[tom619]

My god I had a nightmare with my E90 today.

I live in Glasgow and there's been heavy snowfall. I got about about a mile away from work before my car just started sliding about and I couldn't climb uphill for squat!

Ended up parking and calling for recovery help!!

How on earth do you drive these cars in icy/snowy conditions?

[macck]

Winter tyres problem solved.

[AlanYoro35i]

winter tyres.

[rhysh1990]

Or just don't drive it 😊

[Hibbyfor]

Do the tyres really make that much of a difference? I'm from around the same area as Tom and there's some snow, not as bad as I've dealt with before but I've gave up trying to drive in it, it's shocking and that's with brand new rear tyres, not snow tyres granted but none the less any hint of the white stuff and these cars are useless.

[macck]

Originally Posted by Hibbyfor

Do the tyres really make that much of a difference? I'm from around the same area as Tom and there's some snow, not as bad as I've dealt with before but I've gave up trying to drive in it, it's shocking and that's with brand new rear tyres, not snow tyres granted but none the less any hint of the white stuff and these cars are useless.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by Hibbyfor

Do the tyres really make that much of a difference? I'm from around the same area as Tom and there's some snow, not as bad as I've dealt with before but I've gave up trying to drive in it, it's shocking and that's with brand new rear tyres, not snow tyres granted but none the less any hint of the white stuff and these cars are useless.

Once you've used winter tyres in icy/snow covered roads you realise just how poor normal tyres are in comparison.

Not driving in bad conditions is best option, but my job demands I can get to work 24/7 regardless of the weather. A few winters ago when we had settled snow winter tyres allowed me to take the back roads to work whilst everyone else was stuck in massive traffic jams, and than to get home again when many had to spend a night sleeping at work

Though I've managed 10 years+ of driving without winter tyres before, I wouldn't be without them now between Nov-March. I've even fitted them to our FWD Civic. It's not just about getting going, winter tyres also help you stop in a much more controlled manner....Having winter wheels also gave me an excuse to buy a set of 'summer' alloys

[Hibbyfor]

That's me told

Granted I've been spoiled when it comes to snow as I've never been without four wheel drive going right back to having a Lancia Integrale, this is my first two wheel drive for over 25 years but by god it's terrible

[Jules59]

Originally Posted by tom619

My god I had a nightmare with my E90 today.

I live in Glasgow and there's been heavy snowfall. I got about about a mile away from work before my car just started sliding about and I couldn't climb uphill for squat!

Ended up parking and calling for recovery help!!

How on earth do you drive these cars in icy/snowy conditions?

Do you have run flats?
My 330D had run flats and these had terrible grip as soon as the temp dropped below 6-8 C . I changed to normal tyres and things got much better and having had winter tyres in the past on other vehicles I also got a set of winter tyres too. I have no trouble driving in inches of snow - you can stop too.

[mob17]

It's a rear wheel drive car with non-winter tyres. I'm sure you'd have problems with other makes with this combo too. Front wheel drive does help a bit but you'd have the same problem with the tyres.

Just out of interest, how come we don't see any snow chain users in the UK? In Europe they are used all the time. At around £150 for a pair they are cheaper than winter tyres, and i suspect more long lasting?

Not saying have them on all the time but for the odd week or so when it's snowing.

[IanS100]

+1 Winter tyres

Snow chains are only for deep snow when you're tyres wouldn't reach the tarmac whereas we more typically get lighter snow & slush, very slippy, but you really wouldn't want to be bouncing around in a set of snow chains.

[jackstrath]

Even the sweeds say winter tyres before 4wd

[SteveC]

Snow chains only work on hard packed snow where there's something for them to dig into. On straight tarmac they're a nightmare. Perfect for getting around an alpine village, you really wouldn't want to drive far on chains

My 330d on Conti winter tyres handily outperformed my daughter's Audi TT on summer tyres in terms of traction, turning and braking. On summer tyres the car had absolutely no traction whatsoever in snow. My X5 on summer runflats was a complete nighmare. Would climb walls on its winters

Horses for courses...its not the car, its the tyres. High performance in summer, zero performance in snow and ice

[m20b25]

+1 for winter tyres.

I got caught in some snow on boxing day in sheffield with Goodyear Assy2 and I expected the worst. But, they got me home. Passed 5 front wheel drive cars on a hill which were stationary and spinning but when it got steep (the hill to Manor Top from the Gleadless side) I needed a push. On the flat and a slight gradient it did the job although winter tyres would make all the difference and be safer.

[Pumper]

Most of the mainland Europe (other than South states of course) has a ban on summer tyres in winter months. Not sure why that's not the case in UK.

[Mani59]

A bit late this year, but time for the traditional 1er snow video:

[Waspo]

Originally Posted by tom619

..............................

How on earth do you drive these cars in icy/snowy conditions?

Move to the English Rivera (South Coast)

[mob17]

Cheers for the explanation on snow chains chaps. Makes sense now.

What about snow socks? For the times you get stuck?

[Somerset Jim]

Originally Posted by mob17

Cheers for the explanation on snow chains chaps. Makes sense now.

What about snow socks? For the times you get stuck?

I've always thought snow socks are a good idea in the uk. They don't take long to fit in comparison to chains and don't damage your tyres like chains do when you get off the snow and on to the black stuff again.

[ArsE92]

I got stuck in this a couple of years ago. The M6 was blocked due to jack-knifed trucks, and it took us 11 hours to get from Edinburgh to Warrington:



My car performed fine with 19" wheels and OEM RE050 run-flats (at the time), and of course careful application of throttle!



Admittedly it wasn't easy at times and winter tyres would have helped.

[tom619]

Thanks for all your replies you've been very helpful.

I think I'll be investing in some winter tyres, as I saw many other bmws and mercs overtaking I did wonder how they were managing to drive while I had no grip whatsoever; they must also have been running the winter set.

I've currently got Michelin pilot sports on and I'd been looking to change them for Goodyear asymmetric f1s soon anyway.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by mob17

Cheers for the explanation on snow chains chaps. Makes sense now.

What about snow socks? For the times you get stuck?

When it's -2 degrees, dark, slippery, snowing, and your car is stuck. Do you really want be crawling on your knees trying to fit some snow socks