First winter with my m3....

Hello all,

I live in Colorado and it is starting to get colder here and this will be my first winter in my m3 and I'm just looking for some input on what I can expect as far as driving in the snow? I have new Nexen n3000 tires on the back but can't really afford snow tires right now! I have spent many winters driving mustang gt's in the snow. They suck but I seem to get around alright. Last winter I had a 95 318is and it wasn't too bad. Any input or comparison would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance
Ryan

If you know how to drive in snow you'll be fine. The trick (for me at least) in a RWD car like the E36 was to pay close attention to slippage, and turn traction control off. It might be more difficult in an M3 with more torque than my old 328i 4D. Even with just all-season tires I was able to get to work in 2ft+ snow (while still snowing) when everyone else there had big AWD trucks. Tires really make a world of difference, but barring that, it's up to the driver.

Also there's a joke going around that in case of snow, drive in reverse, instant FWD

Lol.... I'll have to remember that joke!!! It's definitely not my first winter with RWD. I've had several RWD cars during the winter. I do wish I had all season tires on the back though!!! I think RWD can be a lot of fun in the snow. Just hate dealing with other drivers. I had a 2001 mustang gt with well over 300 rwhp and if people were in the way and I had to poke up a hill I was usually in bad shape. Momentum is huge!!!

Originally Posted by Wop52

Lol.... I'll have to remember that joke!!! It's definitely not my first winter with RWD. I've had several RWD cars during the winter. I do wish I had all season tires on the back though!!! I think RWD can be a lot of fun in the snow. Just hate dealing with other drivers. I had a 2001 mustang gt with well over 300 rwhp and if people were in the way and I had to poke up a hill I was usually in bad shape. Momentum is huge!!!

Bingo. I was lucky that one day there weren't many people on the road, so I was able to tackle this big hill (about 500 ft elevation over 1/4 mile) by getting some speed going down and just maintaining on the climb. Pretty wild being on a highway going 30mph and still feeling like it was too fast!

i would consider myself a resonable winter driver. driving rwd cars since i could drive.but i have to put my m3 away when the ice and snow arrives. its a nightmare, no front end grip. it just follows it big heavy nose around and refuse's to go in a straght line. good grip on the back for a rwd though. drove home on the grass verg several times. i have an subaru forrestor for the winter.

It's all about tires. Summer performance tires will try and kill you when the tempatrure gets below 40F, let alone snow or ice.

The E36 is a great car in bad weather, PROVIDED you have the correct tires. If you can't afford them, you probably can't afford owning an M3...


Otherwise, dibs on some parts when you crash it...

Get some SNOW TIRES off of Craigslist. We have a 97 M3/4/A with Hancook Snow Tires all around and she drives quite safely.

I also have a 95 540/6 with Michelin Arctic Alpins all around, that I found on Craigslist for $300.00

$300.00 is a lot less than what it could ultimately cost you without Snow Tires! I have tried an E36 on the snow with summer tires and with all seasons and they suck. However, Snow tires transforms the e36 into a car that is safe and even fun in the snow!