zero_to60

thankfully never drove my E36 M3 in the snow - judging by how much of a handful it was in the wet.....ice and snow, no thanks

Mmmmm

Don't have any problems in the snow, car is an M3 on 225/40 and 255/35 conti's.

In the snow so far the traction has been fine, grip is surprisingly good. Just leave the traction control on, put the power down progressively and the car pulls very cleanly with no slip even under reasonable acceleration.

With the traction control off give the throttle a blip and the car can do donuts at 4000-4500 rpm in first, even then reduce the revs and the tyres will grip again very quickly.

Even on our drive which is quite steep and gets some ice at night, the car pulls up it quite easily.

I seem to remember reading that the old pirelli P6/7s despite being sport tyres were actually designed for snow as well, that they were designed so that the treads would fill up and that snow on the tyres would grip the snow on the road.

MattOz

Mmmm,

Have found the same with the M5. Keep it sensible and it's fine. Use more than 3500 rpm and it'll spin up the rears and step out. just a question of being light footed. That's on 245/40/18 and 275/35/18 tyres too.

Matt

BTW if you need some tyres for your M3 I have some nearly new (1000 mile) Bridgestone RE040's. 4 rears and 2 fronts. Make me a sensible offer!

beemerboy

What you have is a living nightmare...

Been driving halfway to work, down the A127, and i've never been so scared.
The slightest blip on the throttle sends my backend sliding down the road camber.
any sudden braking results in the abs, just locking and releasing my wheels, with NO loss of speed!!!!
WTF

Can afford the excess if i do plough it into anyone either!!!

might buy a 1967 mini 950 instead.

Any other ideas??

BB

Edited to say happy new year to everyone!!!


[Edited by beemerboy - 1/8/2003 3:21:06 PM]

skiddus_markus

I'd have been p**ed off if you'd overtaken me too,it can be pretty dangerous doing that.When the car in front has virtually no control,the last thing they need to be worrying about is someone coming past.Maybe a little more patience in the winter conditions?

[Edited by skiddus_markus - 1/8/2003 5:06:03 PM]

workshy_fopp

si325i

Keep taking the drugs mate

[Edited by workshy_fopp - 1/9/2003 11:50:56 AM]

MGJohn

si325i


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RWD is better in snow than FWD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ever wondered why BMW's only decent showing in the BTCC was during those drier seasons when FWD had less of an advantage? During wet races watch those beemers go .... all over the place ..... entertaining though even with decent drivers at the wheel .... but 50/50 balance and all that other BMW advertising malarkey .... Oh, yeah .... LOL

Consider this: With RWD cars under power, except when the front wheels are pointing straight ahead, isn't there some stress on those front wheels to make them still want to continue straight ahead even though the driver is trying to steer round a bend?
Some people are determined to get it wrong .... and when conditions are a bit iffy, the evidence is all around .... DOH!

Conversely, with FWD cars in any conditions, the engine power is being directed in line with where the driver is steering ..... be that straight ahead or round a bend.

Yes, but F1 cars are all RWD so it MUST be superior ... stands to reason. If so please explain why even Rainmaster M.Schumacher himself has on occasion helplessly carried straight on despite desperate attempts to steer the car. I believe AWD, 4WD and maybe even FWD cars are not allowed in F1 .... I could be wrong on that though.

Few years back, following a sharp shower just before sunrise on an otherwise very cold clear sky night, the roads in Gloucestershire were all sheet ice. Except in the record breaking 62-63 big-freeze winter, I've never experienced such icy conditions. One near new 5 series slowly slid down the road camber and tipped into the ditch. I stopped and watched the whole process. The look on the Driver's face was priceless and seemed to suggest ... It's a BMW, this should not be happening. My humble FWD car allowed me to safely continue arriving at work about 15 mins later than usual. I lost count of the abandonned or damaged cars that exceptional morning.

DANGER ... don't believe all the hype you read about cars .... some of it can be very misleading and that fellow roadusers is the danger for us all.....




[Edited by MGJohn - 1/9/2003 8:21:57 PM]