Convince me... Minnesota Winter + M3

[RichB]

Originally Posted by Sherpa

You guys have convinced me Now it's just a matter of finding the right one.

I typically run Nokian snow tires. Currently I have Hakkapeliitta RSI's on the 335xi and definitely enjoy them.

It's nice to hear from other M3 owners take pride in enjoying the 4 seasons!

I planned to get the Dunlop WinterSport, but Tirerack and my local shops were sold out by the time I tried to order them. The LM60 was the only tire they had left in 19" that would really look right. I got the staggered 235/265, rather than what I wanted (235/255 or 245/265). They seem to handle the dry pavement just fine though.

I had the WinterSport 2 on my 540i and they were excellent tires. They were 16" and narrower, so they had even better traction. I am pleased with the LM-60...but I do not have a lot to compare to.

Good luck!!

[signes]

I have the Hakka R's on my OEM 18s. I've had the Wintersport M3s, Blizzak LM-22, ... nothing even comes close. I think the R's are the successor to the RSi.

[Sherpa]

Originally Posted by signes

I have the Hakka R's on my OEM 18s. I've had the Wintersport M3s, Blizzak LM-22, ... nothing even comes close. I think the R's are the successor to the RSi.

Yes, these are my next tires (assuming that there is no better replacement for the Hakka R's at that time). I have a friend that runs those on his E63 and he can't say enough about them.

[montreal red]

running pzero sottozeros...
the car is so much fun in winter! esp when there's fresh snow- i head down to the closest empty parking lot to do drifts all the time.

[Griz]

Took delivery on December 12th, I'm running Wintersport M3s and haven't had any problems.

[bavarian19]

Get a proper set of snows and you will be fine.

[RichB]

[smokinjoe64]

I've had both an e39 540 6MT & e92 M3 in MN for 6yrs w/o issue as long as you put on the right 'shoes'...see http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=334462

[linsm3]

The first year I had my M I had winter tires and it was good to go. Now that I've dropped and molded the front and added the wheels it's not even worth taking it out with the snow and salt. If you don't want to do any of this it's a perfect car for snow. Mine just won't see it anymore but it makes it all the more fun come spring.

[drburton]

I live in Minnesota and commute to downtown Minneapolis everyday in my M3. I have dedicated snow tires - Dunlop Wintersport. No problems in terms of handling etc.. Traction control works great the the car is very balanced. Also, in Minnesota they clear the roads so damn fast you don't really have to worry very much about forging through snow drifts.

On the negative side if you your car, it sucks to have salt all over it. Also, the chunks of ice that fall off other cars sometimes hit the bottom due to low clearance.

[5L3]

Love driving my M3 in the snow. I have a staggered setup (245/265) with Continental TS810S on the OEM 18s; the tires seem quite good but I have no comparator. The rear has slid out a couple of times when I've been on ice, but that's been easily controlled.

Also, I've left it for two weeks in an unheated garage in below-freezing temps and it started up again with no hesitation when I came back. It's not at its happiest after a really cold start, but gets down to business reasonably quickly afterwards.

[gogoevo]

Hey, neighbor. I live in South Dakota, and the winters here are just as brutal. I have no doubt the M3 with proper winter tires is great, but for me, spending 2-3 grand on a POS 4x4 for crappy roads is the way to go.

1. I don't trust the other drivers - You know, the "I can do anything in the snow cuz I have lived here all my life" folk. Yeah, they are the first in the ditch, or plowing into you.
2. Chemicals (salt, sand, etc.) on the roads.
3. Keeps the miles low on the M3.
4. Come spring, I appreciate the M3 that much more after driving my POS.
5. Having the utility of a truck / SUV is a plus.

I bought a 1999 Dodge Durango for 2.5k with 125k on the odo. I put another 2k into the suspension, decent tires, wiper blades, and a good heater. Works like a champ, so far.

Good Luck

[gemini330zhp]

Just get the right tires for winter and you will be fine.

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by gogoevo

Hey, neighbor. I live in South Dakota, and the winters here are just as brutal. I have no doubt the M3 with proper winter tires is great, but for me, spending 2-3 grand on a POS 4x4 for crappy roads is the way to go.

1. I don't trust the other drivers - You know, the "I can do anything in the snow cuz I have lived here all my life" folk. Yeah, they are the first in the ditch, or plowing into you.
2. Chemicals (salt, sand, etc.) on the roads.
3. Keeps the miles low on the M3.
4. Come spring, I appreciate the M3 that much more after driving my POS.
5. Having the utility of a truck / SUV is a plus.

I bought a 1999 Dodge Durango for 2.5k with 125k on the odo. I put another 2k into the suspension, decent tires, wiper blades, and a good heater. Works like a champ, so far.

Good Luck

i thought of doing something like this. but its really not worth while to me. i feel like the m3 is just a 3 series at the end of the day. not exactly a 200k exotic like an f430 or lp560.... might as well use it as much as i can. its not like it would hold its value any better by not using it during winter. its still going to depreciate just as much.

plus, if people can drive their 7 series cars, s-class, CL-class, etc throughout winter, then its really no big deal for a car thats 30+k cheaper to be driving in winter too.

[gogoevo]

Originally Posted by montreal red

i thought of doing something like this. but its really not worth while to me. i feel like the m3 is just a 3 series at the end of the day. not exactly a 200k exotic like an f430 or lp560.... might as well use it as much as i can. its not like it would hold its value any better by not using it during winter. its still going to depreciate just as much.

plus, if people can drive their 7 series cars, s-class, CL-class, etc throughout winter, then its really no big deal for a car thats 30+k cheaper to be driving in winter too.

You make a valid point, however, my car is WORTH every penny to me. I agree that depreciation can not be ignored, but I will have to disagree with you on the 3 series remark. Furthermore, and everything else aside, I would buy a used M3 that had been driven as a DD in TX with 10k..... over a M3 with 5k in SD.

Time will tell the value of this iteration of the M3. The better care of the vehicle is a good investment.

[bmwboi]

I'm in the same position as the OP, except I live along the coast in CT. I'm going to trade in my 335xi at some point this year and want an e92 m3, only thing is that it's not AWD and it will be my only car. I'm assuming that if you guys think an M will be fine in MN, you think it will be fine in CT.

To be honest I'm not confident in any RWD car in the snow/wintry conditions regardless of tires but I'm willing to give it a shot b/c I think the e9x M is the perfect vehicle for my needs (practicality and performance).

Back in the day (2003-2004) I drove my e46 a few times in the snow and it was nerve racking but then again I also had high performance summer tires . I've driven my buddies 330ci with snow tires in snow a few times and it wasn't exactly confidence inspiring. I'm not by any means trying to knock the idea of driving an M in snow (I'm probably going to end up doing it), I'm just being realistic. FWIW my 335xi has been amazing in snow with stock all seasons.

[osteome]

If I did not already have a suitable winter vehicle, I would be tempted to run the M3 year round. But having lived in areas that get snow every winter since birth, I would rather subject the beater to the ravages of salt, grime, constant scraping and brushing, and other idiot drivers.

[Reedomn]

I also commute downtown everyday in a JB e90. No problem at all!..If possible, get heated parking at work...it is a must in the winter!!!

Originally Posted by drburton

I live in Minnesota and commute to downtown Minneapolis everyday in my M3. I have dedicated snow tires - Dunlop Wintersport. No problems in terms of handling etc.. Traction control works great the the car is very balanced. Also, in Minnesota they clear the roads so damn fast you don't really have to worry very much about forging through snow drifts.

On the negative side if you your car, it sucks to have salt all over it. Also, the chunks of ice that fall off other cars sometimes hit the bottom due to low clearance.

[signes]

Originally Posted by bmwboi

I'm in the same position as the OP, except I live along the coast in CT. I'm going to trade in my 335xi at some point this year and want an e92 m3, only thing is that it's not AWD and it will be my only car. I'm assuming that if you guys think an M will be fine in MN, you think it will be fine in CT.

To be honest I'm not confident in any RWD car in the snow/wintry conditions regardless of tires but I'm willing to give it a shot b/c I think the e9x M is the perfect vehicle for my needs (practicality and performance).

Back in the day (2003-2004) I drove my e46 a few times in the snow and it was nerve racking but then again I also had high performance summer tires . I've driven my buddies 330ci with snow tires in snow a few times and it wasn't exactly confidence inspiring. I'm not by any means trying to knock the idea of driving an M in snow (I'm probably going to end up doing it), I'm just being realistic. FWIW my 335xi has been amazing in snow with stock all seasons.

You will be fine and will love the M3. Not sure what tires your buddy had on the 330 but there are a lot of factors that go into it. His car also didn't have a LSD and that make an enormous difference when accelerating or going up hills. Look around this forum and the Pics subforum to see all of the M3's all over the world that get driven regularly in some pretty bad conditions. If you have the right equipment, technique and expectations I think you will be pretty happy. I'm on my 6th winter with an M3 and am glad every day that I didn't buy a car for 5% of the year (at most)...

[slicer]

Sherpa-

We may have met some point (my name is Brett). I used to frequent MNAudi (funsuv) and recognize your screen name. I used to have an S4 Avant, then got an RS6, and now have an E90 M3. Having gone from all wheel drive to the M3, I am very much missing the added traction of quattro. I love the M3 and enjoy driving it much more than the previous Audi's but I have been thinking about a winter beater. I installed Pirelli Sottozero's on my OEM 18's which works fine most of the time. However I have been frustrated by the lack of traction on hills. I guess it's not that big of a deal because I have never been completely stuck. It's more annoying than anything. I have to make sure I maintain sufficient momentum when approaching up-hill driveways or parking ramps. With all wheel drive you don't have to worry about it.

All that being said I LOVE the car in the summer.

[cap_freez]

Originally Posted by montreal red

i thought of doing something like this. but its really not worth while to me. i feel like the m3 is just a 3 series at the end of the day. not exactly a 200k exotic like an f430 or lp560.... might as well use it as much as i can. its not like it would hold its value any better by not using it during winter. its still going to depreciate just as much.

plus, if people can drive their 7 series cars, s-class, CL-class, etc throughout winter, then its really no big deal for a car thats 30+k cheaper to be driving in winter too.

The reason i wouldn't drive an M3 in winter is I keep my cars quite a while and I like my ''summer car'' to be perfect. Snow, calcium, sand, pot holes etc... tends to wear out a car really quickly, especially crappy montreal roads.

If you lease the car I guess it doesn't really matter as you'll give it back in 2 or 3 years and get a new one.

my last M car was an M roadster 98 that I kept almost 10 years. It still looked, smelled and felt like new, and still turned heads. I know an M3 isn't like a ferrari value wise, but I would still take care of it the same way I would if it cost 3x more.

so when I get my M3 next summer I'm keeping my x3 so I can safely cruise all winter. My m3 will be warmly tucked in for hibernation.

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by slicer

Sherpa-

We may have met some point (my name is Brett). I used to frequent MNAudi (funsuv) and recognize your screen name. I used to have an S4 Avant, then got an RS6, and now have an E90 M3. Having gone from all wheel drive to the M3, I am very much missing the added traction of quattro. I love the M3 and enjoy driving it much more than the previous Audi's but I have been thinking about a winter beater. I installed Pirelli Sottozero's on my OEM 18's which works fine most of the time. However I have been frustrated by the lack of traction on hills. I guess it's not that big of a deal because I have never been completely stuck. It's more annoying than anything. I have to make sure I maintain sufficient momentum when approaching up-hill driveways or parking ramps. With all wheel drive you don't have to worry about it.

All that being said I LOVE the car in the summer.

Hey slicer!

Two years ago, I was on MNAudi (more frequently, Audiworld) living in the Minneapolis area and driving an RS6. I had a Goodwood Green one that spent some time at Carousel. Both BMW and Audi clubs were very active and friendly around there. Do you know Art? He had an RS6 and a supercharged M3 vert, IIRC. I think he was involved in medical imaging.

Did you ever do the Smileyface tour/rally?

sorry for the