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[WCM3]

So I had my e92 for a few months. I figured I would be driving up to the poconos in the winter to go snowboarding. Today, was the first day it snowed for the season and it made me not want to drive this car up to the poconos. The car is fine as long as it's moving, but once it's stop and go traffic, forget about it. When you start to move again after from a stop the passenger side rear wheel spins and spins until it gets some sort of grip, then it flings you forward. I had DTC on and everything while i was going sideways. I'm thinking of different things to invest in so that it will make it easier on me if their is more snow this season. I was debating whether or not to get a Quaife LSD. What do you guys think of that, anything else that you think will help my chances?

My winter wheels are 17" ASA JH3 and Dunlop Wintersports.

Thanks,
Mike

[noro]

Generally speaking if you car doesn't roll down while standing in snow, you CAN move it forward. The window of grip is very small, once the tires starts sliding even a tiny bit in the snow it looses most of the grip. Go easy on the clutch you should be able to very very slowly get going.

[ezatnova]

I don't know what to tell you man. I have Dunlop Winter Sport M3 (RFTs) and they only have the SLIGHTEST slip when starting from a stop, and that's only in the REALLY slick powder snow. (I'm also in WC, so I know the snow we get). Anyway, I don't know what your issue is....just let out the clutch slowly with no gas, or maybe start off in second gear. I find the car is DARN formidable for a powerful RWD, with proper snows mounted. It's a far cry from my WRX that had Dunlop M3's, but...whadaya want.

[richardew]

An LSD would definetly help. It'll double your traction. If your problem was only from startup, did you try manual mode and starting in second gear? The 335 has lots of low end torque, and when there is snow on the ground, that's you enemy. My winter setup is with ASA JH8's and 18" Blizzaks. I've got Blizzaks on my FX (DM Z3's) and the past 4 winters I had Blizzaks (LM25) on my Porsche. I've had no trouble getting around in the snow with either. All of mine however are AWD.

[AndreyATC]

I'm running Dunlops as well, 18'' though
Last winter had no issues at all
I however turn all electronic nannies completely of (press and hold DTC button)
I found it easier to get around in snow with one wheel drive
I got Quiafe last spring, so i hadnt had chance to test it in the winter yet
I assume, twice as much grip for sure
And now i hope for more snow and more often, because last winter was not enough challenge for my winter setup

[adc]

Start in 2nd gear - that's what I do and I'm running all seasons.

Also check your tire pressures, they could be far off from optimal. (And assuming these tires aren't directional so there's no point checking if they were mounted correctly).

[chaz58]

I don’t know why a Quaife would help.

My car has the electronic pseudo-LSD. The 328i and 335i came with these standard in 2008+ onward. I’m not sure about the earlier cars, as the info definitely isn’t there in the owner’s manual before 2008. Maybe the 2007’s don’t have this feature? (if not, the 2006/2007 owners are screwed)

Anyway, the LSD works fine in the snow. No one wheel drive for me (even with DSC and/or DTC turned off, the LSD simulation works).

(I’m not saying that there are not many situations where the Quaife wouldn’t be infinitely better, but starting off in snow isn’t one of them).

You got any tread left on your tires? You get below 50%, and the traction is going to start dropping off. Otherwise, you should be OK – unless you are on a steep incline...

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by adc

Start in 2nd gear - that's what I do and I'm running all seasons.

Also check your tire pressures, they could be far off from optimal. (And assuming these tires aren't directional so there's no point checking if they were mounted correctly).

Some (if not all) Dunlops ARE directional

[hope335i]

this is what you need dont play with you life:

[Barmats]

Some good suggestions above. I also run the Dunlop Wintersport M3 (runflats) and found them to be a surprisingly good snow tire. And you know how much snow we get here in Minnesota. Since these tires are directional is it possible they're mounted in the reverse direction?

[GAM3OVR85]

i got michelins PA3s i don't know how are they going to be

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187475

[WCM3]

Thanks for all the comments so far guys!

Originally Posted by ezatnova

I don't know what to tell you man. I have Dunlop Winter Sport M3 (RFTs) and they only have the SLIGHTEST slip when starting from a stop, and that's only in the REALLY slick powder snow. (I'm also in WC, so I know the snow we get). Anyway, I don't know what your issue is....just let out the clutch slowly with no gas, or maybe start off in second gear. I find the car is DARN formidable for a powerful RWD, with proper snows mounted. It's a far cry from my WRX that had Dunlop M3's, but...whadaya want.

It's not like terrible. Maybe I just need to let the clutch out slower or start in 2nd gear. That's my guess. Hope you loved that snow this morning!

Originally Posted by adc

Also check your tire pressures, they could be far off from optimal. (And assuming these tires aren't directional so there's no point checking if they were mounted correctly).

I'm going to try the 2nd gear thing. Also, what do you think optimal pressure is for 17" winter tires. I'm running 40psi.

Originally Posted by chaz58

You got any tread left on your tires? You get below 50%, and the traction is going to start dropping off. Otherwise, you should be OK – unless you are on a steep incline...

Nope, the tires were only used for one more snow last winter. They still have a lot of tread left on them. It's the inclines that really hurt.

Originally Posted by Barmats

Since these tires are directional is it possible they're mounted in the reverse direction?

Nope, they are all mounted correctly. All the arrows facing the correct ways.

[AndreyATC]

Quaife!
/ thread

[bmwmike]

Originally Posted by WCM3

So I had my e92 for a few months. I figured I would be driving up to the poconos in the winter to go snowboarding. Today, was the first day it snowed for the season and it made me not want to drive this car up to the poconos. The car is fine as long as it's moving, but once it's stop and go traffic, forget about it. When you start to move again after from a stop the passenger side rear wheel spins and spins until it gets some sort of grip, then it flings you forward. I had DTC on and everything while i was going sideways. I'm thinking of different things to invest in so that it will make it easier on me if their is more snow this season. I was debating whether or not to get a Quaife LSD. What do you guys think of that, anything else that you think will help my chances?

My winter wheels are 17" ASA JH3 and Dunlop Wintersports.

Thanks,
Mike

Yes, a LSD is your answer. The Quaife keeps the car straight when going forward in snowy conditions by adding that extra powered wheel. I've had it for 2 winters and it's an amazing improvement. It also helps a lot with traction on wet roads.

[chaz58]

That's bizzare. You guys with the 2006/7 cars must not have the electronic diff that the 2008+ cars have. You certainly don't need a Qaife on the 2008 cars. I'm surprised the 2007's don't have it.

Originally Posted by bmwmike

Yes, a LSD is your answer. The Quaife keeps the car straight when going forward in snowy conditions by adding that extra powered wheel. I've had it for 2 winters and it's an amazing improvement. It also helps a lot with traction on wet roads.

[chaz58]

Hmm. Is it only a problem when you are on an incline? That would explain some things. 40psi is a bit high (try 32), but isn't going to ruin your traction. Starting out in 2nd gear will help (as will a gentle launch), but it sounds like you might be better off leaving DSC on.

[WCM3]

Originally Posted by bmwmike

Yes, a LSD is your answer. The Quaife keeps the car straight when going forward in snowy conditions by adding that extra powered wheel. I've had it for 2 winters and it's an amazing improvement. It also helps a lot with traction on wet roads.

Thanks for the advice!

I may try to lower the psi in the next snow shower, and start off in second gear. If I'm not thrilled how it responds, it looks like i'm getting a quaife.

[swifty]

jus wondering..wat's up with this DTC or DSC off thing...is it easier to drive in the winter with the DTC completely off...i've heard the guys on Top gear talk about this too..also, does anyone know for sure if the 2007 models don't have e-lsd

[Vudoo4u2]

Originally Posted by chaz58

That's bizzare. You guys with the 2006/7 cars must not have the electronic diff that the 2008+ cars have. You certainly don't need a Qaife on the 2008 cars. I'm surprised the 2007's don't have it.

There is no E-Dif on 335's no matter what year you bought it

The E-Dif is only on the 1's

for 335's, of any make here are some tips:

Snow/Rain: one push of the DTC button
Dry/Fun conditions: press and hold DTC button until it gives you the "its totally off" sign

The difference in practice is simple, when you drive normally, having never touched that button, the car attempts to keep wheels from spinning completely, its traction/stability control.

If you press the button once, and this is not the technical description, just how it drives...it will allow a bit of wheel slip, which is necessary in wet/snowy conditions because if you have the tires just lock up and not spin (which occurs if you dont press the button at all), you have no shot at getting traction, since u are just dragging. You need a little spin allowed in the wheel/tire to get traction

If you press and hold the button, it turns those systems "off" relatively speaking, and you are free to spin your wheels like a madman to your liking and it wont do anything to you (thus the warning it gives you)

but yeah, no e-dif on 335's, no matter what year yours is

[chaz58]

I'm not sure where you get your information from, as you don't describe my car (but hey, I don't doubt it may describe yours). Possibly there was a change in 2008?

Anyway, in the BMW owner's manual in 2008 was clearly changed to describe the e-diff functionality. This paragraph is missing in the 2006-7 models. You can interpret what that omission means for yourself.

On my car, it never drives like an open diff. I always leave two spin marks - dirt, snow, rain, dry. Even with DST/DSC turned all the way off, my car drives like it has an LSD. It isn't as tight as a Quaif or a Torsen - more like a viscous unit. My car ALWAYS uses the brakes to send torque to the correct wheel, no matter what mode the Stability control is in.

[Vudoo4u2]

I have an 08...

I'd like to be wrong, but everything Ive read on here tells me that e-dif was only added to the 1 series

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by Vudoo4u2

I have an 08...

I'd like to be wrong, but everything Ive read on here tells me that e-dif was only added to the 1 series

The e-lsd is listed as a standard equipment under active safety on my 09 335i coupe.