M5 in the snow

[Wdh777]

How is the m5 in snow? I would like to use it this winter in the New York area with snow tires. I probably wouldn't use it in major storms but the day after with roads plowed but snow still on them would it be fine? I also have the competition package which probably doesn't help matters. Thanks

[RPiM5]

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthr...ght=snow+tires

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthr...ght=snow+tires

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthr...ght=snow+tires

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthr...ght=snow+tires

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthr...ght=snow+tires

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthr...ght=snow+tires

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthr...ght=snow+tires

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthr...ght=snow+tires

[MSportDC]

Originally Posted by Wdh777

How is the m5 in snow? I would like to use it this winter in the New York area with snow tires. I probably wouldn't use it in major storms but the day after with roads plowed but snow still on them would it be fine? I also have the competition package which probably doesn't help matters. Thanks

You probably could get away with <3 inches with snow tires. Without snow tires, fuh-get about it.

[Wdh777]

How about just cold weather but no snow. On a 20-25 degree day are the factory tires still bad enough you need snow tires just in the cold?

[Wdh777]

Also, has anyone gone with the BMW winter tire set up? I believe the dealers offer a winter tire set up option although I can't find it on the site currently?

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by Wdh777

How about just cold weather but no snow. On a 20-25 degree day are the factory tires still bad enough you need snow tires just in the cold?

Once the temps outside start getting like below 15 degrees F, then the compound of the PSS's start to be affected. I've raced on a racetrack with the stock Michelin PSS's in temps below 32F, and the level of grip was unaffected. However, having the tires exposed either on the car or not on the car and just sitting outside to freezing temps for long periods of time, say months on end, the treadwear ability of the tire decreases. The PSS's are good tires to drive in below freezing temps on dry pavement only. On ice or snow, they are practically unusable, and if you try, you will crash the car.

[PatrickC23]

I would say get winter tires, no doubt. You will be fine as long as you dont drive in big storms. I wouldnt want to drive on PSS tires in the cold weather though, they will freeze up.

That being said I just sold my winter tires and got a Jeep - felt bad for the M with all that sand and salt.

[Blackraven]

For Winter Tyres, choose these:

-Nokian Tires
-Continental ContiWinterContact
-Bridgestone Blizzak

[M5Rlz]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Once the temps outside start getting like below 15 degrees F, then the compound of the PSS's start to be affected. I've raced on a racetrack with the stock Michelin PSS's in temps below 32F, and the level of grip was unaffected. However, having the tires exposed either on the car or not on the car and just sitting outside to freezing temps for long periods of time, say months on end, the treadwear ability of the tire decreases. The PSS's are good tires to drive in below freezing temps on dry pavement only. On ice or snow, they are practically unusable, and if you try, you will crash the car.

Oh shush.. We had 0-5degree temps for multiple days I made it through fine around here last winter with the m5 certainly you will die if you try to drive it like its summer. But causal, safe cautious driving. It'll be fine up to 1-2inches then your done.



Thats on summers with 40-60% tread left

I climbed two mountains in those conditions and it only got worse took me 2.5hrs to get 40 miles but still, I'm here speaking to you today...

Lets not forget the supersports have very good wet ratings, and our cars with passengers weigh almost if not more than 5000lbs. I think the best thing for anyone to do is to get winter tires, but the car performs remarkably well for light winter conditions.. Above 60+ you can mash it and hook fine.. 30+ eh better know what you're doing

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by 335iRlz

Oh shush.. We had 0-5degree temps for multiple days I made it through fine around here last winter with the m5 certainly you will die if you try to drive it like its summer. But causal, safe cautious driving. It'll be fine up to 1-2inches then your done.



Thats on summers with 40-60% tread left

That picture brings back bad memories. Brrrrrr!

[M5Rlz]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

That picture brings back bad memories. Brrrrrr!

lol I thought i was done that was mile 7 into a 47 mile trip. I told my buddy one the phone this is not good. My traction light was all over the place climbing that.

[bobblehead]

wow. if you guys are driving in snowy conditions with summer, I got to say, "Brave" and hope you don't cause misery to other drivers on the road.

I drove mine with just one summer (rear driving wheel) on last winter due to a flat tire and it was rock solid hard and no traction at all.

[M5Rlz]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

wow. if you guys are driving in snowy conditions with summer, I got to say, "Brave" and hope you don't cause misery to other drivers on the road.

I drove mine with just one summer (rear driving wheel) on last winter due to a flat tire and it was rock solid hard and no traction at all.

yeah I was doing top speed runs in the 0-30 degree temps traction light goes nuts longer in MDM but again its far from like the post apocalyptic scenarios you hear on these forums about driving without proper setup.

Its far from ideal but as equally far from catastrophic. I will say I never came to a complete stop that trip and am curious if I could have gotten moving... Once I made it to the highway changing lances was awful since it was all piled up in the centers, and my slowest stoping speed getting back going was a tad challenging.

As for the picture above I didn't go out looking to drive I was away from home and it called for rain that day.. When flakes started showing up I tried to get home as fast as possible [wasn't fast enough ]

[M5Rlz]

I drove through it all lol

sub 25 degrees the supersports above 80 feel weightless like when you're going REALLLLY fast in summer conditions.

[mwlmd]

Driving these cars in freezing conditions with summer tires is nothing to brag about.

It's analagous to saying you spent a week in Bangkok without using condoms and didn't catch anything. So it must be ok right?

[M5Rlz]

No and its not bragging... It's saying that if you drive in sub ideal conditions as long as you adjust reaction time and other conditions accordingly you could certainly make it through a winter fine... And simply pointing out to the OMG world will end if you drove it on a Sunny day when it's 15degrees crowd that it's simply incorrect.

I'd also note there are plenty of days at least 8 that I went no where as a precaution.

The tires preform quiet well and while serious limitations arise in anymore snow than pictured above, and especially ice. If you pick your days when you go out it's quiet capable. Again we aren't talking about a 3300lb Z06. This car with drivers and passengers and a full tank is 5000lbs lol

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by mwlmd

Driving these cars in freezing conditions with summer tires is nothing to brag about.

It's analagous to saying you spent a week in Bangkok without using condoms and didn't catch anything. So it must be ok right?

How'd you know I was in Bangkok?!

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

How'd you know I was in Bangkok?!

A tale as old as time...

[E90potentialbuyer]

So, with the bad snow and snow storms that we get here in NYC, even with winter tires, the M5 should not be driven?

That is a bit of a downer. I am planning on having it as my only car (can't keep more than 1 car even if I wanted to given the space restrictions in my condo building).

NYC drivers - thoughts? How was your car last winter? Did you drive it in bad weather or didn't drive it when it was bad snow? Thanks,

[Wdh777]

I live just north of NYC which is why I asked the original question. Hopefully with winter tires it will at least get me to the train station in snow and around on weekends once the streets are plowed. I assume do you guys drive it in D1 mode vs shifting for yourself in these condiitions?

[WCH]

With snow tires you can drive the car as long as you are cautious and the roads are plowed.

The 19" package uses 408M wheels.

The challenge for some is that most US dealers don't have snow tire packages for cars with CCB. There is a European package with 409M (20 in) but this is not available in the US. One can use 343M fronts in all positions with 255/35/20 snow tires but it is expensive (~$6000).

[M5Rlz]

Originally Posted by E90potentialbuyer

So, with the bad snow and snow storms that we get here in NYC, even with winter tires, the M5 should not be driven?

That is a bit of a downer. I am planning on having it as my only car (can't keep more than 1 car even if I wanted to given the space restrictions in my condo building).

NYC drivers - thoughts? How was your car last winter? Did you drive it in bad weather or didn't drive it when it was bad snow? Thanks,

I wouldn't do it in NYC, just knowing your guys winters... Unless you know you can take days, weeks, etc. off from having to go anywhere and can plan accordingly.

In the picture above with snow if you added an inch or two of accumulation I think I'd have been done or wrecked. Even going down and up hills with 2+ of PACKED plowed accumulation was challenging and I wouldn't attempt.

If its just really cold sub 32... It should be fine just don't tailgate or gun it too much as traction and stopping was different.

Bottom line: If like here in DC where its 50-50 what kind of winter you have I'd risk it knowing a week or two worth of days inside is a safe assumption you'll make it out ok, but up there where its like 80-20 you'll see big snows/ice/etc. then I'd have gotten the $4200 tire package from bmw for the 19'' wheels.

Originally Posted by Wdh777

I live just north of NYC which is why I asked the original question. Hopefully with winter tires it will at least get me to the train station in snow and around on weekends once the streets are plowed. I assume do you guys drive it in D1 mode vs shifting for yourself in these condiitions?

I drove efficient, comfort, comfort, tranny 1.