How well does the m3 do in the snow? I moved from texas to virginia, and was not sure if i need to do anything to make the car better prepared for the snow. I know last yr i had to drive one day in some snow, and i found it easier to turn the DSC off. But is it worth winter tires? or should i plan another way to get to work?
m3 in the snow?
- Thread starter sameermd1
- Start date
Yup I'd get a good set of winter tires (ie blizacks) or a good set of all seasons. I'm in southern PA so we get the same kind of winter weather. Since it doesnt snow every day around here, winter tires will wear down very fast, and they usually suck in anything BUT snow. All seasons generally keep your car still capable, but you'll get through snow which is what is important. I had an 88 325is with a limited slip (E30's are known to be extremely bad in snow), and with the crappy cooper all seasons I had, I made it through the past winter fine - even better than most most suv's.
Honestly, I found it easier to put the car into a controlled slide when making turns - that way I wouldnt get a surprise and have the back end slip out and then loose control. So yes, turning off DSC would probably make it easier believe it or not.
Good luck!!
Honestly, I found it easier to put the car into a controlled slide when making turns - that way I wouldnt get a surprise and have the back end slip out and then loose control. So yes, turning off DSC would probably make it easier believe it or not.
Good luck!!
Snow tires are a must. We got about 4 inches in Boston a few weeks ago and I could drive my car on flat roads (DSC was hard at work, but performed perfectly) but going up a hill or getting out of my driveway (somewhat sloped) was literally impossible. The back end was slipping all over the place at the slightest contact with snow. [thumbd]
I do not believe an M3 will handle like any other rear wheel drive car in the snow for two reasons: (1) The M3 has a major offset front to rear; and (2) the stock tires are purely summer tires. I have a set of OEM 18" wheels mounted with Michelin Alpins. I am dealing with the offset by running 245/40/18 on all fours. I only plan to use my M3 in the snow when I have to. My commute to work is only 3 miles. I have a Jeep Liberty 4x4 that is my true snow vehicle. If you are doing some serious winter driving with your M3, you may want to think about 17" wheels. I researched after market wheels for two months before purchasing my winter set of used OEM 18"s. Good Luck! The Offset on the M3 is radical: 47mm front and 26mm rear. All the after market setups I found had offset issues, and I am not keen on spacers.
if the temps drop below 40F you need snows. your nice and sticky summer tires will be hard as a puck, you know how well pucks slide around on ice.
here's the big issue that i've dealt with, and i'm still dealing with: while having winters do give me the security of having one, i got performance winters, (mich alpin pa2s.) which does better dry driving at some expense of snow/ice traction. i got them because it really dosn't snow all that much around here, however, when it drops, it just dumps on us. (past 2-3 years anyway) but is cold all winter long, so i had to go w/ snows, just to keep my traction.
snows are only rated good for 2-3 seasons, so that's quite an investiment, but so are your high perf summers. this way, you'll extend the life of both by changing every season.
also, i have to disagree w/ eric on the A/S tires to some degree. i used to drive around in an eagle talon w/ awd, with crappy A/S "high perf" tires. it sucked in the cold. since "high perf" compunds froze up quicker than the temp needles, it had no traction in the cold. i had quite a few spinouts in that car. however, i did some reading on tirerack's user reviews, and got a descent A/S for it last winter. it was much better, but the point is: not all A/S tires are created equal. and don't just blindly put faith in it because it is A/S. also because A/S can also mean all around sucky, it's not hte best tires to keep on for your high performing m3 in the summer months. compromises all around, and that's never good on a high perf ride imo.
here's the big issue that i've dealt with, and i'm still dealing with: while having winters do give me the security of having one, i got performance winters, (mich alpin pa2s.) which does better dry driving at some expense of snow/ice traction. i got them because it really dosn't snow all that much around here, however, when it drops, it just dumps on us. (past 2-3 years anyway) but is cold all winter long, so i had to go w/ snows, just to keep my traction.
snows are only rated good for 2-3 seasons, so that's quite an investiment, but so are your high perf summers. this way, you'll extend the life of both by changing every season.
also, i have to disagree w/ eric on the A/S tires to some degree. i used to drive around in an eagle talon w/ awd, with crappy A/S "high perf" tires. it sucked in the cold. since "high perf" compunds froze up quicker than the temp needles, it had no traction in the cold. i had quite a few spinouts in that car. however, i did some reading on tirerack's user reviews, and got a descent A/S for it last winter. it was much better, but the point is: not all A/S tires are created equal. and don't just blindly put faith in it because it is A/S. also because A/S can also mean all around sucky, it's not hte best tires to keep on for your high performing m3 in the summer months. compromises all around, and that's never good on a high perf ride imo.
Yeah, you do have to keep in mind that summer tires aren't even supposed to be used below 40 degrees F. There is a significant traction loss that you will definitely feel if you try to drive the car hard.
The best thing to do is to get snow tires. You'll have the best traction in the snow and there are some snow tires out there that offer surprisingly good performance in the dry. Tires such as the Blizzak LM-22's were specifically designed for high-performance RWD Coupes. They offer great traction in the snow, without compromising dry-road handling much (compared to other snow tires).
The best thing to do is to get snow tires. You'll have the best traction in the snow and there are some snow tires out there that offer surprisingly good performance in the dry. Tires such as the Blizzak LM-22's were specifically designed for high-performance RWD Coupes. They offer great traction in the snow, without compromising dry-road handling much (compared to other snow tires).
