Tell me about your Mini Cooper...

[TsPoet]

... in the snow and how you handle bike transport. Which Mini model do you have? What do you like about it? What would you do different next time?

Thanks!

I currently drive a MINI clubman S, my previous car was a MINI Cooper (non S). I love my Clubbie. I loved my Cooper. There is nothing better to drive in the world. I get about 32 mph around town, 36 on the highway. I got a little less in the older Cooper. The Cooper was an automatic - that is the only thing I really would have changed about it, MINI's are so much fun to drive that they scream for manual.
I live in an area without too much snow, but I've had chances in both cars to drive right past trucks stuck in the snow - even a 4wd truck with an empty bed once. The front wheel drive, when taken slowly with care, is wonderful for a few inches of snow, both slush and packed. This last winter I drove it to Lewiston Id in blizzard conditions and got it stuck - anyone would have gotten stuck where I did, my navigator kept telling me to go, I kept telling her it wasn't a road. I was right. Due to the size, about 4 people easily pushed me back up a fairly steep hill the 30ft onto the road.
As to bike transport, I use a Sportsrig trailer. I've used it with both cars. I hate the idea of putting a roofrack on my precious MINI and the Sportsrig is so versatile.
I think I could get a DF on it's side in the back of the clubbie, but I can't fit my recumbent in there with its big seat.
My second choice for bike carrying would be a 1up-style bike rack on the back -both require a trailer hitch.
The website isn't working right now, but Google MINI Do More for the hitch.
and here's a link to my trailer
http://www.sportsrig.com/
Yakima now makes a similar trailer.

I switched to the clubbie to get a manual and because my other passion besides riding is dog sports and I wanted more room in the back for dogs and dog crates. My 11 yr old doxie-x (my avatar) needs let in the front door, the back on the clubbie is too high for him to jump now.
Because my mom complained, I recently switched from runflats to regular tires. I wish I hadn't, and when these wear out I'll go back to runflats - better ride but more noise and better gas mileage.
Which reminds me, the tire situation (ie no spare) has always made me a little nervous, but the runflats do their job and the only time I ever had a flat, I managed to drive on them to a shop, just like they are designed.

One more thing... my next car will be a MINI! I have a dream of getting their soon-to-be-introduced mini-MINI and a Countryman and having their smallest and largest cars to drive.