[No Boost]

Granted, the NWS misdiagnosed our snowfall totals (big surprise) but, it's a major storm nonetheless. Precipitation is presently in the form of heavy sleet with good overall visibility. About 6" of snow was already on the ground as I ventured out. PennDOT was out in full force on the major highways, doing their best to have roadways passable. But with it coming down so hard, inevitably, roads became snow/sleet covered in a short amount of time.

I have Michelin X ice3 rubber, made for deep snow, and 3- 50lb bags of icemelt in my trunk for weight over the drive tires. These, combined with using traction (MDM) mode made for an overall successful journey. Sure, there were some high pressure situations where small snow banks formed at intersections from plow trucks but I gritted my teeth and attacked them head-on. On my final stretch to home, a long and rather steep inline (Rt 113) had me nervous as I approached it. It was not well plowed, to boot. I hunkered down, gathered speed and ripped up the hill at 40 mph, swerving ever so slightly due to the snow tracks left behind from other motorists. I turned into my development and breathed a sigh of relief. I had made it.

This is my first RWD car in 25 years of driving. Like others, I was skeptical about its winter capabilities. Those feelings are now in the rear view. The M2 with its LSD, 6MT, traction mode, and snow tires is just as capable as my old 435i xdrive with all-seasons. To give perspective of how bad the weather/roads were, I did not encounter a single FWD or RWD vehicle throughout my 45 minute/15 mile excursion.

[TunedM2C]

Pics or it didn't happen!

[Noel911]

It's all about tires! I made it through 5 years of Boston winters in my old e46 M3 without issue. That said, the ground clearance is the real factor.

[piesauce]

Originally Posted by TunedM2

Pics or it didn't happen!

I second this!

[CanadianDriver]

can you share the tire size you picked? 235? 255?

[pit1]

I find the M2 very capable in the winter with proper tires. Running Michelin Alpina.

I'd use caution with extra weight on the rears, shouldn't be necessary. While it may help start traction in extreme cases, you're better off preserving the balance. M2 is far from a lightweight.

[No Boost]

Originally Posted by CanadianDriver

can you share the tire size you picked? 235? 255?

245 square setup

[giphlag]

I also run a square setup with Michelin X-ICE. 245/40R18.
So far so good. Drove to work this AM outside Boston and will try to make it home in about an hour

[Destroya]

The biggest problem is always the hard snow/ice ridges left by the plows. I did a lot of damage to my Volvo one winter because I got impatient and just blasted my way into my driveway thru a 2 foot snow berm. It was fun though.

[Ian ///M]

Meteorologists have the easiest job of all time. No pressure

[Zippster]

It's good to know that the M2 with the correct tires is capable, but all that salt on the roads, I hate that stuff. Yes the car has a 12 year rust warranty but I still don't like bathing my cars in salt unless I really have to.

I'm still impressed though.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by giphlag

I also run a square setup with Michelin X-ICE. 245/40R18.
So far so good. Drove to work this AM outside Boston and will try to make it home in about an hour

Shovel knows its place.

[QM]

Originally Posted by Stage IV

245 square setup

Same here today in Chicago area. Unplowed roads this morning. No issues at all with Michelin X-ice 3s. I don't think you need the sand bags in the back though. Just keep it in comfort mode in this weather and the car regains traction quickly. I agree that with proper winter tires this car is at least as capable in the snow as an all wheel drive with all seasons.

[No Boost]

Originally Posted by QM

Same here today in Chicago area. Unplowed roads this morning. No issues at all with Michelin X-ice 3s. I don't think you need the sand bags in the back though. Just keep it in comfort mode in this weather and the car regains traction quickly. I agree that with proper winter tires this car is at least as capable in the snow as an all wheel drive with all seasons.

Comfort mode was cutting power to the point of a standstill on a snowy upgrade. Gotta have some limited, controlled wheel spin in those situations. Yeah, the extra weight may be overkill. I'll remove them and see what happens.

[ZPrime]

Snow tires and weight distribution make more of a difference than number of drive wheels. AWD cars only get moving quicker, they don't stop or turn any better... And depending on the form of the AWD, it can actually be somewhat unpredictable as to how the vehicle will behave too (variable torque splits, etc).

Next time, skip the Michelins and go for Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2... Finland really knows how to make a snow tire.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by pit1

I find the M2 very capable in the winter with proper tires. Running Michelin Alpina.

I'd use caution with extra weight on the rears, shouldn't be necessary. While it may help start traction in extreme cases, you're better off preserving the balance. M2 is far from a lightweight.

No way, not for significant depths, or big hills.

The biggest issue or liability with a RWD car in the snow is forward traction. The extra weight in the trunk helps a lot! If you're on really steep roads, or in deep snow, it can mean the difference between getting stuck and making it.

It can absolutely be "necessary" depending on the conditions.

You're not going to be experiencing any "balance" issues with the weight in the rear, I'm not sure how you're better off "preserving balance" vs. increasing rear traction.

Some added understeer is hardly an issue in a RWD car in the snow.



OP: I was out for a few hours yesterday in the Philly burbs not too far from you with the 1er, no problems. Also daily drove my M3 for years. The M3 was significantly better with diff vs. the 1er...but still, the 1er is passable.

And turn the TC off entirely! Helps a ton and makes the car more predictable too.

[No Boost]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

No way, not for significant depths, or big hills.

The biggest issue or liability with a RWD car in the snow is forward traction. The extra weight in the trunk helps a lot! If you're on really steep roads, or in deep snow, it can mean the difference between getting stuck and making it.

It can absolutely be "necessary" depending on the conditions.

You're not going to be experiencing any "balance" issues with the weight in the rear, I'm not sure how you're better off "preserving balance" vs. increasing rear traction.

Some added understeer is hardly an issue in a RWD car in the snow.



OP: I was out for a few hours yesterday in the Philly burbs not too far from you with the 1er, no problems. Also daily drove my M3 for years. The M3 was significantly better with diff vs. the 1er...but still, the 1er is passable.

And turn the TC off entirely! Helps a ton and makes the car more predictable too.

Yep, balance is hardly a priority in this type of driving. TC off eh? M2 has MDM/traction mode that reads "optimum traction with limited stability control" on idrive.

[auf Deutsch]

I was out in the shit also yesterday. Used MDM with weight in the trunk. A bit nerve racking with the car "tramming" in the tracks left by others but a successful journey nonetheless.

[thereisnoSub]

psychos
you might do it all right - it might not be you - its the other person I would be worried about.

I always wait - dont want to be hit by someone else