M3 winter experiences...

wgf77 · 12-10-2008, 08:47 PM

Well, I live in Chicago and have not had much luck driving my 6-mt M3 sedan. It has snowed or the rain has frozen or the temp has been below freezing. I tried to accelerate on dry but cold pavement and the PS2's were useless. I am driving the fiance's Lexus truck but how have your experiences been in cold climates without snow tires? Some mornings I want to drive her to work

but when it is below freezing it is no fun!

flyinbrian · 12-10-2008, 08:50 PM

Get some winter tires, stock tires will not work at all during winter.

samM376' · 12-10-2008, 08:53 PM

Where do you work and live? Downtown the streets are cleared right away

I passed a coupe on 94 today and we both had PS2's
At fall-line their E92 race car tubs were running about as well.
But a good set of winter tires and cheap rims will run you around $1000 or a little more, great investment

wgf77 · 12-10-2008, 08:57 PM

Live in Lincoln Park but have gated parking. Work in the western burbs and spend many hours on the Eisenhower...sucks but in the summer the ride in the M3 made it fun!

Barmats · 12-10-2008, 09:59 PM

Your PS2 tires become hard rubber pucks in cold temperatures. Any high performance summer tire will have poor to no grip in temps below 45º F and/or snow. All season tires would be better, but snow tires are definitely your best option. I've driven summer performance tires in the snow, and the lack of grip was truly amazing.

ideliver · 12-10-2008, 10:31 PM

summer tires for the summer...winter tires for the winter...simple...if you think that you can drive ANY CAR with summer tires all season...you are sadly mistaken...

http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=23

http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=22

Radiation Joe · 12-10-2008, 11:11 PM

Dude!

You're in Chicago. What part of "I need winter tires for winter in Chicago." did you miss during the Welcome to Chicago orientation?

Kidding aside. Two winters in Minnesota and my current winter near Syracuse NY have shown me the benefits of winter tires. Today, on Michelin PA2s, I was able to drive on snow over ice roads at decent speeds with minimum fear. SUVs and 4wd trucks were having problems.

watrob · 12-10-2008, 11:25 PM

Damn, I am glad it does not get cold down here in Brisbane! Sounds like a nightmare driving too and from work each day!

signes · 12-10-2008, 11:48 PM

Chicago does a great job with the plows but you are really asking for trouble driving in winter there without snow tires. One day you will get caught out in it or hit a slippery patch on the PS2s and adiós pristine M3. Seriously, as others have said the rubber compound will turn to hard plastic in cold temps and the tread is not designed to manage inter conditions either.

R68 · 12-11-2008, 12:39 AM

it's dangerous to drive summer performance tires in any amount of snow. You are endangering yourself, others and risking damage to your car. It may feel fine but a time will come when you need traction and guess what, it won't be there. Believe me, you don't want to experience how little grip a PS2's or the equivalent has in cold or snowy conditions. I learned the hard way the one time I took out my old RS6 on PZero's after a light dusting.

JC919 · 12-11-2008, 01:40 AM

I live in Houston where it rarely freezes and never snows, so I fit a set of Pilot Sport Cups on my stock 19s. Well, tonight it froze and sleeted (or however that's spelled) and I must say that the experience was quite interesting.

mkoesel · 12-11-2008, 02:30 AM

Finally got the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2s on my car today (stock 18" tire sizes mounted to stock 18" wheels). Difference was immediately noticeable - the car was less likely to lose traction in the rear and definitely tracked much better at speed. Later my wife and I switched cars (hers has had snow tires on for a month already) due to scheduling and I did not tell her I had put the snows on. She later commented how she noticed it felt much easier to drive from the last time she drove it. This was on dry roads with temps in the mid to high 20s. So the benefit is realized even when no snow or ice is present.

HotLap · 12-11-2008, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wgf77

Live in Lincoln Park but have gated parking. Work in the western burbs and spend many hours on the Eisenhower...sucks but in the summer the ride in the M3 made it fun!

I had that same commute back in the late 90's - what ton of fun I had living in Chi-town on the park. Too bad you can't park the M for a couple of months and save it from the harsh winter exposure. If you must drive it (and not a beater in the winter) - get the snow tires or one day (probably sooner than later) you will be sorry...the laws of physics will not change - even for an M

sparkyg · 12-11-2008, 07:32 AM

Keep the PS2's and keep driving around town. Let us know when you crash the car.

valeram · 12-11-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyinbrian

Get some winter tires, stock tires will not work at all during winter.

+1 You can still drive it but it is dangerous. Get a set of winter tires. I did and it is a great improvement.

Subw00er · 12-11-2008, 11:17 AM

Get dunlop wintersports

gemini330zhp · 12-11-2008, 11:35 AM

Go to TIRERACK and get your winter tire wheel set up. PS2s will get you through snow and ice its a SUMMER TIRE!!!! On my E46 M3 I had summer tires could not get up my driveway. Changed the tires to CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACTS they are a ULTRA HIGH performance all season tire and really gets you through snow if you do not want to change tires between seasons. Also people have used true winter tires like Blizzaks and Dunlops M3s. I recommend you never drive with PS2s in the winter time in those conditions.

mkoesel · 12-11-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Get dunlop wintersports

They're not available in stock M3 tire sizes which was a deal killer for me. Its not about buying two sets of wheels in my case, its about wanting to keep the stock look and keep the stock wheel sizes to retain as much of the ride, handling, and composure of the car as possible.

Even "cheap" snow tires are good. Our 335i has a set of Hankooks that were barely $700, mounted to stock 162s and they make the car into a freakin snow mobile. Its a blast in the winter and my wife has absolutely no problems cruising around in fresh snow, packed snow, ice, etc., and no reservations about carting around our kids in it.

Bronx Cheer · 12-11-2008, 03:21 PM

Got some Pirelli sottozero's in stock 18 sizes. They work really well for light winter use. (Mostly cold weather, but occasional light snow.)

Deda · 12-11-2008, 04:46 PM

get winter tyres and dont worry!

urbo73 · 12-11-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Finally got the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2s on my car today (stock 18" tire sizes mounted to stock 18" wheels). Difference was immediately noticeable - the car was less likely to lose traction in the rear and definitely tracked much better at speed. Later my wife and I switched cars (hers has had snow tires on for a month already) due to scheduling and I did not tell her I had put the snows on. She later commented how she noticed it felt much easier to drive from the last time she drove it. This was on dry roads with temps in the mid to high 20s. So the benefit is realized even when no snow or ice is present.

Told you so in another thread

chris719 · 12-12-2008, 01:03 AM

Below about 50F, even in dry conditions, I have more grip from my Michelin PA3 (225s!) on the rears than my summer 255's (z4m).

12-10-2008, 08:47 PM	#1
wgf77 Private First Class 17 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2012 Audi A5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	M3 winter experiences... Well, I live in Chicago and have not had much luck driving my 6-mt M3 sedan. It has snowed or the rain has frozen or the temp has been below freezing. I tried to accelerate on dry but cold pavement and the PS2's were useless. I am driving the fiance's Lexus truck but how have your experiences been in cold climates without snow tires? Some mornings I want to drive her to work but when it is below freezing it is no fun!
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12-10-2008, 08:50 PM	#2
flyinbrian First Lieutenant 23 Rep 358 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Michigan iTrader: (1)	Get some winter tires, stock tires will not work at all during winter.
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12-10-2008, 08:53 PM	#3
samM376' ///M Enthusiast 3 Rep 136 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Where do you work and live? Downtown the streets are cleared right away I passed a coupe on 94 today and we both had PS2's At fall-line their E92 race car tubs were running about as well. But a good set of winter tires and cheap rims will run you around $1000 or a little more, great investment __________________ E92 ///M3 AW/Black-Extended 6MT Cold/Premium/Tech/Sound/iPod/HD/SAT/PDC/CF Roof/Shade/aFe Filter/RD LED AE/Painted Reflectors http://chitownm.com
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12-10-2008, 08:57 PM	#4
wgf77 Private First Class 17 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2012 Audi A5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Live in Lincoln Park but have gated parking. Work in the western burbs and spend many hours on the Eisenhower...sucks but in the summer the ride in the M3 made it fun!
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12-10-2008, 09:59 PM	#5
Barmats Lieutenant 17 Rep 504 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CA iTrader: (4)	Your PS2 tires become hard rubber pucks in cold temperatures. Any high performance summer tire will have poor to no grip in temps below 45º F and/or snow. All season tires would be better, but snow tires are definitely your best option. I've driven summer performance tires in the snow, and the lack of grip was truly amazing.
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12-10-2008, 10:31 PM	#6
ideliver Major 240 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: E60 M5, E71 X6M, E46 M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: At the gas station iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW E46 M3 'vert [0.00] 2008 BMW M5 [0.00] 2011 BMW E92 [0.00] 2012 BMW X6M [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 [0.00]	summer tires for the summer...winter tires for the winter...simple...if you think that you can drive ANY CAR with summer tires all season...you are sadly mistaken... http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=23 http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=22 __________________ Current: 2006 E46 M3 'vert 6-sp 2008 E60 M5, 2011 E92 328 6-sp, 2011 E70 N55, 2012 E71 X6M
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12-10-2008, 11:11 PM	#7
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	Dude! You're in Chicago. What part of "I need winter tires for winter in Chicago." did you miss during the Welcome to Chicago orientation? Kidding aside. Two winters in Minnesota and my current winter near Syracuse NY have shown me the benefits of winter tires. Today, on Michelin PA2s, I was able to drive on snow over ice roads at decent speeds with minimum fear. SUVs and 4wd trucks were having problems.
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12-10-2008, 11:25 PM	#8
watrob Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: MY2022 X5 M-Sport 45e White Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brisbane - Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Toyota Yaris Z ... [0.00] 2022 BMW X5 G05 e45 [0.00] 2015 Ferrari Cali T [0.00]	Damn, I am glad it does not get cold down here in Brisbane! Sounds like a nightmare driving too and from work each day! __________________ MY22 X5 M-Sport 45e White, 22"rims, Red Calipers, Ceramic Pads. Better off saying what it does not have and that's a B&O Audio System, otherwise all option boxes are ticked.
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12-10-2008, 11:48 PM	#9
signes Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,318 Posts Drives: 991 GT3 RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Living at (almost...) 9k iTrader: (5)	Chicago does a great job with the plows but you are really asking for trouble driving in winter there without snow tires. One day you will get caught out in it or hit a slippery patch on the PS2s and adiós pristine M3. Seriously, as others have said the rubber compound will turn to hard plastic in cold temps and the tread is not designed to manage inter conditions either.
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12-11-2008, 12:39 AM	#10
R68 Maverick-y 17 Rep 80 Posts Drives: M Uber Alles Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 5700 ft. iTrader: (0)	it's dangerous to drive summer performance tires in any amount of snow. You are endangering yourself, others and risking damage to your car. It may feel fine but a time will come when you need traction and guess what, it won't be there. Believe me, you don't want to experience how little grip a PS2's or the equivalent has in cold or snowy conditions. I learned the hard way the one time I took out my old RS6 on PZero's after a light dusting. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 DCT \| Space Grey \| Fox Red Novillo \| Carbon Leather \| All Options \| BMW CCA, RMC, MOA member \| www.earlesfork.com
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12-11-2008, 01:40 AM	#11
JC919 Lieutenant Colonel 72 Rep 1,803 Posts Drives: CSL Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland iTrader: (0)	I live in Houston where it rarely freezes and never snows, so I fit a set of Pilot Sport Cups on my stock 19s. Well, tonight it froze and sleeted (or however that's spelled) and I must say that the experience was quite interesting.
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12-11-2008, 02:30 AM	#12
mkoesel Moderator 7512 Rep 19,368 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	Finally got the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2s on my car today (stock 18" tire sizes mounted to stock 18" wheels). Difference was immediately noticeable - the car was less likely to lose traction in the rear and definitely tracked much better at speed. Later my wife and I switched cars (hers has had snow tires on for a month already) due to scheduling and I did not tell her I had put the snows on. She later commented how she noticed it felt much easier to drive from the last time she drove it. This was on dry roads with temps in the mid to high 20s. So the benefit is realized even when no snow or ice is present. Last edited by mkoesel; 12-11-2008 at 08:26 AM..
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12-11-2008, 07:32 AM	#14
sparkyg Brigadier General 142 Rep 3,523 Posts Drives: A6 Allroad Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oil Country iTrader: (5)	Keep the PS2's and keep driving around town. Let us know when you crash the car.
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12-11-2008, 11:17 AM	#16
Subw00er Bates '08 Interlagos Launch 126 Rep 1,230 Posts Drives: 440i xGC, ZL1, JCW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	Get dunlop wintersports
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12-11-2008, 11:35 AM	#17
gemini330zhp Major 34 Rep 1,180 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: BergenCo NewJersey iTrader: (0)	Go to TIRERACK and get your winter tire wheel set up. PS2s will get you through snow and ice its a SUMMER TIRE!!!! On my E46 M3 I had summer tires could not get up my driveway. Changed the tires to CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACTS they are a ULTRA HIGH performance all season tire and really gets you through snow if you do not want to change tires between seasons. Also people have used true winter tires like Blizzaks and Dunlops M3s. I recommend you never drive with PS2s in the winter time in those conditions. __________________ 2008 Jet Black E90 M3 6SPD no sunroof and 18s to my specs
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12-11-2008, 03:21 PM	#19
Bronx Cheer Private 11 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 sedan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: DC iTrader: (1)	Got some Pirelli sottozero's in stock 18 sizes. They work really well for light winter use. (Mostly cold weather, but occasional light snow.)
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12-11-2008, 04:46 PM	#20
Deda Major General 564 Rep 7,034 Posts Drives: BMW M5 comp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Croatia iTrader: (0)	get winter tyres and dont worry!
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12-12-2008, 01:03 AM	#22
chris719 Major General 7334 Rep 7,297 Posts Drives: '08 M Roadster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Below about 50F, even in dry conditions, I have more grip from my Michelin PA3 (225s!) on the rears than my summer 255's (z4m).
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