[grl.racr]

Originally Posted by MetalM2

I have the Nokian Hakkas on my car, and used them last winter. The M2 is my daily driver, and Ottawa winters are no joke. You'll love the Nokians in true winter weather, they will get you through anything except for the ridiculously deep stuff that no 2-wheel drive, relatively low-riding car should be driving in, anyway.

Awesome! I lived for a short time in MTL and my gosh, those winters are unreal haha. A real snow tire is definitely what I've been looking for, even in these milder GTA winters.. just need the car to arrive now

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by Kankles

Alpins are made for parts of EU that require winter tires be mounted but rarely get any snow. So you can still drive 250kph on the autobahn when it's dry and above freezing.

Certainly seems that way. So now the M2 driver in northern climes can have four sets of wheels/tires: summer, track, performance/dry winter, and snow.

[chief1richard]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

This evening in the NY metro area and suburbs we’re getting our first major snowfall in three years. I was looking forward to putting my performance winter tires to use on the M2C—Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s in 245/265, mounted on the stock wheels. But coming home from work in 4 or so inches of fresh snow was much more of a challenge than it should have been. The car struggled for traction, getting sideways very easily with the slightest throttle, and nearly got stuck at a stoplight on a slight incline. I made it home to my driveway, where I promptly got stuck before making it into the garage.

I’ve had multiple BMWs over the years as daily drivers, all doing just fine in snow with winter tires—E46 330Ci, 545i, E60 M5, E90 M3. All rear wheel drive, all with a decent amount of power. And they did a solid job in winter conditions with performance winter tires from Dunlop (Winter Sport 3), Pirelli (Sottozero), and Bridgestone (Blizzak). But the M2C on the Michelin Pilot Alpins was a fail today. What’s been the experience of other forum members?

A square set-up 245/40/18 would work much better. There is no advantage other than looks to use a staggered Winter set-up. I live in New England which has some severe snow and have used this set-up for three years. Works better than my 4X PU. with all seasons. Wider tires do not work well driving in snow in the Winter.

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by chief1richard

A square set-up 245/40/18 would work much better. There is no advantage other than looks to use a staggered Winter set-up. I live in New England which has some severe snow and have used this set-up for three years. Works better than my 4X PU. with all seasons. Wider tires do not work well driving in snow in the Winter.

Definitely. I think of rally cars that run super-skinny studded tires during ice/snow stages. And good to know that 245s work well on your M2 in snow. I can’t help but think, though, that Blizzaks or Dunlop Winter Sports would do better than these Pilot Alpins.

[chris719]

Performance winters are a bit better than all season, that's it. I don't think Bridgestone LM001 or Sottozero 3 etc are any better really, same category. If you really need to drive in the snow then you need a full studless category tire. I had PA3 on my Z4M and it was fine for 1-2 inches of snow, but beyond that it's questionable.

[chief1richard]

I use Winter Tires more for the softer compliant tread compound which is needed in cold climates. Many have complained about wheel Hop when putting any power down, this is the cause of that. I have never experienced wheel hop after using Winter Tires. As far as heavy snow goes, I am fortunate enough to own a Ford F-150 for those days when there is substantial snow and salty slush. The M2 is just not the right vehicle for those conditions.

[gsrbri]

Just speaking from experience, M cars with snow packages are excellent on the snow. With the right tires and set up.

My 2015M4 has Blizzak LM-32 245/18 square set up. That car was unstoppable in heavy snow.

M2 is the same chassis if a smidge lighter. My M2 winter package is a Jeep GC :-)

[chris719]

I've driven on LM-32 and LM-001 and I don't know that I'd call them unstoppable in heavy snow... but they will probably get you home if the snow is below the front lip.

[Davil]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I think he's referring to a mounting issue

I think there was a mounting issue at the poster's conception.

[Maynard]

Nokian hakkapeliitta are truly the best it gets. Especially the studded versions - I'm on 9's, think they are releasing a v.10; noisy, but it is a performance sound so I kind of like it now that I'm used to it. The new-tech studs retract some, so they don't screw up the dry traction like the old ones would have, and don't kill your driveway. No problems with black ice or pack ice, and no worse than regular snows in the wet or on dry pavement. My 228iX is the winter car, and with AWD these things feel like you could climb walls; even in wider M2 sizing and RWD you'll outperform most. If it is just for an occasional dusting, the performance winters might be fine, but if you are going to drive an M2 in full snow, these are the way to go.