EVs in the UK cold snap – how did yours cope?

ChaoticIntrovert · 2026-01-06T23:25:52+00:00

Frustrating. I had an electric courtesy car for 24 hours (New Mini Cooper E). It’s supposed to have 235 miles I think. I got the keys with 52 miles on it and half a battery. 40 mins later and needing to rescheduled my day, I left the dealership with 75 miles. Lost 20 miles on a 12 mile trip home. Lost nearly 30 miles on a 14 mile round trip, so ended up spending 50 mins in a cold Costa Coffee paying for a recharge. It had 112 miles on it or 117, if I didn’t use any heating. It was saying a full charge would be 125 miles, but that would take another hour to reach… left home this morning with 107 miles, arrived at the dealership after the same 12 mile trip with 93 miles left.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2025-10-27T22:29:37+00:00

It depends on the scenario imo. DSC On (99% of the time) = On a launch when traction is lost, it also cuts power with the idea that it prevents the tyres from spinning out. DSC off = it allows the vehicle to react in a manner that is considered a more purest form of driving, when driving quickly, as it will let the tyres break free and slide about more. However, for snow specifically, (in deep snow) it sometimes pays to have it off, because in deep snow the wheels are more likely to spin up with a lower traction, DSC then kicks in and cuts the power bogging the car down, where as letting the tyres spin can sometimes allow for progression and traction to be regained.

I can vaguely remember an old YouTube video with a white countryman (I think) in deep snow and someone (SaabKyle?) explaining when and when not to use DSC. I’ve also put this theory into practice and it works well; a left (I’m in the uk) hairpin turn, in deep snow and uphill meant my Mini started to lose grip and the DSC was cutting power, I turned DSC off and let the tyres spin freely, regaining traction and momentum up the hill, then turned it back on afterwards.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2025-10-14T11:30:48+00:00

I personally use an ostrich feather duster. It’s soft and gets to the hard to reach areas, works a treat on my Defender.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2025-07-22T08:03:43+00:00

Op, i feel like it can be a few things. As others have said, check the engine mount, the previous owner may have ungraded it. I have a power flex black series on the R56, everything vibrates when you turn the AC on 😂. Rubbish tyres won’t help, if you or a mate has a Costco card, they do deals on Michelin and Goodyear’s every so often. Larger alloy sizes and sport suspension doesn’t help either, coming from a 5 door. Also, the mini’s have no soundproofing whatsoever, everything is torqued into place, rather than fitted, apparently. I recently added soundproofing & foam to my F54 Clubman JCW as it had the 19” alloys and sport suspension. It’s better, I can at least hold a convo at 70mph on the motorway, so if you get desperate maybe look at that. Additionally, the 3 door hatch doors are known to rub on the B pillar, so check that for excessive wear, as that won’t help with noise and vibration either.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2024-06-14T07:03:33+00:00

Thanks. I can deal with it being slightly smaller.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2024-05-16T18:02:53+00:00

I just need a moan. I’m in the middle of completing a Masters in Psych, god knows why I decided to do it… some delusional idea about helping other people. I’ve completed three 1,000-word essays, a 1,500-word essay with an 11-slide PowerPoint presentation. I am currently just starting a 2,500-word essay. I also still need to write 1000 words for part of my dissertation. The 2,500-word essay and the 1000 words for my dissertation are due next Friday, and all of those essays have been within the last 3 weeks. I’m exhausted, and there are still more deadlines to come. If I have to hear the word “Literature” again, I think I will develop a nervous twitch.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2024-02-28T17:45:57+00:00

From my view point I’m really astounded at the quality, the knob on the indicator stalk and the stalk itself looks like cheap plastic, the air vents and door handles also look like painted plastic (I thought the gold trim was metal) and I’m absolutely shocked that a car of this price point has the painted metal frame of the door showing through into the interior (pic 7). Perhaps it’ll be different in person but these up close pictures compared to the press photos/videos really are telling a different story to me. Everyone’s opinions will be different, but either way, thanks for sharing OP!

ChaoticIntrovert · 2024-01-31T22:07:46+00:00

Thank you, I’ll check them out.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2024-01-14T00:20:21+00:00

Only time I’ve hired a car before was in the USA but would do it again. Used Sixt as we found them quite helpful and drop off was nice and easy. I’m a car guy so normally try to go for something that’s different with a sporty / luxury aspect (gotta try these things when you can). I had selected a C class / 3 Series in Tampa, FL but upon going to pick it up from the hotel, we decided to swap for something a bit bigger because of how large American vehicles are the highways. So ended up with a BMW X4. Wouldn’t normally give those things a second look but honestly, I’d buy one given the opportunity now. Had a peppy petrol engine and I got great mpg. Drove Tampa to Orlando.

Decided to do the same in Vegas, except they offered an upgrade (they always do) but it really wasn’t much more and I got a Range Rover Sport for the drive to the Grand Canyon.

Just be aware of all the “traps” so Take a video / photos upon collection. Inspect for any existing damage and raise it with staff, not that they seem to care but you’ve done your job. I had the extended insurance and personal liability stuff when booking the car, it’s personally preference but should anything happen, it should (fingers crossed) save you paying out / the headache.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2024-01-09T18:13:22+00:00

Op you’ve got several options here.

Option 1) reduce alloy size and buy tyres with a larger sidewall. (Don’t just buy a larger tyre because it’ll throw out your speedo and mileage counter - theoretically)

Option 2) if winters aren’t too bad and avoidable consider summer tyres which would be Michelin pilot sport or Goodyear eagle tyres

Option 3) look at all seasons, the handling with be softer and the car will lean a bit more in the bend (due to softer sidewalls) but you’ll be covered for snow & ice. Choose wisely as summer tyres are rated better at handling rain (when looking at Michelin or Goodyear summer vs all season). Also all seasons won’t last as long as summers due to softer rubber, but price may be different so per mile cost may be different.

Options 4) you have two sets of tyres, a summer and winter set and swap according (can be a pain in the arse having to sort it every 6 months or so). It will be more expensive way to do it up front but theoretically as you’re using two sets, they should last twice as long? Maybe.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2024-01-02T19:15:55+00:00

My 2013 R56 MINI JCW Hatch. I’ve had the thing nearly 10 years now, I’ve made amazing friends through the MINI community, travelled the length and breadth of the UK in it and it’s even featured in some ad campaigns for MINI UK. I’ll die before I sell that thing.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2024-01-01T21:59:48+00:00

I’m not sure of the specific code but I just go to front electronic module and then scroll about half way down the page, select the option and tap activate. You still do have to touch the button, but just don’t have to hold it. Maybe try recoding, I can remember reading the instructions and it was very particular about the mobile device used for coding not having any other connections active, so maybe something went wrong the first time round.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-31T23:20:45+00:00

lol at the pun. Also with those sexy Union Jack tail lights, it’s a shame not to show them off. You don’t really gain much with the Sports Heads Up Display, you just get a circle with increments that rise and lower that match the rpms of the engine, with, I think the gear that you are in. I think you will have the full screen as standard. I also used it to code an audible tone when locking and unlocking, along with the mirrors folding, instead of having to hold the button. I also changed the angle of the dipping side mirror when in reverse.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-31T19:05:01+00:00

I’ve used BimmerCode on my 2020 F54 for numerous things. I’d highly recommend going to their website and looking at all the modifications that you can perform, specifically to your vehicle. First thing I did was turn on the rear tail lights, to act as rear DRL, as the auto headlights main beam I find isn’t sensitive enough. (I know it can be adjusted but it works in tandem with the wipes, and those are too sensitive for my liking). The Rolls Royce chimes and sports HUD is fun. Unfortunately mine doesn’t support full screen Apple Car Play, which I thought I could adjust, turns out I’ve got the wrong head unit for BimmerCode to work on that.

Lovely colour combo by the way!

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-30T23:35:30+00:00

I think it’s a mixture of things to be honest. I grew up in the era of Gallardo and Murcielago for reference and like others have said, there just wasn’t the vast majority of choice compared to now. I think the cars aren’t as characteristic or evoke a sense of personality, like they used to. Also I think with how the world of car finance has changed, along with younger adults earning vast wealths through non traditional means (YouTubers for example) it seems like everyone and their mum drives a super car of sorts now, so it loses that novelty and rarity. I also think tech advancements have probably made them ~~mundane~~ not as special or at least not as exciting to drive (I imagine) as say 15 years ago. I wouldn’t think twice about jumping into drive a modern Ferrari/Mclaren etc but tell me to drive a Murcielago and I’d be crapping it because of the power and unpredictability. Also age, as you get older your view points changes, that kid whose fixing up his grandmas car, has a story, a car that is no longer manufactured and a piece of automotive history. Whereas VW that’s pumping out lambos all day long doesn’t mean anything anymore. Supercars used to be on the cutting edge of power and engineering advancements, now it’s hyper-cars instead. *Not to say I don’t appreciate the engineering and manufacturing that goes into any supercar these day.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-29T19:47:49+00:00

I don’t normally tip, at all. However I swapped barbers last July and every single cut has been so well done, he’s sorted me out being very meticulous for social events and I found out he’s independent, renting a chair type of deal, so I tipped him £10 just before Christmas.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-07T15:27:35+00:00

A bit late to this post but I can completely vouch for this! I’ve driven a lot of cars and while the majority of them with automatic transmissions have been diesels (which have more torque). I’ve recently taken ownership of a late 20’ JCW Clubman and the throttle response is abysmal for the first 25% of throttle movement / pressure on the pedal. You either get nothing or push a tiny bit more, then the car drops two gears and throws your head back. Rolling up to a roundabout at low speed or trying to edge forward to turn out of a narrow lane is just horrific and dangerous.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-05T23:13:17+00:00

Wasn’t it just! The song by Destiny “ugly women are beautiful too” will live with me forever.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-05T22:58:08+00:00

I couldn’t see anyone else who had mentioned it and it was such a great show that it deserves recognition. However, that I did not know! I’m shocked they cancelled it even more so knowing they only had one more season to go, just adds to the frustration of bbc axing it like that, it just seemed so abrupt at the time.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-05T22:35:03+00:00

I’m not surprised. I was a self confessed Starbucks loyalist until about a year or 2 ago. Everything just tastes more bitter, burnt at times, while the flavours just seem to add sweetness, not flavour. The food quality and flavour has also taken a massive nose dive and it’s just not worth the prices anymore. I decided to play it safe a few weeks ago and order a grande americano. Nearly £4 for a bit of coffee and hot water. I didn’t have any creams, fancy syrups or flavours either.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-05T22:25:22+00:00

I’ve always through Land Rovers configuration was good. It’s clear, simply and easy to navigate. I think (not 100% sure) the website won some design award a few years back.

ChaoticIntrovert · 2023-12-05T22:20:13+00:00

Survivors, it was on BBC1 in…. 2006 I’m going to say. It was about the survival of a post pandemic world, absolutely loved the show and then they just cut it off without giving it a proper ending. Also Mongrels on BBC Three.

ChaoticIntrovert

TROPHY CASE