Driving my E90 M3 From Canada to California

Sandye90m3 · 10-22-2011, 11:24 PM

Hey guys, I'm just going to post this question really quick and update it later. However I'm attending school at University of California Irvine Campus, and my father bought a house close by for investment sakes.

Do you think it is wise for me to drive my E90 M3 from Canada to California in the middle of winter break? I would love to the family drive down here as it will be the last time I see my parents until later on. However keep in mind I would not be willing to purchase winter tires. I'm thinking of waiting until I know the roads will be clear for the next couple of days over my road path. If it is clear then I will begin my trip.

Thanks,
Sandy

Sandye90m3 · 10-24-2011, 12:26 AM

Anyone have any experience driving in winter on the highways with summer tires?

aajami · 10-24-2011, 12:37 AM

Even if the roads are clear, if the temperature is low enough, it'll cause some serious traction issues with summer tires. I wouldn't do it, but then again, the coldest it gets around these parts is 55 degrees in the dead of winter.

By the way, UCI is my alma mater. Welcome to Socal.

b0bab0i · 10-24-2011, 12:48 AM

Get some chains?

And zot zot.

szcyxzh · 10-24-2011, 01:10 AM

A/S tires first. Go

vqtt · 10-27-2011, 02:53 PM

you should be ok if the roads are clear , if there are snow you're screwed , dont worry about traction when is cold out with summer tires , as we all know that bmw traction control is one of the best . have a safe drive !

Sandye90m3 · 10-28-2011, 02:20 AM

I talked to the family and I will be in Calgary for the winter break. If there is a sign of clear highways, we'll take the chance and drive out. I've driven the car in some winter conditions with summer tires, and I was scared shitless. So we'll see. I'll probably ask myself this question later on, "Is it worth the risk?"

In Calgary the weather dips to 30F all the time and drive my car around on my summer tires and it does fine. So as long as the roads are clear it should be good. I'll make sure I document my travel too.

Cdnrockies · 10-28-2011, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

I talked to the family and I will be in Calgary for the winter break. If there is a sign of clear highways, we'll take the chance and drive out. I've driven the car in some winter conditions with summer tires, and I was scared shitless. So we'll see. I'll probably ask myself this question later on, "Is it worth the risk?"

In Calgary the weather dips to 30F all the time and drive my car around on my summer tires and it does fine. So as long as the roads are clear it should be good. I'll make sure I document my travel too.

Can you please post pics of your car?

So the rest of the drivers in Calgary can stay far, far away from you.

If you think that your car is even remotely capable with the summer tires in anything colder than 5 C you are a complete and total moron.

Sandye90m3 · 10-28-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

Can you please post pics of your car?

So the rest of the drivers in Calgary can stay far, far away from you.

If you think that your car is even remotely capable with the summer tires in anything colder than 5 C you are a complete and total moron.

Pictures are in my other threads, feel free to look.

Mirko · 10-28-2011, 04:06 PM

Two years ago I took the winters off my 330ci and put the summer tires back on and we got hit with a freak snow storm in Ontario. It was a month of great warm weather and then one day blizzard. Drove home fine, just getting started was harder than normal. Wouldn't advise going fast but regular highway speeds were fine. Corners were fine but preferred to slow down to posted limit or slightly lower instead of well .. you know .. BMW normally takes corners faster than posted easily. lol ... eitherway drive safe

Inspired · 10-28-2011, 05:13 PM

Why not get some winter tires? Small price to pay for..

STALKER · 10-28-2011, 05:41 PM

I would not even think about driving through Alberta in the winter with anything less the winter tires.
Better save then sorry.

gun6slinger9 · 10-28-2011, 07:54 PM

You buy a 80k car in Calgary yet you are unwilling to spend 2k on winter tires? If you're driving down in the winter you will NEED winter tires when you reach the crowsnest pass, maybe even chains. There are somethings that you cant just cheap out on especially when you are driving through highways with sharp turns with one side being a mountain and the other side being a cliff. The snow might be cleared but there might still be ice. Summer tires in -20c with ice on a winding cliff highway is a recipe for disaster.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

In Calgary the weather dips to -1F all the time and drive my car around on my summer tires and it does fine.

Fixed that for you

MisterSkiMask · 10-29-2011, 10:48 AM

If the weather Was good, I would do it. I would try to get to the west coast, it's not going to be as cold close to the pacific.

People these days act like turning off traction control, or driving on tires that were not designed specifically for that days conditions will cause the car to explode and crash immediately. Just drive at an appropriate speed when the roads are safe and you will be fine. If there is a crazy blizzard you shouldn't be in it in an m3 with any kind of tires.

abisson · 10-29-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gun6slinger9

You buy a 80k car in Calgary yet you are unwilling to spend 2k on winter tires?

Fixed that for you

He obv didn't pay for the car. He is at University.

Ti335 · 10-30-2011, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

Anyone have any experience driving in winter on the highways with summer tires?

Let me put it this way: if there's even a millimeter of snow on the ground, you'd have to be a total idiot to attempt this. RWD + summer tires + snow = not a good combination (especially on the highway). As someone who lives in Calgary, you should know this.

Sandye90m3 · 10-31-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abisson

He obv didn't pay for the car. He is at University.

I paid for half, don't assume.

As per the tires, being Indian I would just hate to waste money on something that I'm going to use for 13 hours -.-

I think I'll just take the Cayenne for the winter and switch it for the M3 when I drive back up in Summer.

abisson · 10-31-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

I paid for half, don't assume.

As per the tires, being Indian I would just hate to waste money on something that I'm going to use for 13 hours -.-

I think I'll just take the Cayenne for the winter and switch it for the M3 when I drive back up in Summer.

What is 800$ for safety, when you can buy half a M3.....

Inspired · 10-31-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

I paid for half, don't assume.

As per the tires, being Indian I would just hate to waste money on something that I'm going to use for 13 hours -.-

I think I'll just take the Cayenne for the winter and switch it for the M3 when I drive back up in Summer.

at the Indian comment.. The Subway owner near my place is Indian and he is too cheap to include napkins..

One128i · 10-31-2011, 09:56 PM

You wanna drive in winter conditions in a 414 HP performance car, with summer tires? Are you stupid?

Buy a set of high performance winters, then sell them after when you don't need them.

10-22-2011, 11:24 PM	#1
Sandye90m3 Major 172 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Calgary, CA iTrader: (0)	Driving my E90 M3 From Canada to California Hey guys, I'm just going to post this question really quick and update it later. However I'm attending school at University of California Irvine Campus, and my father bought a house close by for investment sakes. Do you think it is wise for me to drive my E90 M3 from Canada to California in the middle of winter break? I would love to the family drive down here as it will be the last time I see my parents until later on. However keep in mind I would not be willing to purchase winter tires. I'm thinking of waiting until I know the roads will be clear for the next couple of days over my road path. If it is clear then I will begin my trip. Thanks, Sandy __________________ M3.E90 JZB *Coded.GTSDCT.BomizValved.TurnerTestPipes.ResDelete .EurochargedTune.AAFilter.HRER40s*
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10-24-2011, 12:26 AM	#2
Sandye90m3 Major 172 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Calgary, CA iTrader: (0)	Anyone have any experience driving in winter on the highways with summer tires? __________________ M3.E90 JZB *Coded.GTSDCT.BomizValved.TurnerTestPipes.ResDelete .EurochargedTune.AAFilter.HRER40s*
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10-24-2011, 12:37 AM	#3
aajami Brigadier General 439 Rep 4,567 Posts Drives: Space Gray '09 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA iTrader: (4)	Even if the roads are clear, if the temperature is low enough, it'll cause some serious traction issues with summer tires. I wouldn't do it, but then again, the coldest it gets around these parts is 55 degrees in the dead of winter. By the way, UCI is my alma mater. Welcome to Socal. __________________ '09 E92 M3: Space Gray, Black, Carbon Leather \| ZTP 2MK ZPP 2MT 6FL \| link 1 / link 2 Mods: M Performance exhaust \| ZCP retrofit \| Euro airbox \| GTS DCT flash \| JPN 240 ECU flash \| Euro LCI taillights \| CRT lip \| OEM alarm retrofit \| Space Gray bumper plugs \| BMW Performance: Mk. II spoiler / Mk. II non-electronic steering wheel / mirror caps / front grilles / side gills / intake louvers / emblem
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10-24-2011, 12:48 AM	#4
b0bab0i Major 25 Rep 1,033 Posts Drives: 03 TiAG z4 3.0i w/ hardtop Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Get some chains? And zot zot.
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10-24-2011, 01:10 AM	#5
szcyxzh First Lieutenant 20 Rep 399 Posts Drives: 128I Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (2)	A/S tires first. Go
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10-27-2011, 02:53 PM	#6
vqtt Private 6 Rep 52 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: detroit iTrader: (1)	you should be ok if the roads are clear , if there are snow you're screwed , dont worry about traction when is cold out with summer tires , as we all know that bmw traction control is one of the best . have a safe drive !
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10-28-2011, 02:20 AM	#7
Sandye90m3 Major 172 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Calgary, CA iTrader: (0)	I talked to the family and I will be in Calgary for the winter break. If there is a sign of clear highways, we'll take the chance and drive out. I've driven the car in some winter conditions with summer tires, and I was scared shitless. So we'll see. I'll probably ask myself this question later on, "Is it worth the risk?" In Calgary the weather dips to 30F all the time and drive my car around on my summer tires and it does fine. So as long as the roads are clear it should be good. I'll make sure I document my travel too. __________________ M3.E90 JZB *Coded.GTSDCT.BomizValved.TurnerTestPipes.ResDelete .EurochargedTune.AAFilter.HRER40s*
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10-28-2011, 04:06 PM	#10
Mirko Major 218 Rep 1,061 Posts Drives: SUV Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	Two years ago I took the winters off my 330ci and put the summer tires back on and we got hit with a freak snow storm in Ontario. It was a month of great warm weather and then one day blizzard. Drove home fine, just getting started was harder than normal. Wouldn't advise going fast but regular highway speeds were fine. Corners were fine but preferred to slow down to posted limit or slightly lower instead of well .. you know .. BMW normally takes corners faster than posted easily. lol ... eitherway drive safe
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10-28-2011, 05:13 PM	#11
Inspired Colonel 156 Rep 2,368 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California iTrader: (2)	Why not get some winter tires? Small price to pay for..
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10-28-2011, 05:41 PM	#12
STALKER Brigadier General 173 Rep 3,854 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3, Golf R Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (5)	I would not even think about driving through Alberta in the winter with anything less the winter tires. Better save then sorry. __________________
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10-29-2011, 10:48 AM	#14
MisterSkiMask Banned 153 Rep 2,014 Posts Drives: I Can not say Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: you must not know iTrader: (0)	If the weather Was good, I would do it. I would try to get to the west coast, it's not going to be as cold close to the pacific. People these days act like turning off traction control, or driving on tires that were not designed specifically for that days conditions will cause the car to explode and crash immediately. Just drive at an appropriate speed when the roads are safe and you will be fine. If there is a crazy blizzard you shouldn't be in it in an m3 with any kind of tires.
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10-31-2011, 09:56 PM	#20
One128i Private First Class 6 Rep 124 Posts Drives: '12 128i (sold), 06' MX-5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ottawa, Ontario iTrader: (0)	You wanna drive in winter conditions in a 414 HP performance car, with summer tires? Are you stupid? Buy a set of high performance winters, then sell them after when you don't need them.
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