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[SPACEMANRICK]

It has snowed here in Vancouver about 4". We have a Honda CRV with snow tires that I planned to drive in weather like this but unfortunately it is in the shop for repairs this week.

For those with the 335xi or 328xi with all season tires how does the car handle in 4" to 6" of light fluffy snow (my car has brand new all season tread with only 6,000 km on these tires)? Of course I would prefer to drive my car with snow tires but in a pinch how is your car taking the snow in all season tires?

[DrGP]

Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK

It has snowed here in Vancouver about 4". We have a Honda CRV with snow tires that I planned to drive in weather like this but unfortunately it is in the shop for repairs this week.

For those with the 335xi or 328xi with all season tires how does the car handle in 4" to 6" of light fluffy snow (my car has brand new all season tread with only 6,000 km on these tires)? Of course I would prefer to drive my car with snow tires but in a pinch how is your car taking the snow in all season tires?

Based on my experience in my previous S4. I have to believe that with AWD you might go OK in light accumulations DEPENDING ow what all season tires you are running. Not all are and none are as good as snow tires. I ran Conti Extreme Contacts on the S4. Also my wife has a Lexus IS250 AWD with Bridgestone Potenza RE92. Had the Lexus out last weekend with 1/2" of wet snow and was going sideways @ 15mph after a curve. Real problem is not going but stopping . Wet snow is obviously more treacherous.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by DrGP

Based on my experience in my previous S4. I have to believe that with AWD you might go OK in light accumulations DEPENDING ow what all season tires you are running. Not all are and none are as good as snow tires. I ran Conti Extreme Contacts on the S4. Also my wife has a Lexus IS250 AWD with Bridgestone Potenza RE92. Had the Lexus out last weekend with 1/2" of wet snow and was going sideways @ 15mph after a curve. Real problem is not going but stopping . Wet snow is obviously more treacherous.

Agreed on all points, especially the bit about stopping (and turning if I might add). With the added weight of AWD, our cars will take longer to stop on slippery roads vs an equivalent RWD E9x with the same tires. I have 2 AWD cars and dedicated winter tires and rims for both.

[flyinb501]

You'll be fine... I've never had winter tires.

[flukey]

I can't say for my current xi, but my previous e46 xi handled the exact conditions you described without any issues on all-season tires. I went to college in upstate new york and 4-8" of snow was normal conditions during the winter. not once did I have a problem and I actually enjoyed driving the xi in those conditions!

[Spacegray335i]

Originally Posted by DrGP

Based on my experience in my previous S4. I have to believe that with AWD you might go OK in light accumulations DEPENDING ow what all season tires you are running. Not all are and none are as good as snow tires. I ran Conti Extreme Contacts on the S4. Also my wife has a Lexus IS250 AWD with Bridgestone Potenza RE92. Had the Lexus out last weekend with 1/2" of wet snow and was going sideways @ 15mph after a curve. Real problem is not going but stopping . Wet snow is obviously more treacherous.

Wow, I can't believe Lexus put the worst tire in the world... http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....l=Potenza+RE92

[CirrusSR22]

You should be just fine. Even on a FWD or RWD car, all-seasons will get you around reasonably fine on flat terrain.

[SPACEMANRICK]

I have the Continental Contiprocontact SSR all season tires which seem to have some good reviews from tirerack. The snow seems to be slowing down and the accumulation is maybe 5".......I think I will head out and give it a shot. Thanks for all the input everyone

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ProContact+SSR

[SPACEMANRICK]

Went out tonight and the 335xi worked like a champ I went up 100 meters an unplowed street that had about 5" of snow and also with a 15 degree slope.

As I turned up the street, I freaked out because I saw an older American car (maybe a buick??) spinning it's wheels trying to go up the road. When I was going back down that hill later I saw that the owner had left the car on the side of the road with his flashers on.

I can only imagine how the XI handles in the snow and ice with snow tires

[Deda]

well i will rather go for winter tyres!

[arbitrage]

I think for the amount of times Vancouver gets snow (I was there for 8 yrs) your setup AWD with AS tires is totally fine and acceptable. As you now have experienced yourself, this combo is fine for the few snowy days and of course usually you'll be able to take out the CRV and avoid some Buick crashing into the bimmer!

[offthewall]

Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK

It has snowed here in Vancouver about 4". We have a Honda CRV with snow tires that I planned to drive in weather like this but unfortunately it is in the shop for repairs this week.

For those with the 335xi or 328xi with all season tires how does the car handle in 4" to 6" of light fluffy snow (my car has brand new all season tread with only 6,000 km on these tires)? Of course I would prefer to drive my car with snow tires but in a pinch how is your car taking the snow in all season tires?

I can't imagine you having any problems. I haven't had my xi in snow yet but I owned a Passat 4-Motion for 8 years before that with AS (Potenza G 009) tires on it. Always did great in snow up to the door frames.