Short Winter Trips

ajvee · 10-03-2011, 06:46 PM

Guys,

My living situation is such that I drive about 2 or 3 times a week through stop go traffic for 2 miles to get to work. I notice with the M3, it barely warms up by the time I get to my parking spot, and this will only get worse at it gets colder. I did drive my M3 through the last winter but I had a more frequent and long commute.

It will be this way for 2 years and I plan to keep my car for a long time (love the thing). Do you recommend I get a beater and store the thing through the next couple of winters?

I appreciate your help with my decision.

Cheers.

Titanium Silver · 10-03-2011, 06:53 PM

I am trying to make the exact same decision!

I am debating whether to buy some Blizzaks and drive the M in the winter, OR buy an old CJ Jeep or International Scout or something.

I only commute a few miles from my house, so the M will probably be okay in the winter, but I sort of want a Jeep anyways. Plus the mag chloride, salt, and sand they put on the roads out here destroys the exterior.

What are you considering for your "beater"?

ajvee · 10-03-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titanium Silver

I am trying to make the exact same decision!

I am debating whether to buy some Blizzaks and drive the M in the winter, OR buy an old CJ Jeep or International Scout or something.

I only commute a few miles from my house, so the M will probably be okay in the winter, but I sort of want a Jeep anyways. Plus the mag chloride, salt, and sand they put on the roads out here destroys the exterior.

What are you considering for your "beater"?

I am looking at a sweet 97 6 cylinder cherokee. I just came from the test drive and loved it. 5 speed too.

I am worried about the condensation due to the short trips and its detrimental effects on the engine.

spmd11 · 10-03-2011, 07:02 PM

Mini Cooper S, you all. It's fantastic run-a-bout car and a blast to drive, inexpensive to purchase used, maintain and sips the gas. We have one in our stable. Love it! Does the "dirty" work for the family. It's a go cart and mini SUV in one! (fold seats and hatch) Plus seats four!

MR///M3 · 10-03-2011, 07:27 PM

+1 on the cooper S... I picked one up last december and it is a blast and a very fun second car. On top of that it is pretty decent in the snow with appropriate tires.

ajvee · 10-03-2011, 07:33 PM

Appreciate the inputs.

Can anyone confirm the detrimental effects of short winter trips?

ajvee · 10-03-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

It's not really great for the engine, but also not something to worry about too much. You should change your oil more frequently if you do a lot of short trips in the cold. Just drive the long way to work.

This is great insight. I guess I could have bigger problems to worry about

I already change my oil either 7500 miles or every 6 months.

luis_m3 · 10-04-2011, 01:39 AM

I am very surprised on the responses so far; most ppl in this forum will tell you hell no, just drive your M3; "it's not meant to be parked" or other stuff like that.
Personally, I do have a beater for the winter, an Acura RSX. I also plan on keeping my M3 for a while so I don't really need to beat it all year round. After putting 10k miles in 4 months, it needs a break!

apecush · 10-04-2011, 09:14 AM

I'd personally not drive it on the short trips unless you planned on driving it for longer distances every couple of days. As mentioned, by not boiling off the water vapor from the oil, you are significantly shortening the life of the oil.

I'm driving mine in the winter, just not to work. I'll let the train take care of that.

1sikbmr · 10-04-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

It's not really great for the engine, but also not something to worry about too much. You should change your oil more frequently if you do a lot of short trips in the cold. Just drive the long way to work.

+1

10-03-2011, 06:46 PM	#1
ajvee Major 119 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: None iTrader: (13)	Short Winter Trips - Should I get a beater? Guys, My living situation is such that I drive about 2 or 3 times a week through stop go traffic for 2 miles to get to work. I notice with the M3, it barely warms up by the time I get to my parking spot, and this will only get worse at it gets colder. I did drive my M3 through the last winter but I had a more frequent and long commute. It will be this way for 2 years and I plan to keep my car for a long time (love the thing). Do you recommend I get a beater and store the thing through the next couple of winters? I appreciate your help with my decision. Cheers.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-03-2011, 06:53 PM	#2
Titanium Silver Four Star General 13 Rep 597 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I am trying to make the exact same decision! I am debating whether to buy some Blizzaks and drive the M in the winter, OR buy an old CJ Jeep or International Scout or something. I only commute a few miles from my house, so the M will probably be okay in the winter, but I sort of want a Jeep anyways. Plus the mag chloride, salt, and sand they put on the roads out here destroys the exterior. What are you considering for your "beater"? __________________ E92 M3 \| Jet Black \| All OEM Everything E30 M3 \| Alpine White \| Mostly OEM
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2011, 07:02 PM	#4
spmd11 Major 290 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: 2020 X3MC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (4)	Mini Cooper S, you all. It's fantastic run-a-bout car and a blast to drive, inexpensive to purchase used, maintain and sips the gas. We have one in our stable. Love it! Does the "dirty" work for the family. It's a go cart and mini SUV in one! (fold seats and hatch) Plus seats four! __________________ 2020 X3MC, 2018 Porsche Macan, 2019 X3 3.0i, 2016 981 Cayman S
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2011, 07:27 PM	#5
MR///M3 e90post veteran 58 Rep 1,375 Posts Drives: Past: '12 M3, '09 335 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: central NJ iTrader: (5)	+1 on the cooper S... I picked one up last december and it is a blast and a very fun second car. On top of that it is pretty decent in the snow with appropriate tires. __________________ 2012 Melbourne Red/Bamboo Novillo E92 M3 - ZCP, ZPP, DCT, BMW Apps, Sat Radio, Heated Seats Mods- 20" BBS LM DBK, 18" Volk TE37SL, iPE F1 Exhaust, OSS, Arkym, RD Sport, and much more... Thanks to- PYSpeed -- Morr Wheels -- OSS Designs -- iND-Distribution
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2011, 07:33 PM	#6
ajvee Major 119 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: None iTrader: (13)	Appreciate the inputs. Can anyone confirm the detrimental effects of short winter trips?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-04-2011, 01:39 AM	#8
luis_m3 Low Pro... 35 Rep 1,067 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	I am very surprised on the responses so far; most ppl in this forum will tell you hell no, just drive your M3; "it's not meant to be parked" or other stuff like that. Personally, I do have a beater for the winter, an Acura RSX. I also plan on keeping my M3 for a while so I don't really need to beat it all year round. After putting 10k miles in 4 months, it needs a break!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-04-2011, 09:14 AM	#9
apecush Lieutenant 30 Rep 521 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (2)	I'd personally not drive it on the short trips unless you planned on driving it for longer distances every couple of days. As mentioned, by not boiling off the water vapor from the oil, you are significantly shortening the life of the oil. I'm driving mine in the winter, just not to work. I'll let the train take care of that.
	Appreciate 0 Quote