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[Cloud9blue]

i was driving my rwd 335i with Goodyear Ultragrip Performance, trying to plow through 1' of snow at a unplowed parking lot. i got stuck, almost. I spent 5mins spinning the rear wheels and turn the front wheels to get myself out again.

i know i dont't have xdrive, so what i had tried must be pretty stupid. but whats the limit of snow tires on RWD cars??

[StanfordF15]

From what I understand, the limit strictly has to do with ground clearance, (and of course ice). Snow tires are great but won't do a lot to help you if you are trying to use your BMW as a snow plow.

[MRQturbo]

if you can constantly keep the car in motion, you shouldn't get stuck..its just when you lose that momentum of movement and stop in a foot or more of snow, thats when you get stuck...the only time i've ever gotten stuck was backing into my neighbours un-shovelled driveway...had to get a little push out before i was able to free myself...

[alex2112]

The only time I have ever had a hard time was when the ground clearance was insufficient, like you mentioned with your 1' of snow. Snow tires or not, these cars can't plow. Other than that, as long as the snow isn't too deep, I've never been stuck with snows on.

[Saintor]

It happens 1-2 times a month; not enough ground clearance as mentionned.

[BMdblU]

Yes, if the snow is wet and heavy it's pretty easy to get stuck. If you get stopped on somewhat of a steep hill when the road is totally snow covered, forget about it.

I just toss 80lbs in the trunk, drop the tire pressure a bit, stay away from hills, and drive carefully. I've also been driving slammed with v3 installed all winter. Most of the time I just plow right through it. I'm running 18" LM25's.

[carl_lazlo]

I had an 07' 335i cp that was awesome in the summer with the performance tires but even with expensive blizzaks snows on it I can safely say I have never had a worse, more unstable car for driving in the snow than that. About 3 months ago I traded it in for an 08' 335 xi sedan and it is like night and day.

I have read some people on here say that the 335i is fine in snow if you put snow tires on it but in my opinion they are crazy. I have driven MANY different cars over the past 20 years in all types of snow conditions and noting has been worst than that coupe in the snow.

It was so bad that I remember coming out of an office max in norther PA after a light dusting of snow. (less than 1/4 inch) Even on a flat parking lot my wheels were slipping and when I tried to turn I just went sideways.

[Saintor]

I have read some people on here say that the 335i is fine in snow if you put snow tires on it but in my opinion they are crazy

No I am not crazy... it is just fine if you drive with your head.... plenty of RWD cops cars over here... have some winter driving lessons.

[Crazy Bimmer]

If you had FWD with summer tires then i would assume you'd get stuck too.

Snow tires help massively, not only from a stand still but also with turning and stopping.

Only time i have had issues is when i try to get up my unplowed driveway with 6+ inches of snow. As long as i dont stop on the driveway im ok getting in the garage though.

Originally Posted by carl_lazlo

I have read some people on here say that the 335i is fine in snow if you put snow tires on it but in my opinion they are crazy. I have driven MANY different cars over the past 20 years in all types of snow conditions and noting has been worst than that coupe in the snow.

It was so bad that I remember coming out of an office max in norther PA after a light dusting of snow. (less than 1/4 inch) Even on a flat parking lot my wheels were slipping and when I tried to turn I just went sideways.

You had snow tires and traction control on when leaving office max? Sure there wasnt black ice under that snow...

[btrav1226]

Originally Posted by carl_lazlo

I had an 07' 335i cp that was awesome in the summer with the performance tires but even with expensive blizzaks snows on it I can safely say I have never had a worse, more unstable car for driving in the snow than that. About 3 months ago I traded it in for an 08' 335 xi sedan and it is like night and day.

I have read some people on here say that the 335i is fine in snow if you put snow tires on it but in my opinion they are crazy. I have driven MANY different cars over the past 20 years in all types of snow conditions and noting has been worst than that coupe in the snow.

It was so bad that I remember coming out of an office max in norther PA after a light dusting of snow. (less than 1/4 inch) Even on a flat parking lot my wheels were slipping and when I tried to turn I just went sideways.

i got through 4inches of snow on a VERY curvy unplowed road doing about 40-45 mph(35mph speed limit) to see how stable the car was. Pretty damn stable if you ask me or my friend who drives an audi who was in the passenger seat amazed at what i was doing. Jammed on the brakes, stops better than my Jeep Commander.

[Andy M]

My technique for if I ever got stuck (used to drive an old RWD a long time ago when I first got my license) is I would take my rubber car mats out of the car, put them in front of my driving tires, then drive out slowly in a lower gear.

You can get some really cheap rubber tires at Wal-mart or something and they'll work great for getting you out if you're stuck.

[indy335i]

Originally Posted by Andy M

My technique for if I ever got stuck (used to drive an old RWD a long time ago when I first got my license) is I would take my rubber car mats out of the car, put them in front of my driving tires, then drive out slowly in a lower gear.

You can get some really cheap rubber tires at Wal-mart or something and they'll work great for getting you out if you're stuck.

Hey, that's a great idea. Thanks. I've heard of people using kitty litter, but that seems like a mess.

I have snow tires on my RWD 335i and I haven't had a problem. Same thing with my old g35 RWD.

[Vnak]

Originally Posted by indy335i

Hey, that's a great idea. Thanks. I've heard of people using kitty litter, but that seems like a mess.

I have snow tires on my RWD 335i and I haven't had a problem. Same thing with my old g35 RWD.

I've used kitty litter and got another car out and it wasn't messy at all to store, just put it inside another bag. I was suprised at how well it worked. I have yet to get stuck when I was in Seattle/Portland area, but that was my first time in the winter with my 335i.

[DrDomer]

I guess it's just what you're used to. My first car at 16 was a Fiero GT with all-season radials. THAT was a tough car to drive in the snow. Even so, after 8 years of driving that through snow I got used to it and did fine. This BMW is cake to drive in snow with Blizzaks. Sure, turn traction control off and you'll get squirly, but with it on you can't get yourself in trouble. Ground clearance is the main issue. If you bottom out you're in trouble.

Originally Posted by carl_lazlo

I had an 07' 335i cp that was awesome in the summer with the performance tires but even with expensive blizzaks snows on it I can safely say I have never had a worse, more unstable car for driving in the snow than that. About 3 months ago I traded it in for an 08' 335 xi sedan and it is like night and day.

I have read some people on here say that the 335i is fine in snow if you put snow tires on it but in my opinion they are crazy. I have driven MANY different cars over the past 20 years in all types of snow conditions and noting has been worst than that coupe in the snow.

It was so bad that I remember coming out of an office max in norther PA after a light dusting of snow. (less than 1/4 inch) Even on a flat parking lot my wheels were slipping and when I tried to turn I just went sideways.

[battlehawk1025]

hell i have been stuck with x drive and snow tires . i have one of those long rubber things to help me if i get stuck get out stick it under the tire and i'm set

[Deda]

i have never been stuck with winter tyres!

[John 070]

I have the ultragrips too, but never got more than 3" so far.

That was funny, one solution was to replace the car with an xi. That's not too practical imho. There's a guy in the office who said his 750 is terrible in the snow, so he bought an Audi S5 to drive in the winter. My officemate told that guy his 750 needs 4 snows, and then it could be driven in the winter. They guy said he thought all season tires were fine with a FWD car.

No joke, people like that really exist. He says the S5 is way better in the snow, even though he once again has no snow tires. But go back to the beginning of my post--we only got 3" this year, so imho his conclusion is not valid.

[bimmerFUD]

Originally Posted by Saintor

It happens 1-2 times a month; not enough ground clearance as mentionned.

Originally Posted by Saintor

No I am not crazy... it is just fine if you drive with your head.... plenty of RWD cops cars over here... have some winter driving lessons.

How can it be "just fine" if you get stuck 1-2 times a month?
I don't think I've been stuck in 10 years.

[nicknaz]

in a 2wd open diff car you can easily get stuck even with snow tires. all it takes is one of the drive wheels on an icy patch and you instantly get wheelspin and very little forward movement. if I see icy area, especially with a slight incline I don't even bother putting my car there.

snow tires are awesome and definitely necessary, but ice is slippery no way around it. I used to keep a small shovel and cat litter in the trunk just in case.

For what it is worth, if you don't care about looks one of the best winter beaters out there is an old Subaru Loyale wagon. 4wd with locking center and rear diffs, a skid plate (yes, the car comes stock with a skid plate), plus winter tires are the next best thing to a vehicle with tracks (instead of wheels) in the snow)

[bimmerFUD]

Originally Posted by Nick Nazareno

For what it is worth, if you don't care about looks one of the best winter beaters out there is an old Subaru Loyale wagon. 4wd with locking center and rear diffs, a skid plate (yes, the car comes stock with a skid plate)

My 2002 Outback has a skid plate, but it was an option. Its looks do make it a good dog car

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Deda

i have never been stuck with winter tyres!

+1

[CurlyFatAngry]

Did you try to restrict DTC? Single push of the button?