My '97 328i is so shitty in the snow, I might as well roller blade home than drive it, even then I'd probabl;y be safer. What tips do you guys have for making it better in the snow (besides not driving it) i.e. bricks or sand bags in the trunk. Also what are some really good snow tires for it, and I was thinkin that I should only purchase 2 (just for the rear wheels) is this true?
Last year I couldn't dare drive the car in any sort of snow, but this fall I put on a new set of Continental Contitouring Contact tires (all season) and the ride in snowy/slushy weather has increased dramatically. Granted I do safe speeds only and wait for a plow or two to come by, but it's not scary or impossible to drive.
I feel your pain, I haven't been able to drive my car. It's in the shop right getting snow tires put on. Were are supposed to get 6-8 inches of snow tonight. I will let you know my impression of the car with snow tires on(I also have a 97 328is).
Sandbags and lots of un-shifting heavy stuff in the trunk helps. Stuff that wont slide around and cause a weight transfer and make the situation EVEN WORSE. Place it as far from the front as you can to put even more weight on the rear wheels.
Helps out with the rear traction, just don't take turns too hard or you'll get tail happy with a LOT of momentum.
Well so far I have only driven in the snow twice. Was in the past week and all I did was but some bags in the trunk. $0 pounds each or so I think. Yeah just try to drive slowly and build up a bit of speed before hills don't wanna get stuck part way up or you might not get up, well at least that has been my experience with stock semi-bald tires.
I feel your pain.... :banghead ....I have a 92 325i and for 12 winters in Canada I suffered through all season tires, with all of the side slipping, now this year my wife insisted on winter tires because she's using the car more than I am. We bought 4 Michelin X ones..... :thumbs .....and it's like driving a new car in the snow and ice. I could never believe that winter tires could make that much of a difference, and when it gets really cold they don't turn into hockey pucks. Spend the money for piece of mind :driving .
Yes, winter tires make a world of difference. They are a good investment, and they should last you a while since you only use them for a short time out of the year.
i run michelin x-ice tires all aroungd and they do great in the colorado snow. The reason i chose them was because they had a real similar tread pattern to the Nokian Haakkepeliitas. I hear those are the best snow tires for bimmers so i decided to get something similar for a lot less. Overall the snow performance is great but they dont grip very well in the corners and are low speed rated for the days of which there is no snow on the ground. Hope this helps.
Blizzak ws-50's are the best snow tire I've ever had. Only problem is they suck on dry pavement (soft ride). But you'll never worry in the snow. I currently run all seasons because here in the Boston areas they usually clear the snow pretty quickly. If you live in high snow area like Vermont, WS-50 is what to get IMO.
Bad-ass move of the winter: I'm following behind some fella in a FWD car, about 150 ft. back, and suddenly I see his tail powerslide behind him on a bend in the road. I slow down as much as possible, take the turn, know what's coming... pure black ice... pull a 180 and end up facing the opposite direction in the other lane. It would've been much cooler had I done it on purpose.
I was cheap and put the cheapest snow tires I could find on my car, Copper Wintermasters. For $50 snow tires, I was amazed at the difference. I used to park my car when ever we got more than an 1" or 2" of snow on the ground. Now I look forward to 12" storms.
The traction control works really well to, better than any other car I've riden in. I have a hard time to get the ass loose in corners with it on. It's a diferent story with it off though.
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