a time!

gilbert_and_sullivan

Jokaty82 wrote: »

I dont' actually travel that far, and do have breakdown cover if I did.

Someone told me if I changed them to get that compressor and goo stuff which I would rather than a tyre, as I cant change a tyre anyway!

!

Problem with the compressor and goo is that if you have a ruined tyre you will be up the creek without a paddle, and at the mercy of a tyre breakdown service, and supposing it happens on a Saturday night a long way from home and they can't get a tyre, remeber sod's law always applies with such eventualities.

The best way by far is to get a space saver, as you've got breakdown cover you could manage without a jack as the man will use his own professional jobbie anyway.
Make sure the wheelbolts on the car suit the spacesaver wheel...not all do.

ozvaldinho

Try lowering your tyre pressures in the snow, down to 20psi, but don't drive at sustained high speeds if you do. It's ok for just pottering around locally.

As for your door, smear some vaseline around your door seals and don't wash your car just before it's going to freeze.

Premier_2

Jokaty82 wrote: »

I have been driving for years and class my self to be a fairly good driver,...

Does any driver ever consider themselves to be anything else?

Jokaty82 wrote: »

... 2 times yesterday when going about 5mph I lost total control over the car, and panicked!

The evidence suggests you may not be as good as you think you are.

Perhaps consider further training with the IAM or RoSPA. Some training on a local skid pan may also help to develop your skills in handling your car in adverse weather conditions.

gilbert_and_sullivan

tomstickland wrote: »

Low profile and wide tyres are useless on snow and ice.


Steel wheels!

Yes i agree but most people who drive a Mini will want their car to look cool at all times whether or not it's practical hence all the low profiled runflats, and used steelies probably unheard of....i've only carried a handful with steel wheels and i've delivered hundreds of the things.

Secondly i wonder how many decimal places BMW parts dept could get onto the bottom line of the invoice for a set of steelies for a Mini (plus wheelbolts which WILL be different).

Would be worth someone enquiring just for the unbelievable figure.