Snow & running the M5 (e39) in the winter
Discussion
I bought an M5 back in June and obviously now we're getting into the colder weather and such like, I'm wondering what/when i should be doing to get the best from the car in the snow.
A friend has an E46 and I have seen this in the snow (with correct tyres) and it seemed to cope really well.
Given my location (Scotland) and the fact we have plans to do alot of skiing over the winter, I want to be as well equipped as possible to be able to run the car without too much fretting.
Just wandered what other people have done in the past with theirs and what results or tips they have. I have bought a set of the smaller Style 66 rims, but as yet have not got any winter/snow tyres for them so any help appreciated guys!
A friend has an E46 and I have seen this in the snow (with correct tyres) and it seemed to cope really well.
Given my location (Scotland) and the fact we have plans to do alot of skiing over the winter, I want to be as well equipped as possible to be able to run the car without too much fretting.
Just wandered what other people have done in the past with theirs and what results or tips they have. I have bought a set of the smaller Style 66 rims, but as yet have not got any winter/snow tyres for them so any help appreciated guys!
Oh any excuse to post pictures of my beast! It did move in the snow, initially then got stuck, see below this is stuck and you can see barely three inches of the white stuff. There it stayed for three weeks while I went to the station on the Hayabusa. That is not fun.
Ive now bought a £500 landy for the winter, but it doesnt have a roof I never like to make things too easy!
Ive now bought a £500 landy for the winter, but it doesnt have a roof I never like to make things too easy!
Any car, be it rear wheel drive front wheel drive or a 4x4 when shod with decent winter tyres can be driven with confidence in snow, on frosty roads and bad weather.
I would if possible go for a slightly narrower wheel and then swap wheels and tyres in March / April when the temperature approaches 8-9c day and night.
Winter tyres are not silly money but do make an amazing difference to the driveability of a car in poor weather.
I would if possible go for a slightly narrower wheel and then swap wheels and tyres in March / April when the temperature approaches 8-9c day and night.
Winter tyres are not silly money but do make an amazing difference to the driveability of a car in poor weather.
belleair302 said:
Winter tyres are not silly money but do make an amazing difference to the driveability of a car in poor weather.
depends where you shop - I noticed my local dealer has a promotion on winter tyres so asked them for a quote - of course they do not do winter tyres for my wheels so it would mean new alloys as well - total bill just under £2000!I like the landrover solution!
Maybe I should dig the cossie out, it's 4WD... ;-)
On a more serious note i'll definately being going the winter tyre route, just need to find the best setup/tyre for the job, i did price some tyres and was in the region of £150/corner, alot if your only using them for a few months, but I budgeted for that when i bought the car.
On a more serious note i'll definately being going the winter tyre route, just need to find the best setup/tyre for the job, i did price some tyres and was in the region of £150/corner, alot if your only using them for a few months, but I budgeted for that when i bought the car.
Good thinking on the winter tyres!
I have used my M5 for the last 4 winters with winter tyres, same set up as you, with 17" style 66 wheels (non staggered) with 235/45/17 Dunlop M3 Winter Sport. Very good tyre, now succeeded by the Dunlop 3D Winter Sport that I will put on next time.
The M5 can be used in all conditions that winter can come up with once properly equipped with winter tyres, and has excellent balance and easily judged reactions to steering inputs.
I have used my M5 for the last 4 winters with winter tyres, same set up as you, with 17" style 66 wheels (non staggered) with 235/45/17 Dunlop M3 Winter Sport. Very good tyre, now succeeded by the Dunlop 3D Winter Sport that I will put on next time.
The M5 can be used in all conditions that winter can come up with once properly equipped with winter tyres, and has excellent balance and easily judged reactions to steering inputs.
x5x3 said:
belleair302 said:
Winter tyres are not silly money but do make an amazing difference to the driveability of a car in poor weather.
depends where you shop - I noticed my local dealer has a promotion on winter tyres so asked them for a quote - of course they do not do winter tyres for my wheels so it would mean new alloys as well - total bill just under £2000!I like the landrover solution!
Later this year I will be scanning the classifieds for a cheap AWD vehicle for the winter if there is snow like last year.
In addition to it being far better than the M3 can ever be in the snow, I won't have to worry as much about the flotsam piroetting close to my paintwork on every journey.
Rog B said:
I bought an M5 back in June and obviously now we're getting into the colder weather and such like, I'm wondering what/when i should be doing to get the best from the car in the snow.
A friend has an E46 and I have seen this in the snow (with correct tyres) and it seemed to cope really well.
Given my location (Scotland) and the fact we have plans to do alot of skiing over the winter, I want to be as well equipped as possible to be able to run the car without too much fretting.
Just wandered what other people have done in the past with theirs and what results or tips they have. I have bought a set of the smaller Style 66 rims, but as yet have not got any winter/snow tyres for them so any help appreciated guys!
Hi Rog, what colour is your M5? I think I might have seen you about in Aberdeen, my one is jet black.A friend has an E46 and I have seen this in the snow (with correct tyres) and it seemed to cope really well.
Given my location (Scotland) and the fact we have plans to do alot of skiing over the winter, I want to be as well equipped as possible to be able to run the car without too much fretting.
Just wandered what other people have done in the past with theirs and what results or tips they have. I have bought a set of the smaller Style 66 rims, but as yet have not got any winter/snow tyres for them so any help appreciated guys!
How's it going? Car is "Velvet blue" which is an individual option, sometimes looks blue, sometimes looks purple, can't quite decide! I've seen a couple of black ones about, V*** FEU and a one with an M5 plate also.
Here's a pic (back when the weather was nice!)
Here's a pic (back when the weather was nice!)
Edited by Rog B on Thursday 30th September 08:42
Ritchie335is said:
Rog B said:
I bought an M5 back in June and obviously now we're getting into the colder weather and such like, I'm wondering what/when i should be doing to get the best from the car in the snow.
A friend has an E46 and I have seen this in the snow (with correct tyres) and it seemed to cope really well.
Given my location (Scotland) and the fact we have plans to do alot of skiing over the winter, I want to be as well equipped as possible to be able to run the car without too much fretting.
Just wandered what other people have done in the past with theirs and what results or tips they have. I have bought a set of the smaller Style 66 rims, but as yet have not got any winter/snow tyres for them so any help appreciated guys!
Hi Rog, what colour is your M5? I think I might have seen you about in Aberdeen, my one is jet black.A friend has an E46 and I have seen this in the snow (with correct tyres) and it seemed to cope really well.
Given my location (Scotland) and the fact we have plans to do alot of skiing over the winter, I want to be as well equipped as possible to be able to run the car without too much fretting.
Just wandered what other people have done in the past with theirs and what results or tips they have. I have bought a set of the smaller Style 66 rims, but as yet have not got any winter/snow tyres for them so any help appreciated guys!
How's it going mate?
I've joined the fray too. Bought my Silverstone '00 car a couple of weeks ago. Won't have it in ABZ much, but if I see you I'll be sure to give you a wave
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