Snow bound and frustrated
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,073
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From: new york
My Ride: 2011, E90 M3 Sedan. Alpine White.Competition package, Keyhole cover, fender reflectors in Alpine white, RPI Exhaust, 19
[quote name='simba' date='Jan 11 2010, 01:09 PM' post='1088229']
I had the worst driving experience last year in the snow and the 5er - this year, I've not taken the car out when we've had snow. Have a look at this thread .....
i had similar experience till i changed my continentals sport contact2's. now i have all seasons and what a difference!
[quote name='poleposition' date='Jan 11 2010, 04:11 PM' post='1088313']
BLIZZAK's
+1000!
[quote name='MarcsOnFire' date='Jan 12 2010, 08:56 AM' post='1088890']
So to conclude, I love my 535d.........I hate driving it in the snow on Summer tyres!
Marc
i did that for 2 seasons would you believe, changed them and kicked myself for not doing it sooner
I had the worst driving experience last year in the snow and the 5er - this year, I've not taken the car out when we've had snow. Have a look at this thread .....
i had similar experience till i changed my continentals sport contact2's. now i have all seasons and what a difference!
[quote name='poleposition' date='Jan 11 2010, 04:11 PM' post='1088313']
BLIZZAK's
+1000!
[quote name='MarcsOnFire' date='Jan 12 2010, 08:56 AM' post='1088890']
So to conclude, I love my 535d.........I hate driving it in the snow on Summer tyres!
Marc
i did that for 2 seasons would you believe, changed them and kicked myself for not doing it sooner
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,261
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From: Chippenham, Wiltshire UK
My Ride: F11 535i M-Sport,, Silver, Black Leather, LED Adaptive headlights
Model Year: 2015
Engine: N55
I put winters on my 530D tourer for our ski trip to Austria 3 years ago, bought a spare set of wheels and keep the unused set in the garage.
The winters go on every year in December and come off end of March, they are not only effective in snow but also cold wet conditions and frost.
Down in Fleet you probably have it a bit warmer than inland, so benefits will not be as high.
The pro of winter tyres is that whilst they are on, the summer tyres are not getting worn, so over 3-4 years tyre costs do not vary that much, remember to be effective winters have to be changed at 4mm.
If your only concern is the occasional drop of snow, I have to be honest and would seriously consider socks. They will not be as effective as winter tyres but should be enough to get you home.
A decent set of winters would cost you around ?660 (Continentals) plus the cost of wheels. Go for smaller wheels though, 225/50/17 are plenty big enough, wide tyres do not work as well as narrows in snow and they will be cheaper.
The winters go on every year in December and come off end of March, they are not only effective in snow but also cold wet conditions and frost.
Down in Fleet you probably have it a bit warmer than inland, so benefits will not be as high.
The pro of winter tyres is that whilst they are on, the summer tyres are not getting worn, so over 3-4 years tyre costs do not vary that much, remember to be effective winters have to be changed at 4mm.
If your only concern is the occasional drop of snow, I have to be honest and would seriously consider socks. They will not be as effective as winter tyres but should be enough to get you home.
A decent set of winters would cost you around ?660 (Continentals) plus the cost of wheels. Go for smaller wheels though, 225/50/17 are plenty big enough, wide tyres do not work as well as narrows in snow and they will be cheaper.
Senior Members
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 279
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From: Scotland, UK
My Ride: E61 530d Touring, May 2004
I too was stuck - the only car in the street unable to move (only just got 20 feet back onto drive with DTC off and handbrake half on as basic limited slip diff) - completely hopeless on 18inch wide runflats
Agree on the principle of narrower wheels - but any suggestions on sources for cheap wheels ? (Also in the queue for out of stock SnowSocks as emergency get home fix)
Agree on the principle of narrower wheels - but any suggestions on sources for cheap wheels ? (Also in the queue for out of stock SnowSocks as emergency get home fix)
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 804
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From: Harrisburg, PA area
My Ride: SOLD...Jet Black 2008 550i M Sport with SAT, black interior. RPI exhaust and air scoop, 35% huper optik tint all around, CF roundels, flat black kidneys, Springfield Armory XD-40 jet black in glove box, charcoal filter removed.
Originally Posted by davestone' post='1088851' date='Jan 12 2010, 05:29 AM
I was just reading your post this morning and examining your signature and saw that you have an "XD-40" in the glove box. I thought.... maybe some sort of MP3 player, sound system module, etc.. and then i google'd ! 
Was that an optional extra when you bought yours?
Was that an optional extra when you bought yours?I wish. Pennsylvania is a right to carry state and I take advantage of that.
Oh, and so I don't offend others, I meant to say Bimmer in my post, not Beemer. Not sure where beemer came from anyway, that's GAY!
Contributors
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts, USA
My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
Originally Posted by bha7176' post='1089269' date='Jan 12 2010, 05:37 PM
I wish. Pennsylvania is a right to carry state and I take advantage of that.
Oh, and so I don't offend others, I meant to say Bimmer in my post, not Beemer. Not sure where beemer came from anyway, that's GAY!
Oh, and so I don't offend others, I meant to say Bimmer in my post, not Beemer. Not sure where beemer came from anyway, that's GAY!
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
My Ride: 535d M Sport Auto
Sighhh, it snowed again here over night, so another 6" here, just as I had worked my way down the road clearing the 100yds of 4" compacted ice. Back to square one, although, this morning at 6am I went out and swept away the soft snow from in front of the house.
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
My Ride: 535d M Sport Auto
Originally Posted by KAF' post='1089099' date='Jan 12 2010, 06:51 PM
I put winters on my 530D tourer for our ski trip to Austria 3 years ago, bought a spare set of wheels and keep the unused set in the garage.
The winters go on every year in December and come off end of March, they are not only effective in snow but also cold wet conditions and frost.
Down in Fleet you probably have it a bit warmer than inland, so benefits will not be as high.
The pro of winter tyres is that whilst they are on, the summer tyres are not getting worn, so over 3-4 years tyre costs do not vary that much, remember to be effective winters have to be changed at 4mm.
If your only concern is the occasional drop of snow, I have to be honest and would seriously consider socks. They will not be as effective as winter tyres but should be enough to get you home.
A decent set of winters would cost you around ?660 (Continentals) plus the cost of wheels. Go for smaller wheels though, 225/50/17 are plenty big enough, wide tyres do not work as well as narrows in snow and they will be cheaper.
The winters go on every year in December and come off end of March, they are not only effective in snow but also cold wet conditions and frost.
Down in Fleet you probably have it a bit warmer than inland, so benefits will not be as high.
The pro of winter tyres is that whilst they are on, the summer tyres are not getting worn, so over 3-4 years tyre costs do not vary that much, remember to be effective winters have to be changed at 4mm.
If your only concern is the occasional drop of snow, I have to be honest and would seriously consider socks. They will not be as effective as winter tyres but should be enough to get you home.
A decent set of winters would cost you around ?660 (Continentals) plus the cost of wheels. Go for smaller wheels though, 225/50/17 are plenty big enough, wide tyres do not work as well as narrows in snow and they will be cheaper.
Great advice and good to think about the overall cost in that the summer tyres would not be worn during the winter, so a worthwhile investment. Thanks for the tip about the wheel size as well. I'm not a great expert about what one can or cannot do re: wheels so this is helpful. Does anyone have any good recommendations for either online or offline suppliers who could supply tyres fitted to new alloys?
Members
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: UK
My Ride: 2004 535d Msport Auto, Silver, 18" Alloys
Engine Remapped - 315 bhp (apparently), Black Badges, Bright white Angels & Fogs, M-Tech Badge Front Grill, rear LCI upgrade
Gosh, Had similar experience last week and the car has been locked up ever since. Completed a 60 mile round trip no problems, got back to my house and spent 1hr trying to reverse into my drive, including lots of spade action, carpet under the wheels, spinning, sweat and tears.. in the end had to get a neighbour to push car down hill (away from house) and park up down the road 
... as expected did not sleep well that night.. (have since recovered the car)
I've gone for the chains option as ?50 for chains is better than ?600 for tyres..
will let you all know how they get on as will be trying them out tomorrow after more snow today.. and a failed attempt to venture out..
... as expected did not sleep well that night.. (have since recovered the car)I've gone for the chains option as ?50 for chains is better than ?600 for tyres..
will let you all know how they get on as will be trying them out tomorrow after more snow today.. and a failed attempt to venture out..
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
My Ride: 535d M Sport Auto
Originally Posted by rtobin' post='1090150' date='Jan 14 2010, 12:47 AM
Gosh, Had similar experience last week and the car has been locked up ever since. Completed a 60 mile round trip no problems, got back to my house and spent 1hr trying to reverse into my drive, including lots of spade action, carpet under the wheels, spinning, sweat and tears.. in the end had to get a neighbour to push car down hill (away from house) and park up down the road ... as expected did not sleep well that night.. (have since recovered the car)
I've gone for the chains option as ?50 for chains is better than ?600 for tyres..
will let you all know how they get on as will be trying them out tomorrow after more snow today.. and a failed attempt to venture out..
... as expected did not sleep well that night.. (have since recovered the car)I've gone for the chains option as ?50 for chains is better than ?600 for tyres..
will let you all know how they get on as will be trying them out tomorrow after more snow today.. and a failed attempt to venture out..
Members
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: UK
My Ride: 2004 535d Msport Auto, Silver, 18" Alloys
Engine Remapped - 315 bhp (apparently), Black Badges, Bright white Angels & Fogs, M-Tech Badge Front Grill, rear LCI upgrade
535d Auto with 18ich run flats, lol almost exactly the same car as yours... cept mine doesnt have folding mirrors and smaller tyres - weather looks even more treacerous today... dont know wether to risk it... think I'm being a wuss?
and smaller tyres - weather looks even more treacerous today... dont know wether to risk it... think I'm being a wuss?