[kel335i]

What's up fellas. I will be moving this December from Orlando, FL to Columbus, OH. Was hoping you guys could fill me in on what to expect from winter.

I know it might sound like a silly question but we don't really have winter in FL. Thus, I've never needed a "winter setup". Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

My car is an e90 lowered with H&R springs on 19 inch wheels (235,45/265,45)

[fravel]

Why on earth would you do that? I can't imagine they are paying you anywhere near enough to justify that much reduction in quality of life.

EDIT: Having said that, you're definitely going to want to step down from the 19", especially in the winter - they will get destroyed. Snow is pretty hit-or-miss here but the cold forces the use of something besides summer rubber, so I just run some Conti DWS on my stock 17" wheels for the winter.

[thompsac25]

I run my OEM 162's in the winter time on my 335i RWD. I currently have Conti DWS All Seasons on them, which will be ok, but ideally some Blizzak's would be better.

[kel335i]

Originally Posted by fravel

Why on earth would you do that? I can't imagine they are paying you anywhere near enough to justify that much reduction in quality of life.

EDIT: Having said that, you're definitely going to want to step down from the 19", especially in the winter - they will get destroyed. Snow is pretty hit-or-miss here but the cold forces the use of something besides summer rubber, so I just run some Conti DWS on my stock 17" wheels for the winter.

My fiancée had a good opportunity come up which will basically pay double what she makes now! So we can't say no to it. I do have some 18s that I can throw on. Will just have to get some new rubber for them.

Do you think there is a need to raise the car? It sits pretty low right now. Might be a good justification for a new adjustable coilover system

[kel335i]

Originally Posted by thompsac25

I run my OEM 162's in the winter time on my 335i RWD. I currently have Conti DWS All Seasons on them, which will be ok, but ideally some Blizzak's would be better.

Thanks. I have some 18s that I will probably throw on before I head up there. Just gotta get some new rubber. Will look into the Blizzak's. I've heard of them before.

[thompsac25]

Originally Posted by kel335i

Thanks. I have some 18s that I will probably throw on before I head up there. Just gotta get some new rubber. Will look into the Blizzak's. I've heard of them before.

Blizzak's are very good winter tires. I had them on my G35 coupe (RWD). Made a HUGE difference. My buddy had Blizzaks on his STi and it was EXTREMELY impressive.

No need to raise the car up. I'm on Tein STechs and I have carbon fiber splitters on and I have no problems. My G35 coupe was MUCH MUCH lower (literally 2 inches off the ground) and I made it around town still - it was much more difficult, but Ohio does a decent job of keeping the streets plowed.

[kel335i]

Originally Posted by thompsac25

Blizzak's are very good winter tires. I had them on my G35 coupe (RWD). Made a HUGE difference. My buddy had Blizzaks on his STi and it was EXTREMELY impressive.

No need to raise the car up. I'm on Tein STechs and I have carbon fiber splitters on and I have no problems. My G35 coupe was MUCH MUCH lower (literally 2 inches off the ground) and I made it around town still - it was much more difficult, but Ohio does a decent job of keeping the streets plowed.

Awe man. I was looking for an excuse lol. But that's cool. One less thing I have to spend $ on.

[thompsac25]

Originally Posted by kel335i

Awe man. I was looking for an excuse lol. But that's cool. One less thing I have to spend $ on.

LOL no sense in blowing the money if u dont have to!
I figure I'll rock my springs until the strut blows, then I'll upgrade to coils. If I even have the car long enough

Plus, even with coilovers, you wont want to have to switch ride height all the times. You would need to get an alignment/camber adjustment each time you change heights.

[J-Spec Dan]

if you have limited experience driving in snow, i highly recommend going with snow tires. all seasons (depending on the tire) are good if you have a bit more experience.

[DoctoRx]

Originally Posted by kel335i

What's up fellas. I will be moving this December from Orlando, FL to Columbus, OH. Was hoping you guys could fill me in on what to expect from winter.

It's gone be cold! Welcome to the refrigerator! I moved to OH from Orlando also.

+1 snow tires and you're good to go. I just put coils on for my e92 and plan on driving my car all winter.

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by J-Spec Dan

if you have limited experience driving in snow, i highly recommend going with snow tires. all seasons (depending on the tire) are good if you have a bit more experience.

You speak the truth.

[J-Spec Dan]

forgot to add that there are almost always FS threads for winter wheels/tires in the MI/OH/IL/IN areas.

[kel335i]

Originally Posted by thompsac25

LOL no sense in blowing the money if u dont have to!
I figure I'll rock my springs until the strut blows, then I'll upgrade to coils. If I even have the car long enough

Plus, even with coilovers, you wont want to have to switch ride height all the times. You would need to get an alignment/camber adjustment each time you change heights.

Good point!

[railesq]

Originally Posted by thompsac25

Blizzak's are very good winter tires. I had them on my G35 coupe (RWD). Made a HUGE difference. My buddy had Blizzaks on his STi and it was EXTREMELY impressive.

No need to raise the car up. I'm on Tein STechs and I have carbon fiber splitters on and I have no problems. My G35 coupe was MUCH MUCH lower (literally 2 inches off the ground) and I made it around town still - it was much more difficult, but Ohio does a decent job of keeping the streets plowed.

So I'd like to note that Columbus, the city itself, actually does a terrible job of clearing snow. Do you (OP) know where you're living? Almost every community around Columbus (Worthington, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Westerville, Dublin, Canal Winchester, etc.) do a great job. Columbus itself (like Short North area) is horrendous and you'll never see a plow.

I just picked up some Continental winters for my 17" stock wheels. Last winter I rolled around on Hankook V12s on the 17"s and while the xdrive helped a ton, I've lived in Ohio my whole life and I love going out and driving in the snow in the dead of night when no one's around, so I'd say my mileage of getting around acceptably on summer tires is not typical.

In any event, welcome! It's cold. It's grey. And in the summer, it's as humid as Florida, with none of the good parts. Sorry for your loss.

[bullet1]

Ultimately it depends on the year. Last year we got hammered with a very long very snowy season. Two years ago it barely snowed at all and was somewhat mild (30's) all winter. So it can vary quite a bit. If you have summer tires I would strongly suggest something in the winter range as traction is severely limited in the cold.

[fravel]

Originally Posted by kel335i

My fiancée had a good opportunity come up which will basically pay double what she makes now! So we can't say no to it.

Having lived in Ohio all my life I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'd tell her it was me or the job, haha.

[kel335i]

Originally Posted by railesq

So I'd like to note that Columbus, the city itself, actually does a terrible job of clearing snow. Do you (OP) know where you're living? Almost every community around Columbus (Worthington, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Westerville, Dublin, Canal Winchester, etc.) do a great job. Columbus itself (like Short North area) is horrendous and you'll never see a plow.

Hahah that sucks cause we are actually flying up tomorrow to look for a place. And we'll actually be looking in the Short North and Arena District.

[kel335i]

Originally Posted by fravel

Having lived in Ohio all my life I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'd tell her it was me or the job, haha.

Haha man we can't say no to it. It's a six figure salary and we're in our mid twenties soooo.....

It's a temporary career move that's going to set up our future. We will probably only be there for about 3 years and then move to the next place.

[kel335i]

Originally Posted by bullet1

Ultimately it depends on the year. Last year we got hammered with a very long very snowy season. Two years ago it barely snowed at all and was somewhat mild (30's) all winter. So it can vary quite a bit. If you have summer tires I would strongly suggest something in the winter range as traction is severely limited in the cold.

Let's hope for a light winter this time around then.

[railesq]

Originally Posted by kel335i

Hahah that sucks cause we are actually flying up tomorrow to look for a place. And we'll actually be looking in the Short North and Arena District.

Don't get me wrong, it's by far the best place to live (I did for 6 years), but it has some minor drawbacks. Basically stay there till you get a family, then head out to a nice suburb.

[Patel511]

I'd keep my car as is, and pick up a winter beater that you don't have to worry about if it slides off the road and into a ditch. 4wd with decent tires and you'll be fine.

[linn]

Originally Posted by kel335i

Hahah that sucks cause we are actually flying up tomorrow to look for a place. And we'll actually be looking in the Short North and Arena District.

Why those areas? Is her office located downtown?