Tell me about your Mini Cooper...

[ASammy1]

... 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!

[GLC1968]

I *had* a 2004 MINI Cooper S hardtop (before they had convertibles!) and I loved it. I had a hitch mounted bike rack that I used for bikes and it worked wonderfully. I could fit my bike in the car but it wasn't ideal that way (had to remove the wheel and it was only sort of lying down since the seats didn't fold flat). At the time, we lived in NC so I really only drove it in light snow - up to probably 4 inches and it handled fine. It probably doesn't have the best clearance in the world for heavier, unplowed conditions though. What surprized me was how well it did with ice. The DSC paired with the front wheel drive and relatively heavy car (for it's size) actually handled the icy conditions quite well, and we had a lot of ice there. On the flip side, I swear that the car kept cool in the summer longer than any other car I've owned. I'd get to the grocery store, shop, and when I got back to the car, the interior was still somewhat cool even in the southern sun! Weird!

I traded that MINI in on a Prius 3 years ago and I cried as I walked away from it.

Saturday we are picking up our new MINI. We ordered a 2011 MINI Cooper S Clubman. I can't wait! We ordered the roof racks for bikes, so we'll see how that works for me since I'm kinda short. I'll let you know how it goes!

Oh, I also drove the Countryman when we were at the dealer and it was very nice, but the rear seats didn't fold flat and that was a requirement for us with two dogs. The Clubman seats do go flat. Oh, and I have no idea if our bikes will fit in back, but I can let you know after Saturday as well.

Did I mention that I CAN'T WAIT!?

[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.

[ASammy1]

Thanks GLC and TsPoet! We currently have a Dodge Charger (I inherited it when my grandfather passed in 2009) and a Saab 9-3. Now that we are in the upper midwest, DH wants to trade the Charger for a Jeep 4x4. I love my Saab, but want something with better gas mileage for my 50 mile round trip commute and to counter the gas the Jeep will guzzle. The few really bad snows/year that we get here, I figured we could "share" the Jeep. I appreciate both of your responses!

[ASammy1]

Did I mention that I CAN'T WAIT!?

I can't wait to hear all about it!

[GLC1968]

Did I mention that when I bought my 2004 MINI, I traded in a Saab 9-3 for it? No? Maybe I should have.

Actually, I hated the Saab. I hated the clutch. I hated the lack of visiblity (it was a convertible). I hated the 'image' it had in FL. I hated the turbo. I hated that when I went to trade it in, I got so little for it (no demand) that it was pathetic.

[ClockworkOrange]

Tell me about your Mini Cooper...

... 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?

In 2004 I wanted to purchase a Mini Cooper when the updated model first came out but there was a year's waiting list, so not being a patient person I opted for the Mini One, which was delivered January 2005.

Absolutely no regrets, I love my little car and so does my Grandson.

The ragtop is fun, especially with the English weather. Even enough space for two passengers, providing they are not too big. Although only a basic 1598cc engine, she is nippy, brilliant around town.

BUT the downside of having a ragtop, nowhere to put a bike rack! That was why I bought a Strida bike but that was a very unhappy ending for me, broken back blah blah blah.

Generally we have very little snow, so no problem.

Note IB sticker on my car, that confuses people over here in the UK.

[Blueberry]

the downside of having a ragtop, nowhere to put a bike rack! That was why I bought a Strida bike but that was a very unhappy ending for me, broken back blah blah blah.

Can you use a hitch rack on it? It is very cute (as is your grandson).

[ClockworkOrange]

Can you use a hitch rack on it? It is very cute (as is your grandson).

It would mean having a tow bar fitted and the way I drive, I might forget it's on the back and squash it when reversing.

Going off topic for a sec, my Grandson is growing up too quickly

[maillotpois]

Clock - he is darling!!! And what a great car!

I've been thinking of getting a Cooper convertible as my next car. Debating between that and something like an Audi A4 convertible. The Cooper is more in line, size-wise, with my current Honda Fit.

[Pax]

I would LOVE a Mini, but the closest dealer is two hours away. I made that mistake with my motorcycle, and it has turned routine maintenance into a never ending pain in the butt.

[zoom-zoom]

Friends of ours have a 2 door Mini...they love it, but don't drive it in the Winter much at all--BUT we generally get about 3x the snow on this side of the lake that you guys do in Chicago (except for this past year...I think you nearly kept up with us...you guys got a lot and all at once!). It doesn't have the clearance to handle our poorly plowed, semi-rural roads.

I've ridden around in theirs a few times. It's surprisingly roomy. I think a Clubman would be WAY cool!

[ASammy1]

Did I mention that when I bought my 2004 MINI, I traded in a Saab 9-3 for it? No? Maybe I should have.

No way! How funny is that? I am curious as to what you meant about the Saab's image in FL... You have me intrigued...

Clock-Your pics of your mini are great along with your now obviously much older grandson

Zoom-zoom-thanks for the input on your friend's Mini. I think if we end up with a Mini, it will be the Countryman which is a little higher off the ground from what I understand. And you are totally right about this side of the lake getting milder winters, plus I live in suburban Chicago where the roads are taken care of in the winter.

[nscrbug]

No way! How funny is that? I am curious as to what you meant about the Saab's image in FL... You have me intrigued...

Clock-Your pics of your mini are great along with your now obviously much older grandson

Zoom-zoom-thanks for the input on your friend's Mini. I think if we end up with a Mini, it will be the Countryman which is a little higher off the ground from what I understand. And you are totally right about this side of the lake getting milder winters, plus I live in suburban Chicago where the roads are taken care of in the winter.

Totally off-topic, but where about do you live? I'm in the western burbs, near Brookfield Zoo. Perhaps we've passed each other on the road, and didn't know it!

[TsPoet]

I think if we end up with a Mini, it will be the Countryman which is a little higher off the ground from what I understand. .

A friend is flying to Seattle right now to pick up her AWD Countryman. I can't wait to see it and compare it to my Clubbie.
My understanding is that the back of the countryman is actually a little smaller than the Clubbie - it's higher but not any deeper and the seats don't fold flat.
She is picking up her new MINI and heading directly out for a 1 week vacation to the Grand Canyon with it, so I won't see it for another week.
(and, it's a MINI, not a Mini)