Hi there guys and girls. Going up to the snow in a couple of weeks with some friends and forgot to call shot gun for a ride there. So, that leaves me with the only car we have...the mini.
Has anyone taken theirs, and what is the best route, and will there be any problems on the way ie : gravel roads, or bad pot holed roads? Also, anyone used chains on a mini with 13 inch tires? Is it possible?

anything is possible, but go on a sunny say, then you won't need to fit chains. You must carry them though.

If you do need to fit chains, they'll most likely rip your flares off... when i took my blue S up I put wood blocks between the top suspension arms and the subframe to give the wheels some clearance



when I took my gold S up (as seen in the banner) I didn't need to fit them

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Is it difficult to find chains for the 10" rims Simon?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I went hunting a couple of years back now to buy some 10".

Found some in Italy - but then they couldn't post them
Then some in France - no hassles even with postage < $100 - but that was before the $ spiralled.

Size is 015 for 165/70/10 , 010 for a 145/80/10

This list all various sizes:
http://www.snowchains.com.au/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/konigcarchains.pdf

Haven't tried hiring any in decades....

I'd advise against taking a mini to the snow but that's just me. I'd see if you can borrow or hire a car first........the mini would probably be okay but the carparks at the snow can be pretty rough in terms of people opening car doors or bumping / scratching cars with their gear.

As pointed out chains on your wheels could be a problem to the guards or shock absorbers........silly as it sounds I'd get some 12" rims and chains to suit for the front and do that if I had to.

Turns out we are staying in Mansfield. I'm not sure how far from the ski fields this is but we could drive to Mansfield and catch a ride from their. So probably won't need chains in this town right?

Not in Mansfield, only once you start climbing the hills.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Phew! Thats a load of my shoulders'

if my memory serves me correct, a friend of mine drove his mini to the snow a few years ago and after the drive he parked it in the car park at the bottom and didnt notice that the sump was burried in a pile of snow, and this caused it to crack and leak oil, so is that a possibility because it is alloy, just asking.

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Went to the snow good to weeks ago now. We caught a ride with friends which turned out great as the mini clutch failed the day before we left! Lucky!
Would have been a nice drive though.

Cheaper to hire a car than to fix flares I would think. At least you had a good trip.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Re: cracked sumps.....

Minis have something of a reputation for driving in snow

Cheers, Ian

PS I wonder if specialised snow tyres (non studded of course) are an acceptable alternative to chains???

Probably not. My experience is that chains are a beaurocratic way of slowing people down rather than adding grip......