Alberta Winters

[ksa]

Just wondering if anyone is driving their E92's in the winter at all? I am contemplating making the switch from my W204 C63 AMG to a E92 M3 in the next week or so. Will most likely want to drive the vehicle in winter.

How does it handle? I am assuming not as bad as the C63 due to the lack of torque? What winter tires do you guys recommend and what is the optimal size?

Thanks guys, excited to get into a M3 will post details of the car later and Edmonton and Calgary folk will see a rare M3 colour shortly (1 of 1 in north America).

[JDM_CL9]

Get a set of 18" 219M wheels with Bridgestone Blizzak tires.

I think you guys use sand/rocks over there instead of salt which destroys paint (even paint protection films get eaten away). So you might want to look around to find what the best products are in terms of paint protection.

[ksa]

I am able to get the following set for $1200...

The OEM wheel style #270M
Michelin Alpin PA3

I have no knowledge of these tires, how are they?

[M3@Apex]

Those tires are what BMW supplies when you get a winter tire package from them. I haven't heard anything but good things about them. I have no first hand experience though.

[ksa]

Thanks for your input. I think I will go ahead with that set then, seems like a decent value at $1200 for rims and tires.

[bing240sx]

i dont know how anyone regularly drives a nice car like an M3 in Alberta...

the front glass is $1,600 and you have to change your glass 2 times every 3 years.

i spent $4k repainting my front end because of Ontario stone chips through the BMW certified program... you'd have to do that twice a year in alberta if you log heavy miles.

i drive an M5 on occassion in Calgary this year and i would slit my wrists if the glass cracked... it's happened to me like 4 times in my other vehicles out there.

[ksa]

Haha well because it's a car and it's meant to be driven. I drive all my cars in winter including other nicer cars. Before the M3, I drove a C63 AMG year round as well. Yea it takes a beating little bit but it's not as bad as you make it sound to be, as long as you are relatively careful. My first winter with the C63 I decided to park it and drive my Range and Escalade instead and literally after a month or so I was so bored and hated seeing the C63 just sit there that I went and got winter tires. I guess everyone is different, for me it's a car and it's meant to be enjoyed.

[M3@Apex]

I usually drive super far back from any cars and anticipate anyone who will cut in. This has spared my glass for the last 2 years. I've had to repair one chip.

But I bought a truck now so I'll be winter driving that instead.

[403blue]

You just need good winter tires..
i drove mine for a month.. then i got bored..
so i decided to park my M3 and drove my GTR for winter..
Never got stuck and it gripped to the road/snow crazy with good Winters on..

[wifesbimmer]

I would say 80% of the population in Alberta owns trucks. Trucks are amazing in snow or anything that mother nature can throw at them. Plus, I would assume that 99% of M3 owners have DD's like 403blue who seems to have a line up of amazing cars. If I were you I would just get a beater to last our 5 month winters because it may cost more to repair that beautiful paint work than buying tires, rims, and a beater.

[CSMRX7]

I don't drive a ton, but its not like this car is so special that driving it in the winter is such a terrible thing.

I have no real problem replacing the glass every two years, and good clear bra application should prevent needing to repaint as well.

Driving a beater for 5 months is hell, especially when are winters really aren't that bad.

[ksa]

Got my winter tire set on the weekend. Looking forward to the snow now! Just need to figure out the right time to do the swap! Haha. When is everyone else in AB doing the swap?

[///S55]

Originally Posted by ksa

Got my winter tire set on the weekend. Looking forward to the snow now! Just need to figure out the right time to do the swap! Haha. When is everyone else in AB doing the swap?

Definitely spotted this car at Boston Pizza in Riverbend last Friday
Colour is very unique

[ksa]

Originally Posted by ///S54

Definitely spotted this car at Boston Pizza in Riverbend last Friday
Colour is very unique

Yup, I was there with the wife having quick dinner with the in-law's and it would have to be me since this is the only one of its colour.

[swifty]

I've driven all my rwd bimmers all 4 seasons here. The m3 is actually more easier than my previous 335 due to the lack of low end torque. Also the LSD helps.

I run 265 blizzak square setup.

I agree with OP, driving a beater for 5 months is painful. Especially when you go home and see the m3 sitting there. I have access to a '13 s550 but few days with it and I'm bored. Plus it doesn't save me anything on gas either so mind as well enjoy year round.

[Taunto]

I have a 2010 Dodge Caliber - manual trans and no 3rd gear u could buy off of me for a winter beater lol

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by bing240sx

i dont know how anyone regularly drives a nice car like an M3 in Alberta...

the front glass is $1,600 and you have to change your glass 2 times every 3 years.

i spent $4k repainting my front end because of Ontario stone chips through the BMW certified program... you'd have to do that twice a year in alberta if you log heavy miles.

i drive an M5 on occassion in Calgary this year and i would slit my wrists if the glass cracked... it's happened to me like 4 times in my other vehicles out there.

Not sure where you source your glass...but seems a little steep. If you live in Alberta and you winter drive...It's inevitable that you will need to replace glass every year. Do yourself a favour and buy aftermarket. I can buy three fro the price of an OEM.

That's the reality of driving in Alberta...regardless if it is winter or summer.

[sam0329]

Just got mind replaced by Crystal Glass for $350 CAD. windshield surgeons quoted me $295+ Tax. Of course they are not oem but that's fine with me. They crack all the time anyways lol.

[ksa]

I have insurance policy on my glass cause the OEM is real expensive. So pay the $500 deductible and get the OEM glass. I am surprised that places like crystal glass and stuff carry these because when I had my C63 AMG they straight out refused me and said they had no windshield for that car. So I got that policy changes and now it seems like I might not need it if I can get these ones replaced wherever.

[FMLYSDN]

I would still rather pay 350 than a 500 deductible....I mean in the end...my experience has shown that the OEM hasn't stood up any better. Just my two cents

[apecush]

Originally Posted by ksa

I have insurance policy on my glass cause the OEM is real expensive. So pay the $500 deductible and get the OEM glass. I am surprised that places like crystal glass and stuff carry these because when I had my C63 AMG they straight out refused me and said they had no windshield for that car. So I got that policy changes and now it seems like I might not need it if I can get these ones replaced wherever.

I was quoted $700 installed for the full-load (light, rain, and moisture sensor) oem glass. You guys need to stop going to the dealer for this stuff - any glass place can get oem and install it for you. Oem brand (North American made) no-logo glass cost me a whopping $350.

Also, I drive the car year round without issue. Only precaution I take is to pressure wash the undercarriage once during winter and once in spring to minimize salt damage.

[jtz]

I've been using my E90 as a daily driver since it was new in 2011 through each winter and its help up well. I have 140k kms and am going into my 5th winter. I put a new set of Michelin Alpin Pa3 on last year beacause I was happy with the preformance of the original winter set from the dealer, which was similar. I think they were $3200 tire and style #282 rim They are also a square setup. I do alot of highway driving and have managed to keep it on the road even while hitting a couple sections of bad black ice and seeing the cars in the rear view mirror go flying off. The traction control is good for this.

I've replaced the 3m paint pro ($900) once and the windshield ($350) once. The paint is still very good (two very small chips) and the glass has one chip that I had filled in for $45. The glass is aftermarket and I am fine with that, the rain sensor has always been a little off on the light rain, on both on the oem and the aftermarket.

This winter I plan to drive my truck or wife's X3 when the roads are bad and avoid the stress of the transport trucks flying by at +120km/hr when I'm going slower with snow on the highway.