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hey whats your experience with bmw's in the snow
i have a 2002 bmw 325i and today was the first time i drove my car in the snow, i turned on the traction control and it was running great, but there wasn't that much snow maybe like 2 inches up where i lived and less than an inch in the bronx
If you are going to be in real snow, get snow tires and you shouldn't have any issues. Otherwise just be mindful that traction control can only work with what traction is available, and all-season or summer tires don't offer much when its cold and snowy.
As was mentioned, and as with any car, proper tires are the key. No matter what else the car has going on, only the tires make contact with the surface and if they aren't up to the task, the whole car isn't up to the task.
I have snows for the '02 325i Sport I have, and it's fine. The E38 740iL has summer tires and snow is not its friend. I was asked if I have snow tires for it, and I said, "essentially, yes, as they are mounted on the Range Rover."
As the BMW manual says about traction control (and DSC): "Vehicles equipped with traction control are still subject to the laws of physics."
Summer performance tires turn the car into a hockey puck in snow.
I learned this first hand a couple years ago in my GTO. I took it out the first night it snowed, and realized quickly there wasn't much point in trying to drive it. Even in really cold, dry weather, like now when it's in the teens to 30's, the tires give up grip much more quickly then in warmer weather. The HP boost from the cold dry air isn't helping, but it is fun on the highway.
My Mark VIII with all season performance tires and traction control was great in snow. I had no problem getting around.
Fortunately (for driving) we don't get a lot of snow here, and my pickup does a decent job of getting around.
Summer performance tires turn the car into a hockey puck in snow.
Hahaha! The first winter after switching my 740iL from the stock 16" all seasons to the 19" Pirelli P Zero Rossos, I was out driving home from work when it started snowing. Since it was cold and dry, the snow started sticking and making the road white. As I pulled up to a light, the snow was MAYBE an eighth of an inch of dusting. Light went green and I gave the car throttle and it just sat there. The engine didn't even noticeably rev up, but the traction control light started flashing. Essentially it was slippery enough that the traction control kicked in and killed the throttle. I had to turn the traction control off to get moving. Once moving it was OK, however. But it's not happy with snow...
Hahaha! The first winter after switching my 740iL from the stock 16" all seasons to the 19" Pirelli P Zero Rossos, I was out driving home from work when it started snowing. Since it was cold and dry, the snow started sticking and making the road white. As I pulled up to a light, the snow was MAYBE an eighth of an inch of dusting. Light went green and I gave the car throttle and it just sat there. The engine didn't even noticeably rev up, but the traction control light started flashing. Essentially it was slippery enough that the traction control kicked in and killed the throttle. I had to turn the traction control off to get moving. Once moving it was OK, however. But it's not happy with snow...
aw it's cute
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Once moving it was OK, however. But it's not happy with snow...
