winter driving

[ikos]

has anybody driven the M3 in the snow, obviously with snow tires?

if I get the M3 it would be my only car all year round. how many of you are in the same situation?

wondering if it's a good idea?

thanks!

[Bikerjoy]

Originally Posted by ikos

has anybody driven the M3 in the snow, obviously with snow tires?

if I get the M3 it would be my only car all year round. how many of you are in the same situation?

wondering if it's a good idea?

thanks!

Probably not the best idea ever, but I share your situation, I can not keep two cars.

I drove a 3.0 Z4 during two winters (with hard top), in northern Sweden basically with snow on the ground for 4 months straight. It worked OK, but no more than that.

The only advice I can give is to get a set of snow tires / wheels MUCH narrower in the rear than 265. If your wheels are too wide, they may just "float" on top of sleet and snow, making for a very scary ride.

[Radiation Joe]

I'm selling my AWD RS6 and going to RWD only. I just spent two winters in Minnesota and believe that tires are the most important part with regard to winter driving. AWD makes it even better, but I'm sure I'll be much happier with my new M3 and winter tires.

I'm going to run 245/40-18 Michelin PA2 winter tires all the way round on the M3. I would run narrower, but I have the 245s left over from the Audi. 225/45-18 would be best in my opinion.

[finnbimmer]

I did my first e92 M3 test drive this january in finnish winter, the car was running 235/45-18 Nokian winter tyres. I was surprised how good M3 was in snow, no problems at all.

[Bikerjoy]

Originally Posted by finnbimmer

I did my first e92 M3 test drive this january in finnish winter, the car was running 235/45-18 Nokian winter tyres. I was surprised how good M3 was in snow, no problems at all.

235s weren't on the stock 9.5" wide wheels in the back were they? I would think that would look funny, if even possible?

[revmmm]

I am also from TO and I will be driving my M3 in the winter. Of course if it is a really bad storm I will likely park it in the garage and take a cab or the train, but not due to limitations on the car rather than all the other bad drivers out on the roads that you cannot trust. I have driven RWD BMW's for 6 winters now and have not a problem. Key thing is to get good snow tires (not all season), as the DSC works really well. You will find that in order to fishtail and have some fun you will have to turn the DSC off.

AWD is great but it only helps you accelerate, it does not help you brake or corner. I am sure you will be fine with just the M3.

[finnbimmer]

Originally Posted by Bikerjoy

235s weren't on the stock 9.5" wide wheels in the back were they? I would think that would look funny, if even possible?

No they were not. The car I drove had specific M3 winter wheels style 270M

[ikos]

sounds good guy's, thanks for info!

I was thinking about getting Bridgestone Blizzaks or Michelin PA2's.

[valeram]

Just get a good winter tires and you will be fine.

[positiveions]

I can attest to what RadiationJoe is saying. My friend used to own a 1986 5000 CS quattro. With AWD, it is awesome to drive in the snow. With RWD, it is more of a mastering the snow on roads;but with narrow, and snow tires, you'll be fine.

Radiation JOe, how much are you selling your RS6 for?

[IWearScrubs]

I am also going to have to drive this car year round. Living in MN and having one car means it will see snow and storms.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

I would run narrower, but I have the 245s left over from the Audi. 225/45-18 would be best in my opinion.

Great news, because I had planned on using my e92 335i winter wheels and tires for my //M, and they are 225s/45-17.

[valeram]

I was using my E92 335 last winter here in OH and it was really bad. Using a summer performance tires is a recipe for disaster to happen. Four years before that. I was driving my B5 S4 and also using a summer performance tires during winter. It was lightly snowing and the AWD still didn't prevent the car to do a 720 degrees turn. The bottom line is: get a good set of winter tires. THat is what I will do this coming winter season.

[valeram]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

Great news, because I had planned on using my e92 335i winter wheels and tires for my //M, and they are 225s/45-17.

Will it fit and have you tried it? I am still looking for a set and tire rack still don't have until this coming fall. Thanks.

[Bikerjoy]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

Great news, because I had planned on using my e92 335i winter wheels and tires for my //M, and they are 225s/45-17.

Will 17" fit over the rotors?

[Tut]

I drove my old 545 for 4 Winters w/dedicated wheels+snow tires and the car handled great, considering that I drove an A6 2.7T before that which was awesome in the snow. Both Tire Rack and my dealer recommended staggered tires and wheels to clear the brakes in the M3, and to stay with 18" tires. None are available at Tire Rack yet. I am sure the M3 would handle great with good snow tires. Another piece of advice, buy a dedicated set of wheels for your snow tires because it's cheaper (on the long run) than mounting the snows on the original wheels at the dealership. Apparently, they charge more for dismounting and mounting performance tires. Hope that helps.

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by eatrach73

... Radiation JOe, how much are you selling your RS6 for?

It's the least expensive CPO car for sale in the country. It's in great shape, but she's been driven 87k miles and the paint shows it. Looks awesome from 10 feet, though.

Linky - Listed for $24.5k

[the_stranger]

what are the OEM winter tires and wheels available from BMW for the M3?

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by IWearScrubs

I am also going to have to drive this car year round. Living in MN and having one car means it will see snow and storms.

I just spent the last two winters just west of Minneapolis (Monticello).

I'd talk to the dealership about running different oil if you're going to drive year-round in Minneapolis. Unless you have heated garages at home and work, your oil will turn to sludge. With my e46, if I left the car outside for more than an hour or two in single digit weather, the motor would make all kinds of terrible sounds on start-up. I don't think the VANOS likes having that thick goop pumped into it.

But other than the temperature, I don't see any problem driving the M3 year round in Minnesota. Heck, its dry and sunny most of the winter anyway. You can drive her pretty hard without worry. I recommend the Michelin PA2 or PA3. They are great in super cold climate. I don't think they are as good in the snow as some other tires, but the ride and handling are superior for the cold, dry Minnesota winter.

[positiveions]

Radiation JOe, what an ageless body. I still love the RS6. it is a sleeper. I wish i can afford the maintenance on one, I would have bought one.

[elcarajo]

I run normal-width studded Pirelli Winter Carvings on stock 17" wheels on my 330i, and it works brilliantly. I feared road noise and ragged handling with the studs on that car but no problems at all, and there was no snow that slowed us down. I was home through five drops of over a foot, and I toured New Brunswick in all road conditions without any drama.
That said, I have to buy a truck anyway for utility purposes, so I'll probably just use that when the roads go south and leave the M3 unstudded.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by valeram

Will it fit and have you tried it? I am still looking for a set and tire rack still don't have until this coming fall. Thanks.

My mechanic and I are DAMN curious to find out. So when my baby gets here, we are immediately trying to see if they fit, we think they just might. If they do, great. If not, I will be selling mine and just grabbing a cheap set of 18s. Will keep everyone updated!