Who has driven an F8x M3/M4 in the snow? Describe your experiences

[MThree_Forty]

Without dedicated winter tires, if you lose your momentum, you will get stuck with a little snow/slush on a minor incline. Ironically, it happened to me the morning I was driving to the dealer to put my winter set on...

With good winter tires, I haven't had a problem.

I live in Minneapolis.

[BigSky702]

I just picked up the BMW OEM winter tire package (i.e. 18s\Continental WinterContact 640M)... Will these work in snow?? Or just cold\dry pavement??

[krotondo]

Originally Posted by BigSky702

I just picked up the BMW OEM winter tire package (i.e. 18s\Continental WinterContact 640M)... Will these work in snow?? Or just cold\dry pavement??

both

[Draper]

My PA4s just showed up today, and not a moment too soon.

[twerle]

Originally Posted by Draper

My PA4s just showed up today, and not a moment too soon.

Nice view!

[Falafel Combo]

Driving in the snow is 5% tires and 95% gusto.

Also, braking distance is for sissies. And please, don't get me started on inclines. Get it? Get it ... ?

[BigSky702]

I JUST put the winter rubber on, and the temp shoots up to 72 last couple of days!!!! Grrr.. any chance this will cause damage??

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by BigSky702

I JUST put the winter rubber on, and the temp shoots up to 72 last couple of days!!!! Grrr.. any chance this will cause damage??

No, they just wear faster in warm temps and utterly suck to drive on because the compound is way softer than it was meant to be.

[longkid]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

Traction with dedicated snow tires should not be a problem. The biggest issue to me is ground clearance. I am afraid I will damage the front lip if I have to drive through the pile of snow that the plow left at the foot of the driveway. So based on that when it snows I plan on using the Cayenne.

I'm having the same concern about my front lip. This is my first winter driving f82 so I have no idea how bad is the ground clearance. The only good thing so far is the winter tires give the front lip 10+mm more clearance than it is in summer. I doubt if I need to remove it during winter....

[Wills2]

Just had my first run in today with snow and the Hankook winters I'd put on, normally I'd spec Michelin PA or Pirelli Sottozeros but I was really pleased with them, no fuss, no drama.

Little VW Up!s and X5s on summer rubber where all over the place, I just breezed past...

(whilst feeling a little smug)

[Ozzilla]

I just got my winters mounted today and it was 70 but pretty sure starting Sunday the cold weather will be here in the NE! First winter for me and I'm running Blizzaks.

[ewinter01]

1. I never recommend driving when it snows (any vehicle).
2. I never drive when there is snow on the surface.
3. I owned all wheel drive vehicles and still never drove in the snow
4. inclement weather....no matter how good of a driver you are...lots of
other drivers are not good drivers. Why incur the cost (insurance, repairs,
injury, time loss etc) when all you had to do was "sit it out"
5. Yes, the F80 M3 is a great winter time car....I have Michelin pILOT SPORT
A/Sand traverse inclimate weather just fine.
6. Yes, even with the stock summer performance tires I drove thru the entire
first winter on them...no problems.....tire temp warnings and all.
7. The M is designed to be well balanced....cat like.....with all the torq
vectoring and such...you really have to act like a fool to lose traction.


I have already spoken to BMW about how they are really missing out on sales opportunities for M products up north.....with all this "M's are no good for winter' talk

1. Instead of all the silly power sliding around track video...illustrate some
real world driving (eg1 Snow days)
2. Offer Winter Packages in northern US climates (which will include
either..dual tire or dual tire and rim options)

The reason you like this car is because its the best "all arounder" out there (winter included). I slid in my Audi S4 on light snow (very front heavy car) ....never in my M3 :0)

[gonoyaro11]

Good

[SO17]

I've just fitted a set of Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S on my 437Ms. I'm actually hoping for snow now so that I can see how they perform.

[Zsteven]

Thanks guys for all the info here. I have been considering an M3 but need to drive regularly in extremely hilly terrain (8+% grades) during all winter weather as my son skis competitively in northern New England. There are a few hills in particular where momentum is not possible because there is a 90 degree turn at the base of the hill and the grade is steep from the beginning. This thread has confirmed my fear that the car will likely have difficulty climbing in such a situation with significant snow on the road (4+ inches) even with aggressive snow tires. Unfortunately for the rest of my driving season it looks like I will probably end up in another Audi S4, although it still a very good car.

[M3 n X5M]

Originally Posted by Zsteven

Thanks guys for all the info here. I have been considering an M3 but need to drive regularly in extremely hilly terrain (8+% grades) during all winter weather as my son skis competitively in northern New England. There are a few hills in particular where momentum is not possible because there is a 90 degree turn at the base of the hill and the grade is steep from the beginning. This thread has confirmed my fear that the car will likely have difficulty climbing in such a situation with significant snow on the road (4+ inches) even with aggressive snow tires. Unfortunately for the rest of my driving season it looks like I will probably end up in another Audi S4, although it still a very good car.

Get a Golf R. It keeps up with the S4 in the dry and probably beats it in the snow. I had an R32 and it was unbelievably fun in the dry and unmatched in the snow - no Audi stood a chance to catch me. We had a couple of blizzards while I owned that car and with A/S conti dws I was fine. Save at least 20k and get more people to gawk at it, while you sip on gas.

If I buy two new cars to replace my current rides, I will get an M3 and a golf R. No question. Currently I am holding onto my M3 and X5M.

[michael3435]

I've driven my m3 in snow for 3 winters with blizzaks on it in connecticut and rhode island. never got stuck once and I cant stay home when it's bad outside (I work at a hospital). Learning how to drive in the snow is a skill to an extent that I think makes one a better overall driver. the fact that people think they need an awd car really bothers me and is more of a marketing ploy imo.

Now, if you're in the hills and are in situations where you cant get any momentum, then I wouldnt even bother with an audi or golf, etc...get something with some weight on it

[seis-speed]

Originally Posted by Zsteven

Thanks guys for all the info here. I have been considering an M3 but need to drive regularly in extremely hilly terrain (8+% grades) during all winter weather as my son skis competitively in northern New England. There are a few hills in particular where momentum is not possible because there is a 90 degree turn at the base of the hill and the grade is steep from the beginning. This thread has confirmed my fear that the car will likely have difficulty climbing in such a situation with significant snow on the road (4+ inches) even with aggressive snow tires. Unfortunately for the rest of my driving season it looks like I will probably end up in another Audi S4, although it still a very good car.

True snow tires can accomplish this task, IMO.
What did you end up doing?

[OF Hero]

Mine will be going on in a few weeks...

[SinatraM]

I live in upstate NY ,what i want to know is it able to drive in that kind of snow in the winter with proper tires ? would like to know from people who do use their M's in the winter xd

F82 DCT

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by SinatraM

I live in upstate NY ,what i want to know is it able to drive in that kind of snow in the winter with proper tires ? would like to know from people who do use their M's in the winter xd

F82 DCT

Yes. You'll be fine. I'm on Long Island. The only time I've had any issues is on very steep inclines that were unplowed (1-2 feet of snow).

[SinatraM]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

Yes. You'll be fine. I'm on Long Island. The only time I've had any issues is on very steep inclines that were unplowed (1-2 feet of snow).

what setup do you run in the winter ?