Winter driving

[C_Dogg]

I currently have the Michelin performance tires on my 330CiC. We have just been dumped on with 6 inches of fresh snow. Obviously I will not drive the 330.
What do you guys do who live in a heavy snow area? And what tires do you use, and is it still practical to drive in these conditions?
Tnx in advance,
Stan

[323imankiks]

I still drive my car i have 15 inch factory aluminums with all season tires so far it has been good we just received about a foot of snow in the midwest. My car gets around ok. If you want to drive your car buy 15 inch steel rims from tire rack and some blizzaks tires these tires are great in snow.

[CYBER PETE]

I've never drivin a rear wheel drive vehicle before so I don't know weather I would drive in those conditions.

I live in Buffalo and I drive a lot so if I do get a BMW (in the next 2 weeks I'll know for sure) I'm going to get a 325xi so I can have all wheel drive.

If you do go out throw some sand bags in the trunk.

[318ti]

You'll look at where I'm from and say "what the hell does he know about winter driving!", lol.

Actually I learned from driving alot between Dallas and St Louis during the winter months, and have probably 2,000+ unplowed ice miles under my belt by now.

Snow is different from ice. It's much more forgiving. I would avoid driving a rear-wheel drive car on ice without putting ALOT of weight in the trunk/backseat areas. Concrete Blocks, sandbags, or concrete bags. Remember, you MUST keep alot of weight over those drive wheels! Make sure your rear tires have good tread, too.

The go out in a vacant parking lot, and deliberately break her loose a few times, so you know what the limits are, and how to react and recover from it. You will handle the minor breaks much calmer if you are confident you can recover. Remember, ALWAYS turn your steering wheel in the direction your backend is headed when it breaks loose, and NEVER apply brakes when this event occurs. Tap or pulse your brakes (ABS may do that for you, btw), only after you've straightened out. When going uphill, never and I mean NEVER come to a full stop on an incline, as you will just slide backward downhill no matter how much gas you give her. Everybody (with any sense) "California stops" stop signs and red lights on inclines on icy roads.

[323imankiks]

perhaps a little weight will not hurt however i believe bmws have DSL
Dynamic stability Control since we have had a foot of snow and driveing with this feature my rear does not swing out but under control and there is a significant difference with this option i like it alot with traction control of course. haveing snow tires on all four will make a huge difference. blizzaks or even dunlops will work great

[C_Dogg]

Thanks for all of the tips and pointers. I turn in my current lease in 10 days and will put the BMW on the road. Hopefully the weather will be kinder by then!!! I like the idea of winter tires. Our winters have been mild for the past few years, and now our luck has run out! This one has been pure hell so far.
Thanks again.
Stan

[328couper]

I have found that the only remedy to the snow is to stay off the roads, RWD cars (for all of us who cannot cough up the dough for the Xi) even with traction control all spin in the snow and ice. Unless you are looking to practice drifting, there is no answer.
:stormzap:

[bjchacha]

Last year I left the all-season radials on during the winter. Many times, I couldn't make it up even gradual hills, and I slid all over the place.

This year I put on 4 real snow tires. What a difference! It's as good as any 2-wheel drive car I've had FWD or RWD. The tires are noisy, and you give up a bit of grip in the dry, but the advantage when the weather hits makes those more than fair tradeoffs.

I don't believe weight over the rear wheels would make a significant difference. I now consider snow tires to be indispensable.

[eagerowl]

I bought some Blizzak LM-22's this winter and they work great. This is the first rear wheel drive car that I've owned and was really concerned about Minnesota winters but with these tires and the traction control it's really no problem.

The LM-22's are a more high performance version of winter tire. They have stiffer sidewalls and the compound isn't as soft as the Blizzak WS-50's. This means less noise and better dry performance at the expense of some grip on ice...but it's a good compromise. I've yet to get stuck or loose control with these tires and the DSC...and I drive aggressively in the snow.