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      05-31-2008, 01:14 AM   #1
ismelllikepoop
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driveability in the snow?

I have no idea if it was even released in time to experience winter weather, but im in upstate ny and was wondering how the car handles with snow tires. im planning on getting a daily driver, with the 335xi seeming like the obvious choice (or x5 but i'd rather not), but every time i see the m3, it makes me wonder how reasonable it would be. i definitely know it's not ideal, but does anyone have first hand experience with it?
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      05-31-2008, 01:45 AM   #2
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I drove my E46 M3 in the winter on snow tires without any issues. Planning on doing the same with my E92.
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      05-31-2008, 05:11 AM   #3
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I drove my E46 M3 for 3 winters with no real issues.The only thing that was ever an issue was ground clearance and now that we are moving,getting out to the main road could be an issue.
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      05-31-2008, 07:41 AM   #4
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If you live in an area with extreme snowfall and/of very hilly or mountanous terrain you may face some big challenges with an M3 in the snow, and would probably require a second vehicle. But even then, no more than any other 2wd passenger car though, really. But in any other environment, you will be completely fine.
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      05-31-2008, 12:37 PM   #5
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poop,

you should be fine on lightly covered roads in the city, but as others have said, i think you'd be better off trying to traverse mountain passes in a different vehicle. issues of getting stuck aside, do you really want to expose your E92 to sand, grit, rocks, and ice? i know i don't...
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      05-31-2008, 08:18 PM   #6
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Winter tires or forget about it.
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      05-31-2008, 09:02 PM   #7
ismelllikepoop
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thanks for the input. i appreciate ppl with actual experience with their cars in the snow, and not just hearsay. no doubt if i did get the m3 i would get snow tires, but i am concerned about the clearance and getting stuck. gonna mostly just driving around town, nothing crazy, but i remember other times getting stuck with a mercedes amg on simple hills a couple of times which sucked. not so concerned about the grit/salt, gonna keep it clean and garaged.
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      05-31-2008, 09:33 PM   #8
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the DSC system works awesome in the snow - better then a front wheel drive car by far. i had my E46 in minnesota in the winter and it rocked. only time there was any trouble was starting up a steep hill in snow or on ice. if the tires would spin too much off the line the DSC would cut in and keep the car from moving. if this happens, just turn the DSC off and start in second gear - works like a champ... and considering that was an E46, I'm sure the E92 is even better!
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      05-31-2008, 09:53 PM   #9
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these cars are built in Germany, they have lots of mountains, snow and winter...
they have heated seats, windshield fluid, door locks & mirrors
asc/atc/abs and a limited slip...and 50/50 wt distribution

if you put good, NARROW snow tires on, and learn how to drive in winter conditions, you will be fine...easy/gradual/gentle throttle/brake, lower gears, leave plenty of room, maintain controlled momentum, do more coasting, etc.

snow nets for the extreme...
I drove similar cars for 10 years in AK...I saw many 4x4's on their roofs
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      05-31-2008, 10:06 PM   #10
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Agreed. GOOD winter tires and the smallest narrowest wheels are the best - I think 18's are the smallest that will fit on the e92. My E46 with DSC and winters handled better than most other cars on the road (with all-seasons). Definitely better than my old FWD Civic with winters. The only issue is clearance with deep snow, but you would have the same issue in a 330. Sometimes I found driving in winter easier with the DSC off, especially with deeper snow.

I've ordered my E92 and will drive it year round without question. I'll probably get the stock 18's for winter with some Nokian winters.

Get the car...you'll really appreciate how awesome it is to have a great handling car on ice!

b
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      07-10-2008, 10:29 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brainspotter View Post
Agreed. GOOD winter tires and the smallest narrowest wheels are the best - I think 18's are the smallest that will fit on the e92. My E46 with DSC and winters handled better than most other cars on the road (with all-seasons). Definitely better than my old FWD Civic with winters. The only issue is clearance with deep snow, but you would have the same issue in a 330. Sometimes I found driving in winter easier with the DSC off, especially with deeper snow.

I've ordered my E92 and will drive it year round without question. I'll probably get the stock 18's for winter with some Nokian winters.

Get the car...you'll really appreciate how awesome it is to have a great handling car on ice!

b
Did you have Nokian's on your E46? - if so, how did they perform and how did they wear? I was thinking about Nokian's on my E46 M3 but ended up going with Dunlop Wintersport M3s as I was told that although you give up a little in winter performance, they wear better. I'm in Toronto so don't drive in heavy snow every day - often roads are clear. Not sure which tires to install on my E92 M3. In Europe they seem to install Michelin Alpins.
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      07-10-2008, 11:52 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brainspotter View Post
Agreed. GOOD winter tires and the smallest narrowest wheels are the best - I think 18's are the smallest that will fit on the e92. My E46 with DSC and winters handled better than most other cars on the road (with all-seasons). Definitely better than my old FWD Civic with winters.
I don't understand how a heavier RWD car can handle better in the snow than a small lightweight FWD car. The civic type car can handle much more narrow tires which helps a lot.

From my experience I had snow tires on my CLK 55 and all the computers in the world cannot save it. My Corolla XRS with narrow snow tires can walk all over it without any traction control or stability aid. Of course my old Evo was would all all over both with all seasons
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      07-11-2008, 12:17 AM   #13
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I lived in the land where summer is short and at times winter are looooooong. Absolutely no way my M3 will survive in the winter time. It is just way too much snow here at times. So it will be park at the end of Oct or whenever the white flakes start to fall.
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      07-11-2008, 09:18 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtPE View Post
these cars are built in Germany, they have lots of mountains, snow and winter...
they have heated seats, windshield fluid, door locks & mirrors
asc/atc/abs and a limited slip...and 50/50 wt distribution

if you put good, NARROW snow tires on, and learn how to drive in winter conditions, you will be fine...easy/gradual/gentle throttle/brake, lower gears, leave plenty of room, maintain controlled momentum, do more coasting, etc.

snow nets for the extreme...
I drove similar cars for 10 years in AK...I saw many 4x4's on their roofs
+1 This past winter I drove a 2007 M6 through about 2 inches of snow with the stock set up just to prove to my wife that if you know what you are doing you can drive almost any car through the winter. Obviously it depends on the terrain also- I wasn't on mountain roads or steep hills but, it is easily done on highways.
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      07-11-2008, 10:11 AM   #15
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Snow tires in an urban setting will be no problem as long as you are not trying to drive through a massive storm. I could go past FWD cars with all seasons in my E46 with snows on hills. If you really want an M3, that should not keep you from buying one although the 335xi would obviously be more competent and fun in the snow.
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      07-11-2008, 12:24 PM   #16
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I drove my car in the snow on stock tires and it was scaaaaary!!
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      07-11-2008, 12:31 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chompino View Post
I drove my car in the snow on stock tires and it was scaaaaary!!
PS2s on snow!
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      07-11-2008, 12:39 PM   #18
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+1 on all the above comments on snow tires FTW- should be fine.

Not feeling your idea of getting a 335xi though. Seems like redundant overkill to me. I think the X5 would make more sense. Not only would it be better in the snow (especially deep snow). It also has some practicality advantages that can be used year round (cargo space for all your poop etc. )
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      07-11-2008, 01:04 PM   #19
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I drove the E92 M3 through this winter and can tell you that it was better than my E46 330i, and that was without studded tires on the M.

It is a rearwheel drive car with lots of power, but the linear power delivery makes it easy to control, even in MDM or with DSC off.

Snow tires are a must have, keep in mind that summer tires are made for 7C or more.
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