» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | | | 01-31-2005, 07:52 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,305 | Driving in the Snow I just got back from a weekend excursion over a mountain or two in southwestern virginia in the snow. Driving my ti in the snow was awesome. I don't have specific winter tires, just some all season Brigdestones, but it was perfect in the wintry mix. There was one time when i took a turn to fast on this winding mountain road where we slid into the corner a little deeper than I ould have liked but in the end it only added to the fun. The stability control really helps the car find traction even on snow and ice. We were cruising faster than all the SUVs and had no problems whatsoever. I just though I'd share this as I am new to the ti and this really amazed me. The only problem now is taking the time to wash all the grime off the car. Anybody else been out in the snow? | | | 01-31-2005, 10:19 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | My experiences have been mixed at best. I live on Long Island, and we had a big snow storm 2 weeks ago. I have noticed a common situation occur that can be quite scary. I have to jump on the service road to then jump onto the Long Island Expressway. Twice last week, I saw a small opening, and decided to jump onto the service road. There was a car coming not too far away, so I needed to make my move fast. As I made a hard right turn, and accelerated, the rear end must have been slipping on some ice. The car bogged down with a total loss of power down to a crawl. This wasn't good, since a car doing about 35 was very close behind me. Just when the wheels came free of the ice, the car suddenly leaped forward like a bat out of hell. Very scary situation, as I almost got rear ended on my own accord. Bottom line is, be careful with the Traction Control. It can be helpful, but it also can put you in a perilous situation. Quote: Originally Posted by PettitWC I just got back from a weekend excursion over a mountain or two in southwestern virginia in the snow. Driving my ti in the snow was awesome. I don't have specific winter tires, just some all season Brigdestones, but it was perfect in the wintry mix. There was one time when i took a turn to fast on this winding mountain road where we slid into the corner a little deeper than I ould have liked but in the end it only added to the fun. The stability control really helps the car find traction even on snow and ice. We were cruising faster than all the SUVs and had no problems whatsoever. I just though I'd share this as I am new to the ti and this really amazed me. The only problem now is taking the time to wash all the grime off the car. Anybody else been out in the snow? | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers Navman ICN 530 GPS BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system Magnecor 8.5mm wires M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob Burlwood Dashboard Stromung Exhaust X-brace Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar Carbonio C.A.I. 17" Rial Rims Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs Clear Corners M3 Mirrors UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines Hartge Roof Spoiler BavAuto Springs Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts SPC Front Camber Kit Reiger Hatch Spoiler BavAuto Rear Camber Kit Dinan Stage II Software Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm Engine Compartment Light Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit OEM Fire Extinguisher Da'lan Trailer Hitch Rear Sun Shade OEM Fog Light Retrofit H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links Cruise Control Retrofit On Board Computer Retrofit M3 twistie style side skirts Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 01-31-2005, 10:54 PM | #3 | TRETEN IRGENDEINES ESELS Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3,687 | I've been driving in the snow in Rhode Island and it drives fine with some all season Dunlops on the car. We got 3-4 feet of snow last weekend and it was fun driving to work the following day. Yesterday i was in Boston and i went to a storage facility where i have some of my furniture. When i was leaveing i thought it would be the perfect oppurtunity to take advantage of a big empty parking lot with a little snow still there. Lets just say i had some fun with the car. __________________ 98 Avus Blue 318 ti Active clear outs all around,stealth turning signals,blue led interior lights, 35% tinted windows,K&N air filter, 12" Kenwood Sub, MTX Thunder Amp,Alpine cd changer, Leatherz Armrest,ACS Pedals/Handbrake/FloorMats & Vitesse Tuning Carbon Fiber B-Pillars/CF Spark Plug Cover, New 16" MSW Typer 14 Rims on Goodyear Triple Treds www.myspace.com/avusblueti | | | 02-01-2005, 12:11 AM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 363 | I really enjoyed driving in the snow as well... And then BAM! before you know it you're on top of a tree and have just lost your pride and joy. Not that I am saying anything wrong with having some fun, hell I enjoy it as well... But be careful on turns in the snow, I have had the worst experience with that.... __________________ RIP Tonka Hitlerietta 08/03/04 - 01/25/05 | | | 02-01-2005, 12:27 AM | #5 | doesn't care about you. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,925 | I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50's on my car. They are incredible. I live in central Wisconsin, so we see plenty of snow all winter long. I usually drive with the traction control turned off and usually am able to drive faster then the rest of the population safely. The traction control can be very problem-some when you don't want it to be. I find it most useful on the highway when i will be at a constant speed or during long sweeping corners. I practice drifting in the snow, it is a great way to learn how your car reacts under no or low traction conditions. Plus with the cold temperatures I can usually get 10-12 psi from the supercharger, which adds even more fun to the mix. I am really looking forward to installing the LSD and manual transmission for snow driving/drifting next year!! __________________ '99 Dinan M3 | | | 02-01-2005, 06:43 PM | #6 | Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 12 | It's all about snow tires! I live in northwest Ohio and we just got hammered for the past few weeks with snow. I have my original set of rims laced up with Firestone Winterfire's and they ROCK! Snow tires are meant to be spun in order to fling the snow out of the tread so the tire can churn down and grip the surface undernieth. So, I just turn the TC off and let them eat. I was going through snow deep enough to hear my exhaust sizzling the snow, but my ti just kept on going. The best car I've ever driven in the snow. Nate | | | 10-30-2011, 12:01 AM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Philly Posts: 605 | first time experiencing snow with the ti old thread but yeah.. this my first winter driving the ti in the snow, in october.. i went to an open parking lot a practiced driving a bit with a friend, trying to learn how to maneuver slipper situations..and maybe some 101 drifting practice i went back out later in the evening and got stuck quite a lot because of the hills around here.. not to mention i live on a huge hill and at least managed to get my car partially up the driveway, with a few takes. Last edited by geetarspaz; 10-30-2011 at 12:18 AM. | | | 10-30-2011, 12:20 AM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | A lot depends on tires. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti 2003 MINI Cooper S 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 10-30-2011, 12:25 AM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Philly Posts: 605 | i've got 225/50/R16 's. pretty good amount of traction left on them | | | 10-30-2011, 12:31 AM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Potomac Falls VA DMV Posts: 1,794 | Are they all season? Summer? Snow? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Im guessing im the youngest member on here with a S52 power'ed Ti at 16 years old! | | | 10-30-2011, 12:33 AM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Philly Posts: 605 | i believe all season. definitely not snow tires. | | | 10-30-2011, 01:57 AM | #12 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | Quote: Originally Posted by geetarspaz i believe all season. definitely not snow tires. | Do yourself a favor and pickup a set of 15" steel wheels and get some snow tires. All Seasons are just trade offs for all seasons. And I'd get narrower tires. Winter is no time to be making a fashion statement. Don't let this happen to you. http://www.318ti.org/steven/ouch/ __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti 2003 MINI Cooper S 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 10-30-2011, 02:05 AM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Philly Posts: 605 | Yeah that's what I've heard. I see the winter tires on Craigslist often for pretty cheap so it's probably worth it! | | | 10-30-2011, 03:44 AM | #14 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Scranton/Wilkes-barre area PA Posts: 454 | i had a hard time getting home today. I didnt have my snow tires on yet though and i got stuck on the last hill about 20 yards from my road. i made it up the other three hills though fml lol MY dad had to come pull me up the hill. But yeah i had snow tires last season no problem at all. i also had 2 sandbags in the trunk lol like 8 buck at home depot for the two. definitely worth it if you plan on driving your ti all winter. __________________ ***Derek*** ^^Lola^^ Pioneer radio/ Pioneer 6-Disk CD Changer/ JBL 601.1 Grand Touring Amplifier/ Bilstein Sport shocks/ Bilstein e36sedan springs/ Green LED Courtesy Lights Accident Counter: 3... | | | 10-30-2011, 05:40 PM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nj Posts: 120 | my car is pretty amazing , i was responding to fire dept calls during the storm in nj, Blizzak + LSD differential +200 lbs on rear good to go! | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |