3 Series handling

jewelerz · 01-18-2003, 05:14 AM

I'm really looking to bay a 3 series. But I was wondering how it handles in the rain and in the snow? and this might be a dumb question but are the rear wheel drive? The reason I ask that is because I had a 5 series and the reason I got rid of that (8mos) is because it didn't handle too well in the snow and rain. I'm not too sure if it had to do with the quality of the tires i had on it or lack thereof. But any input regarding the abouve questions will be greatly appreciate.

Thanks

Jeff Guinn · 01-19-2003, 03:55 PM

I bought a set of Blizzaks for winter driving. The only time I have any problems is when the snow gets too deep, but that is independent of front vs. rear wheel drive.

jewelerz · 01-19-2003, 07:26 PM

What year do you have?

frayed · 01-20-2003, 04:21 AM

One word: tires.

Buy a good set of performance oriented summer tires that have good wet weather traction. A Bridgestone S03 is a good example.

Buy a set of cheap wheels and a set of Blizzacks for the winter months. With these tires, my last E36 was unstoppable in the winter (I lived in the Albany area at the time). Tire Rack has good deals on wheel/tire packages.

jewelerz · 01-20-2003, 05:11 AM

so frayed you pretty much sayin that with the right tires i'll get good snow and rain handle?

Jared at Pelican Parts · 01-20-2003, 09:24 AM

The key here is traction. A good set of snow tires, and you should be good to go. go with what Frayed says about cheap rims and good snow tires.

frayed · 01-20-2003, 11:49 AM

Yes, good summer tires can provide excellent dry and wet traction.

Snow and ice are different animals altogether. With top drawer performanc tires, such as S03's, S02's, Kumho MX's, BFG KD/KDW's, Pilot Sports, etc., you'll go *nowhere* in the snow. If you do get started down the road, you'll end up taking you life in your own hands. Reserve kick butt performance rubber for those months w/o the white stuff, and a set of steel wheels, hubcaps, and Blizzaks for the winter months, probably only Dec-Feb or Jan-March.

You will have the hassle of an extra set of wheels in your garage, but it sure bits the hell out of driving an SUV.

The key here is the right tool for the job, and winter tires for the winter are pretty important on our bimmers.

In my opinion, going with an All-Season, or even a Performance All Season, you are sacrificing winter traction and safety, and warmer weather adhesion for fun on the backroads. If I move back up north, I'll get a set of dedicated winter wheels/tires, just as I have done in the past.

stupenal · 01-20-2003, 04:40 PM

I have a set of Yoko AVS intermediates and they absolutely SUCK in wet weather! Although, I'm not complaining one bit! It allows for VERY EASY drifts (in empty parking lots that is!). Just take it slow and everything should be fine and dandy. RWD does take awhile to get used to, especially in the rain, but seeing as how you already owned another rwd car, it should be pretty similar.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

The traction control on the later cars helps in the slippery stuff as well. It won't save your butt every time, but it can help in situations that are close--where you have made only a small error in judging how far down you can put your right foot...

--DD

Jared at Pelican Parts · 01-22-2003, 04:06 PM

Dont they also make snow tires with metal studs imbedded in the tires for extra extra traction?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Sort of. They make tires that can have studs screwed into them, but I don't think they make them with studs exactly. But yes it can be done.

But they aren't legal everywhere. They're hell on the road surface, so some areas don't allow them, or only allow them when snow is actually on the ground or at specific times.

--DD

mike944 · 01-30-2003, 11:52 AM

Tires make all the difference. I have a '94 325i, with an open rear dif. I bought a set of Nokian Hakkapiliitta 1 snow tires (hard to find, imported from Finland) They are great, better than the blizzak's (supposedly better) and they're quite a bit cheaper too. They are available studded, or unstudded. Studded are primairly for areas that get alot of ice on the roads. I chose the unstudded. I didn't want to put up with the extra noise of studded tires, for the small amount of ice we get around here.

This is the first time i have ever bought snow tires for a car, and i'll tell you, i'm never going to try to drive a car in the winter on all-season tires again.

Mike