Snow and a 318is

[Casey3561]

All righty, the 318is is my first rear-drive car . how does it do in snow/slippery conditions? It has 4-wheel ABS and new tires, and I'm a competent driver, but I'm curious if there's anything else I should watch for.

Reassurance? Horror stories? Anything at all?

[spiff325is]

it has limited slip differential, so you have a better chance of kicking the back end out, but makes it easier to control a drift. especially in the snow or rain

[thekid]

I have a 318 i, I had my car for about a day when I drove it in the snow. It is the first RWD car that I have owned and the only RWD car I have driven regularly. Mine did just fine in a couple inches of snow. Luckily there wasn't really any ice. Just keep it slow, get good headstarts going up hills and if you start going side ways counter steer and lift a bit if you are going slow with the pedal down. You really shouldn't have any problems, unless there is ice involved also.

[spiff325is]

lift a bit

If that means take your foot off the gas when you are starting to slide, you are half/right, that will raise the back end up and bring the back end around faster, you'd be b etter off just kepin git in a lower gear, like 2cnd, so that you dont need to use brakes or anything.

just my .02, though i know you need to slow down, taking your foot off the gas isnt always the right answer, but i understand what you saying.

[Casey3561]

So... don't drive like a moron, and it'll be OK... right? :wink

My Taurus ('94, FWD) was kind of, well, "slip-prone" in snow. I figure that if the 318 is better than that, I can drive anything. My dad suggested tossing 100# in the trunk, like it were a pickup, as that'll increase grip. Thoughts?

[Hoppy's535i]

i put wieght in my 535 because i have NO snow tires and e28s have a tendancy to ass slide. it doesnt hurt to try.

[dport]

Mine got along fine last winter. Make sure you have a all season type tire and put some weight in the trunk.

[thekid]

Originally posted by spiff325is@Sep 12 2004, 02:08 PM

If that means take your foot off the gas when you are starting to slide, you are half/right, that will raise the back end up and bring the back end around faster, you'd be b etter off just kepin git in a lower gear, like 2cnd, so that you dont need to use brakes or anything.

just my .02, though i know you need to slow down, taking your foot off the gas isnt always the right answer, but i understand what you saying.

I said if you are going slow with the pedal down, if you are in a tight right hand sweeper at 60 mph then no never lift, but if you are driving straight up a hill with it floored in second trying to make it over this wonderful snow encrusted enbankment then yes just lift a bit, or if you are doing a very low speed up hill turn, like 10-15 miles per hour, and your back starts to slide out then counter steer and lift, no problem.

[sean]

i have a 318i and i put winter tires on it last year, and it did fine, it looses grip when you start out, but that can be expected with any rear wheel drive car, you'll get used to it real fast, after the first week or so i didn't even notice too much slip or loss of control

[d3ity]

I will not lie... BMWs are generally SHIT in the snow...

Take her to a parking lot, and learn how she feels when its snowy... thats the best advice i can give you.

Personally, my 5er is getting parked this winter.

[Bear]

Any machine with lots of power and torque can be dicey in the snow. I am a real old timer and I have owned 348 cu in Chevvies as well as 427 cu in chevvies and they did not have the balance that the BMW has. I was raised in Michigan so snow was a standrd event and I seldom got stuck, easy does it in starting and stopping and you will be fine.