My M5 Snow Adventure....

ARKONE · 02-02-2015, 11:09 AM

So, yesterday we were hit with a ton of snow 6-8". My plan was to not leave my room but I decided to take the M5 out to get some pizzas. I put away the M5 in the parking garage because I saw the snow coming but I just had to give it a try in the snow. Got the car out and into the parking lot. Got stuck less than 20 feet from the garage.

90 minutes later, car was still stuck and BMW Assist couldn't send anyone since they said they put my area in a State of Emergency. So Barry III sat outside overnight. Luckily we got no snow overnight. Will throw up some pics and put up an update about the status after class.

Poleposition · 02-02-2015, 11:30 AM

snow tires

ARKONE · 02-02-2015, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poleposition

snow tires

Ordering some Zottozeros later today. Nebraska weather is a finicky. Who knows if we get more snow...

Bönz · 02-02-2015, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karney5

Ordering some Zottozeros later today. Nebraska weather is a finicky. Who knows if we get more snow...

Wait a minute. You went out with summer tires in the snow and you're surprised you got stuck?

M8 · 02-02-2015, 12:28 PM

Thanks for the Monday morning chuckle! That must have been a really good pizza! Too funny!

RPiM5 · 02-02-2015, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bönz

Wait a minute. You went out with summer tires in the snow and you're surprised you got stuck?

I don't think he was surprised he got stuck. He's just saying he got stuck. Lol!

I've driven my M5 in the snow with winter tires on here just one time, and I can say that the car makes far too much torque. Driving on hard packed slippery snow is not too easy, but in fresh powder it's great!

AT LAW · 02-02-2015, 12:36 PM

I actually prefer RWD cars with winter tires on it verses AWD.

They are easier to control on slippery conditions and pull just as well.

Bönz · 02-02-2015, 12:52 PM

I've driven many powerful RWD cars in the snow and ice and they're just fine with a good set of winter tires and judicious application of the throttle. No problem at all. I'm thinking the e-diff on the M5 that can provide 100% lock is an advantage - again with proper tires.

Poleposition · 02-02-2015, 01:07 PM

Sottozeros will do you right. And keep in mind, these tires arent just for snow, your car will actually be drivable when its really cold out as opposed to the Pilot Sports. The Michelins are hockey pucks when its cold out. Not safe at all, even without precip.

AT LAW · 02-02-2015, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poleposition

Sottozeros will do you right. And keep in mind, these tires arent just for snow, your car will actually be drivable when its really cold out as opposed to the Pilot Sports. The Michelins are hockey pucks when its cold out. Not safe at all, even without precip.

Who makes the Sottozeros? Are they a decent driving tire for the winter months with and without snow?

WCH · 02-02-2015, 02:22 PM

Snow tires are essential when it gets cold and especially if there is snow.

However even snow tires will not help you if you have to go up a hill that has snow or slush. In that circumstance AWD (with proper tires) is going to be better.

Don't get me wrong - I love my M5 and have snow tires to deal with the snow - but it's pretty hard to get up hills when it is actively snowing. Plowed roads are fine though. I figure it is 4-5 days a year for me in the NE - the rest of the year I prefer the RWD.

ARKONE · 02-02-2015, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bönz

Wait a minute. You went out with summer tires in the snow and you're surprised you got stuck?

Never owned a RWD car before. I had a 328Xi before this and never ran into problems. I never drove my 550i in the snow since I had it from June of 2014 till about 2 weeks ago. I except a little wheel slippage, but not being able to get out of the freakin' parking lot. Looks like I'll need to pickup a Range for the winter months....

Bönz · 02-02-2015, 06:19 PM

It's not because of RWD. You CANNOT use summer tires (i.e. Michelin PSS) in cold or snow. They have the wrong rubber compound (rocks below 40 F) and no sipes (no bite in the snow).

Your 328 and most likely your 550 had all seasons. Not as good as dedicated performance winter tires, but usable in snow nonetheless.

ARKONE · 02-02-2015, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M8

Thanks for the Monday morning chuckle! That must have been a really good pizza! Too funny!

How's the X1 do in the winter? I am leaving towards an Evoque as my snow car...

ARKONE · 02-02-2015, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AT LAW

Who makes the Sottozeros? Are they a decent driving tire for the winter months with and without snow?

Pirelli. They are rated up there for snow tires for the M5.

PhilT3 · 02-02-2015, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karney5

Never owned a RWD car before. I had a 328Xi before this and never ran into problems. I never drove my 550i in the snow since I had it from June of 2014 till about 2 weeks ago. I except a little wheel slippage, but not being able to get out of the freakin' parking lot. Looks like I'll need to pickup a Range for the winter months....

You seem surprised... You DO know the car has...RWD+Summer tires+500lb/ft torque...? Lol.

You seem to be a bit young... Might I suggest taking more care in your transportation decisions.

M6-Coupe · 02-02-2015, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilT3

You seem surprised... You DO know the car has...RWD+Summer tires+500lb/ft torque...? Lol.

^^^ This

... you meant 500++

OP, next time try to put the car in MDM mode. It's kinda DTC (not DSC) and gives your tires a little more traction, but like others said, no summer tires in winter for RWD M5

dw89 · 02-03-2015, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karney5

Never owned a RWD car before. I had a 328Xi before this and never ran into problems. I never drove my 550i in the snow since I had it from June of 2014 till about 2 weeks ago. I except a little wheel slippage, but not being able to get out of the freakin' parking lot. Looks like I'll need to pickup a Range for the winter months....

You don't necessarily need a AWD vehicle, just snow tires. I'm running Michelin Pilot Alpin and they make the car so much easier to drive in snow. I definitely notice better braking with snow tires.

johntomferg · 02-03-2015, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dw89

You don't necessarily need a AWD vehicle, just snow tires. I'm running Michelin Pilot Alpin and they make the car so much easier to drive in snow. I definitely notice better braking with snow tires.

+1 here. I was taking my wife to the Nashville airport yesterday morning and someone decided to turn left in an intersection in front of me. Well guess what? I was "at speed" and they went way___ too late to making a left in an intersection! Did one full-on press of the brakes with 3 full cycles of ABS and steered in behind them to safely come through the intersection. I would say my right front corner passed within 6-8 inches of his rear bumper. I then got right back on the throttle and out of the intersection.

If I hadn't of had the winter tires on yesterday it would have been a full t-bone with the summers on the car. You definitely need them for the "cold weather" grip even if there isn't much (if any) snow on the roadway. And while you can compensate for the summers in dry cold weather conditions by leaving longer distances and driving more "carefully", you give up way too much when it comes to avoidance of bad situations that are not under your control.

325ise30 · 02-15-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karney5

Quote:

Originally Posted by M8

Thanks for the Monday morning chuckle! That must have been a really good pizza! Too funny!

How's the X1 do in the winter? I am leaving towards an Evoque as my snow car...

X1 with snows is a tank. My wife has driven one for 3 winters with zero issues.

eleven11 · 02-15-2015, 02:49 PM

You could put the M5 stock summer tires on a Jeep, Range Rover, etc. and drive them in the same snowy conditions with the same result.

PhilT3 · 02-15-2015, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleven11

You could put the M5 stock summer tires on a Jeep, Range Rover, etc. and drive them in the same snowy conditions with the same result.

Yep!

02-02-2015, 11:09 AM	#1
ARKONE Lieutenant 59 Rep 513 Posts Drives: '11 458; '16 Escalade; '12 Z4 Join Date: May 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	My M5 Snow Adventure.... So, yesterday we were hit with a ton of snow 6-8". My plan was to not leave my room but I decided to take the M5 out to get some pizzas. I put away the M5 in the parking garage because I saw the snow coming but I just had to give it a try in the snow. Got the car out and into the parking lot. Got stuck less than 20 feet from the garage. 90 minutes later, car was still stuck and BMW Assist couldn't send anyone since they said they put my area in a State of Emergency. So Barry III sat outside overnight. Luckily we got no snow overnight. Will throw up some pics and put up an update about the status after class. __________________ 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante 2012 Ducati Panigale 1199 S 2019 Ducati Panigale V4R
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02-02-2015, 11:30 AM	#2
Poleposition ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 512 Rep 1,437 Posts Drives: very well Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	snow tires __________________ 2022 Individual M5 Comp Venetian Violet 2021 X6M Comp 2024 i4 M50 on order IG @purpleM5Comp_NY
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02-02-2015, 12:28 PM	#5
M8 Private 8 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Boulder, Colorado iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the Monday morning chuckle! That must have been a really good pizza! Too funny! __________________ Drives: 2013 Alpine White M5 2014 X1 xDrive35i Cadillac Escalade Subaru Outback (it's required in Boulder!)
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02-02-2015, 12:36 PM	#7
AT LAW Private First Class 19 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 550xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	I actually prefer RWD cars with winter tires on it verses AWD. They are easier to control on slippery conditions and pull just as well. __________________ 2015 BMW 535i xDrive M Sport, Mediterranean Blue - Ivory / Black Nappa - Absolutely Loaded 2006 Porsche 911, Guards Red / Black
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02-02-2015, 12:52 PM	#8
Bönz Captain 184 Rep 764 Posts Drives: 2018 M5 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	I've driven many powerful RWD cars in the snow and ice and they're just fine with a good set of winter tires and judicious application of the throttle. No problem at all. I'm thinking the e-diff on the M5 that can provide 100% lock is an advantage - again with proper tires.
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02-02-2015, 01:07 PM	#9
Poleposition ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 512 Rep 1,437 Posts Drives: very well Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	Sottozeros will do you right. And keep in mind, these tires arent just for snow, your car will actually be drivable when its really cold out as opposed to the Pilot Sports. The Michelins are hockey pucks when its cold out. Not safe at all, even without precip. __________________ 2022 Individual M5 Comp Venetian Violet 2021 X6M Comp 2024 i4 M50 on order IG @purpleM5Comp_NY
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02-02-2015, 02:22 PM	#11
WCH Lieutenant Colonel 347 Rep 1,844 Posts Drives: '20 M8C convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (8) Garage List 2022 Porsche Cayenn ... [0.00] 2020 BMW M8C [0.00] 2017 Porsche Macan GTS [0.00]	Snow tires are essential when it gets cold and especially if there is snow. However even snow tires will not help you if you have to go up a hill that has snow or slush. In that circumstance AWD (with proper tires) is going to be better. Don't get me wrong - I love my M5 and have snow tires to deal with the snow - but it's pretty hard to get up hills when it is actively snowing. Plowed roads are fine though. I figure it is 4-5 days a year for me in the NE - the rest of the year I prefer the RWD.
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02-02-2015, 06:19 PM	#13
Bönz Captain 184 Rep 764 Posts Drives: 2018 M5 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	It's not because of RWD. You CANNOT use summer tires (i.e. Michelin PSS) in cold or snow. They have the wrong rubber compound (rocks below 40 F) and no sipes (no bite in the snow). Your 328 and most likely your 550 had all seasons. Not as good as dedicated performance winter tires, but usable in snow nonetheless.
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02-15-2015, 02:49 PM	#21
eleven11 Major 370 Rep 1,425 Posts Drives: -F85 X5M- Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Derby City iTrader: (0)	You could put the M5 stock summer tires on a Jeep, Range Rover, etc. and drive them in the same snowy conditions with the same result. __________________ 2017 X5M - Current 2017 F31 Wagon - Current 2014 M5 ZCP - Retired 2011 135i Coupe - Retired 2007 335i Sedan - Retired
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