E92 M3 Winter Car

[MTrezzz]

Best winter rim/tire setup?

People who have experience with them please comment and people who don't please just keep out as i am trying to get the best information as possible.

I live in New York and our winters get bad sometimes and I really don't want to give my M3 in for some 220I Xdrive.

People who use their cars on hills up and down during the snow how it the car?
tail happy enough to slip into a tree? or is it controllable enough to counter steer?
How is breaking? do they lock up like my old mini cooper ?

Please comment and let me know what i can do. I love my E92 M3 & Don't want to give it in for a more capable DD car.

[ZEEM3R]

Get Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 winter tires and you'll never worry about snow again. I also live in New York so I know exactly how you feel. They have been extremely reliable so far and well worth the money. I bought the tire package from Tirerack.com with A7 18 inch rims.

[Gbiz]

Buy a set of 219s and either Blizzaks or Sottozeros and you'll be fine, unless you plan to drive it in a big snow storm.

[EJT86]

This year I went with sottozeros on m359 because there were no Blizzaks in 19 available...last year I went with A7 18s with blizzaks...my opinion the blizzaks are much better in "deep" snow above 3" or so...the pirellis are much better when it's dry...the pirellis are ok in snow but it won't be hard to get stuck...decent sized hills you won't be able to make it...just go extra slow especially on turns keep the power on the lowest setting and add 100lbs to the trunk and you should be good to go...I'm selling my last years winter setup if you're interested LMK

[Ryanski]

I'm running Blizzaks on my stock 19s. I live in Chicago, and so far the we have had a pretty mild winter. Did have some snow fall and I felt very planted to the ground with the tires. Even when the traction control came on, it stabilized pretty quickly. Would definitely recommend them.

[d0o0fy]

I DD my E92. I mount Bridgestone Blizzak LM60 on M220 (255/35 and 275/35) at the beginning of November and takes them off early April. Absolutely no complaints. You loose a fair bit of grip in the dry, but gain A LOT when it freezing/snowing.

[B8bydesign]

Originally Posted by d0o0fy

I DD my E92. I mount Bridgestone Blizzak LM60 on M220 (255/35 and 275/35) at the beginning of November and takes them off early April. Absolutely no complaints. You loose a fair bit of grip in the dry, but gain A LOT when it freezing/snowing.

Same here except I have a 255 square setup on the OEM 219M's. So far they've performed great in the snow/ice we've seen!

[Bavarian Beast]

I am running Michelin Pilot Alpinas and they do great in the snow.

[STooK]

I have 219's with Pirelli sottozeros and this is my first season using winter tires. Previously I've had all season contis on my 335 xdrive.

From what I can tell, when I'm driving in the snow the m3 with snow tires is a better choice. However I street park and getting in and out of spots I feel the xdrive was superior even with all seasons. M3 with snows are definitely good enough though.

[llis]

I had Dunlop Wintersports on my previous M3. They were fabulous for snowpack, icepack, slush, wet, and dry. In powder they were perfectly fine, but I suppose Blizzaks would have been better in powder. Then again, how often are you breaking new powder with the M3's nose clearance?

[pbonsalb]

Skinnier, taller sidewall, heavily lugged snows go best in the snow but handle the worst in the dry. You have to compromise. If the car must do hardcore snow, compromise towards snow. If not, compromise towards dry. I run 255/40 and 235/30 Dunlop Wintersport M3s on stock 18s and they are compromised towards the dry. I am on my 4th winter on the same snows so the rears are really compromised right now.

[MTrezzz]

Originally Posted by ZEEM3R

Get Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 winter tires and you'll never worry about snow again. I also live in New York so I know exactly how you feel. They have been extremely reliable so far and well worth the money. I bought the tire package from Tirerack.com with A7 18 inch rims.

I think i am going to give them a shot and if they work ill be the happiest man in the world. I was debating if i should get the New X6M when my lease is done but if the car is stable like a rock and i am an experienced driver than i see no reason to trade my M3. I love my M3 as much as my older 996 and thats a big claim in my opinion.

[MTrezzz]

Originally Posted by llis

I had Dunlop Wintersports on my previous M3. They were fabulous for snowpack, icepack, slush, wet, and dry. In powder they were perfectly fine, but I suppose Blizzaks would have been better in powder. Then again, how often are you breaking new powder with the M3's nose clearance?

That's my issue ICE, Slush, wet, snowpack! ill give them a shot. Lol ill order two different sets before i decided if i need/want the X6m or not.

[burtonsbs5114]

I run a square 18 inch setup. I have the A7s as well. For tires i currently have the Michelin Pilot Alpin. They are decent in the snow. I do feel them slip during acceleration in snow/ice/slush. They are excellent when the roads are dry. Tons of grip. I will be switching to a stud less blizzak when these are toast.

[M3 Esq]

I ran Dunlop Wintersports when I daily drove my M3 and and also run them on my RWD 335i and I like them just fine. I've driven in all conditions, light snow, packed snow, deep snow, ice, all of it and never any complaints. They work great for me. And the car is fun to slide around.

[ZEEM3R]

Originally Posted by MTrezzz

I think i am going to give them a shot and if they work ill be the happiest man in the world. I was debating if i should get the New X6M when my lease is done but if the car is stable like a rock and i am an experienced driver than i see no reason to trade my M3. I love my M3 as much as my older 996 and thats a big claim in my opinion.

I'm sure you'll love them. I'm driving over areas that have yet to be plowed and Iv had no slippage at all. The only time Iv seen the traction control indicator go off is when I was digging out my car right after the storm and there was a foot of snow on both sides of the car.

There is some loss of traction on dry surfaces but after the winter we had last year, I decided I couldn't take chances.

[MTrezzz]

Originally Posted by ZEEM3R

I'm sure you'll love them. I'm driving over areas that have yet to be plowed and Iv had no slippage at all. The only time Iv seen the traction control indicator go off is when I was digging out my car right after the storm and there was a foot of snow on both sides of the car.

There is some loss of traction on dry surfaces but after the winter we had last year, I decided I couldn't take chances.

That's reassuring to hear and hopefully my experiences will be the same, our winters suck man. I am not a fan of cold/snow.

[MTrezzz]

Blizzak WS80 winter tires - Ordering this very soon!

Does my car have any disadvantages since it's a 6 speed or no?

I am very carful when i drive and not aggressive at all.

[Bavarian Beast]

No disadvantages at all, just whatever your skill level in bad weather. You probably are better off than DCT with the gearing and control really although I have no issues with my DCT and control either.

[ZEEM3R]

Originally Posted by MTrezzz

Blizzak WS80 winter tires - Ordering this very soon!

Does my car have any disadvantages since it's a 6 speed or no?

I am very carful when i drive and not aggressive at all.

I have DCT so I can't answer that unfortunately lol. I just saw that you have a Limerock M3. Are you by any chance in the Old Westbury/Glen Cove area?

[d0o0fy]

Originally Posted by MTrezzz

Blizzak WS80 winter tires - Ordering this very soon!

Does my car have any disadvantages since it's a 6 speed or no?

I am very carful when i drive and not aggressive at all.

No disadvantage, I would even say that you have a lot more control in tricky situations where you can play with the clutch and still get out. Just be extra smooth on the gear changes. You don't want to upset the balance and/or traction of the car, especially at high speed with limited grip.

[MTrezzz]

Originally Posted by d0o0fy

No disadvantage, I would even say that you have a lot more control in tricky situations where you can play with the clutch and still get out. Just be extra smooth on the gear changes. You don't want to upset the balance and/or traction of the car, especially at high speed with limited grip.

Good to know and no high speed travels are done in my car