M-Series (M1, M3, M5, M6)General M-Series Discussion - If it does not fit into a more specific M Category above, please place it in here. In addition, previously archived M-Series discussion is located in this section.
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I would venture to say you will not be able to drive it in the snow at all. My 2001 330 Coupe with Sports Package is terrible in the snow. So M3 is probably worse.
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Take a look for some more info. I guess this thing was designed by Germans to be used in the Alps! Heck, if you look closely, there are even areas on the roof which are used to attach a roof rack, AND, it has an available internal SKI BAG in Canada (not sure about the US model), which I have in my car. That alone should tell you something. Basically, if you're gonna do it,
1) get snow tires (not all season radials)
2) make sure that the plows have come through becuase the front air dam is only about 6" off the ground
3) if you really like your M3 and you live in a large city, then don't drive it in the 'snow' because I'm sure the salt will kill your car eventually.
I personally will be short-term leasing a 4x4 for the 3 months it snows here in TO and storing the car for the winter.
Get an X5 for the winter and keep you M3 nice and shiney!!!!
I don't think it'd take much to spin the wheels in any gear in the snow.... the fun drive you had before will become the most concentrated moments in your driving career (while you try not to pile your pride and joy backwards into a ditch!)
__________________ <span style='color:blue'>"So my BM makes me a flash bastard? Then I guess you're just keeping it real from the seat of your nova?"</span>
<span style='color:gray'>"...and the home of the brave..... is bravey 130bhp from a 7 litre engine? 100bhp/litre or don't bother building it!"</span>
<span style='color:red'>"Aaahh the UK; where every road is jammed, under construction, poorly maintained and unfairly policed, at least we don't get over-taxed for it........ HA HA HA!"</span>
M3 is not very good at snow because it's a FR. also the salt in the snow will kill the metal near the wheel. so like wat frw73 say, leasing a suv or 4x4 is a good way.
That pretty much goes for most cars in the snow..... unless it's a 4wd with spiked tires!
__________________ <span style='color:blue'>"So my BM makes me a flash bastard? Then I guess you're just keeping it real from the seat of your nova?"</span>
<span style='color:gray'>"...and the home of the brave..... is bravey 130bhp from a 7 litre engine? 100bhp/litre or don't bother building it!"</span>
<span style='color:red'>"Aaahh the UK; where every road is jammed, under construction, poorly maintained and unfairly policed, at least we don't get over-taxed for it........ HA HA HA!"</span>
My M will hardly ever see rain, let alone snow. Don't do it, get a clunker and park the M in the dry. Myself, I keep a Honda Passport 4 X 4, and a spare 93 S10 pickup so I always have something else to drive besides my M or 70 Mustang Mach I. Almost everyone can afford a clunker that can afford an M. Get an old front wheel drive for the snow. They are plentiful with Hondas, Toyotas, Subarus, etc..
I have a set of Dunlop Wintersport tires on a seperate set of 16in rims. I've driven my 1995 M3 through 5 Michigan winters. Forget the Bridgestone blizzacks. Those are greasy on slick roads. Dunlops are suprisingly good. I ENJOY driving my M3 in the winter.
I've driven the M in the snow this year. Not alot mind you, and I never really got it in town and getting covered with slush or that nasty... metropolitan highway...downtown kinda dirty where every car in the traffic jams at rush hour just has the same colored car : NASTY!
Everytime it got dirty , I would wash it down in the garage to make sure that stuff wasn't getting any extra time on the car. The winter wasn't that harsh and we could see the pavement for quite some time...It could get covered fast though. You could go out at night and the roads were fine, spend sometime indoors, only to return to find that there was 2 or so inches on the floor!!
Hehehe...empty suburban streets with a lil snow and a powerfull rwd car? um...fun.
anyway...back to the question. Buy winters, of course. If you don't have to over come snowbanks on a regular basis in winter....your m3 will be fine, as long as you know how to adapt your driving. Even awd can't drive like they do in summer anyway.
Of course...like it's been said previously, if you get a different car to brave the elements for it...
Something about a high performance car.... with rear wheel drive... on a slick... movable surfact.... just doesnt sound like fun... thats just me though....
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Almost everyone can afford a clunker that can afford an M. Get an old front wheel drive for the snow. They are plentiful with Hondas, Toyotas, Subarus, etc..
, I would wash it down in the garage to make sure that stuff wasn't getting any extra time on the car. The winter wasn't that harsh and we could see the pavement for quite some time...It could get covered fast though. You could go out at night and the roads were fine, spend sometime indoors, only to return to find that there was 2 or so inches on the floor!!
If you don't have to over come snowbanks on a regular basis in winter....your m3 will be fine, as long as you know how to adapt your driving. Even awd can't drive like they do in summer anyway.
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