Winter Driving

CSN · 05-07-2016, 01:29 PM

I have been a long time Mini owner. I am currently driving a John cooper works Countryman as I'm on a long waiting list for my first BMW. My question has to to with winter driving. With a dedicated set on good snow tires will the M2 get around in snow? I understand the clearance limitation. I'm thinking of a 4-6" snow.

Thanks

Transfer · 05-10-2016, 11:00 PM

Yes. Especially if you're in flat Nebraska as your profile indicates. The M-differential makes a big difference.

BEM-S4 · 05-12-2016, 09:40 AM

You'll be fine as long as you get studless ice and snow and not max performance snows which are basically all seasons. As previous poster said flat is your friend. Hills in the Northeast are the only issue I've had w my 235 and that's on max performance snows.

Drop the hammer · 05-12-2016, 09:57 AM

Put on a good set of Blizzaks and drive it. The cars balance and the rear diff makes it a very capable car in winter. Way better than my duramax also with winters in 2 wheel drive, pick ups have bad balance and with an open differential makes it terrible for sliding around. I'd take the M car any day, except on big steep hills where 4wd is needed.

CSN · 05-12-2016, 10:13 AM

Thanks for all the input! Now I just need an allocation!

gmzanatta · 05-12-2016, 02:26 PM

I plan on DD'ng mine year around. Going to get a new set of winter rims and tires (Blizzaks or X-Ice 3) and enjoy all that fun snow driving

Transfer · 05-12-2016, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

...max performance snows which are basically all seasons...

Sorry but this is really incorrect. They're called no-seasons for a reason. Michelin PA4, Pirelli Sotozero 4 or Winter Scorpion, and Dunlop WS 4D are hugely more capable in snow and ice than any all season.

From sea level to 4100 feet on Michelin PA4s...

CanadianDriver · 05-15-2016, 09:35 AM

add to the list Toyo Observe GSi5... it uses crushed walnuts for grip on ice

Ex-MINI · 05-15-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianDriver

add to the list Toyo Observe GSi5... it uses crushed walnuts for grip on ice

I've got Toyo winters for my current car. Great alternative to the standard Blizzaks and X-ice tire choices

gmzanatta · 05-24-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianDriver

add to the list Toyo Observe GSi5... it uses crushed walnuts for grip on ice

Been curious about these. Have you tried some out? Would love to hear a more in-depth review from a fellow Canadian.

oolas3 · 05-24-2016, 08:57 PM

No problem for a set of Nokian's.

Twix · 05-25-2016, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3m3mr

No problem for a set of Nokian's.

I have Nokians on my Landy, worst winter tires I've ever had. Which is odd considering they only make winters. But they don't clear out well and become icy slicks.

I used Bridgestones on my X1, never had a problem with the tires even as they wore out.

CanadianDriver · 05-30-2016, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmzanatta

Been curious about these. Have you tried some out? Would love to hear a more in-depth review from a fellow Canadian.

gmzanatta Used it for 3 years now and I admire the adhesion. Last time I checked, these come in T-rated variants or lower. Highway stability is acceptable, especially if inflated properly. I prefer this set over my old set of winters.

Before this set I used mid-priced H-rated winters only (3 sets). I compromised on ice grip over highway stability.

After this set, I wanted to consider run-flat Nokians for the M2. After seeing Twix' comment, I'll stick with the walnuts then

Hope that helps!

quikM2 · 06-16-2016, 02:47 PM

In the last few years i've driven PA3's, Vredestein Wintrac Extreme, Blizzak WS80's and all are okay with the blizzaks probably the all around better 'winter' tire with the vredestein's being the ultimate 'performance winter' meaning they are ok in the snow and bad on ice and awesome in the dry. PA3's were meh... For where I live performance in the dry is irrelevant so my next choice from everything i've read and heard for my M2 will be the Nokian R2's.

05-07-2016, 01:29 PM	#1
CSN Private 10 Rep 53 Posts Drives: M2 2017 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Nebraska iTrader: (0)	Winter Driving I have been a long time Mini owner. I am currently driving a John cooper works Countryman as I'm on a long waiting list for my first BMW. My question has to to with winter driving. With a dedicated set on good snow tires will the M2 get around in snow? I understand the clearance limitation. I'm thinking of a 4-6" snow. Thanks
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05-10-2016, 11:00 PM	#2
Transfer Major General 5250 Rep 5,874 Posts Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (1)	Yes. Especially if you're in flat Nebraska as your profile indicates. The M-differential makes a big difference.
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05-12-2016, 09:40 AM	#3
BEM-S4 Major General 4516 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	You'll be fine as long as you get studless ice and snow and not max performance snows which are basically all seasons. As previous poster said flat is your friend. Hills in the Northeast are the only issue I've had w my 235 and that's on max performance snows. __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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05-12-2016, 09:57 AM	#4
Drop the hammer First Lieutenant 249 Rep 391 Posts Drives: '17 F87 M2 AW, Dct Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada iTrader: (0)	Put on a good set of Blizzaks and drive it. The cars balance and the rear diff makes it a very capable car in winter. Way better than my duramax also with winters in 2 wheel drive, pick ups have bad balance and with an open differential makes it terrible for sliding around. I'd take the M car any day, except on big steep hills where 4wd is needed. __________________ 17 M2 AW, DCT, black grills, eventuri, bm3 Stg 2, csf intercooler, Fabspeed sportcat, AA charge pipe, 285r/265f pss, 285/30r18 re71r’s square apex 10x18, and smooth riding TC Kline coil overs with a very heavy throttle foot.
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05-12-2016, 10:13 AM	#5
CSN Private 10 Rep 53 Posts Drives: M2 2017 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Nebraska iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the input! Now I just need an allocation!
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05-12-2016, 02:26 PM	#6
gmzanatta Colonel 1823 Rep 2,948 Posts Drives: LBB 6MT M2 # 660/713 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: NB iTrader: (0)	I plan on DD'ng mine year around. Going to get a new set of winter rims and tires (Blizzaks or X-Ice 3) and enjoy all that fun snow driving
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05-15-2016, 09:35 AM	#8
CanadianDriver Captain 99 Rep 614 Posts Drives: P3D- Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	add to the list Toyo Observe GSi5... it uses crushed walnuts for grip on ice
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05-24-2016, 08:57 PM	#11
oolas3 Captain 388 Rep 876 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	No problem for a set of Nokian's.
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06-16-2016, 02:47 PM	#14
quikM2 Captain 371 Rep 743 Posts Drives: 2017 Jahre M3 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	In the last few years i've driven PA3's, Vredestein Wintrac Extreme, Blizzak WS80's and all are okay with the blizzaks probably the all around better 'winter' tire with the vredestein's being the ultimate 'performance winter' meaning they are ok in the snow and bad on ice and awesome in the dry. PA3's were meh... For where I live performance in the dry is irrelevant so my next choice from everything i've read and heard for my M2 will be the Nokian R2's.
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