[sidewaysm2]

Originally Posted by baj_baj

Works just fine, slides great, just good tires and be careful scraping the oil cooler on ice!

Image isn’t loading for me unfortunately, but sounds great!! Excited!

[sidewaysm2]

Originally Posted by DrewNewM2

All seasons probably aren’t the best choice for a high performance vehicle like this. Need Max summer grip in summer and performance winters in winter. Two sets required. Even on my AWD Subarus.

Yes you will get by with all seasons just like my wife does with her A4 but it’s not ideal.

All seasons just make sense if your area doesn’t have extreme weather and you are driving a non performance car. Otherwise waster of driving experience

[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by Carefree

I am.
Sport 4S
Every day.

Just want to say, great pic

Originally Posted by M_Chronos

Just being sure we don't think the 4S means 4 season or all season in any way.

But confusingly, Michelin does make the Pilot Sport A/S 4. Which is a 4 season "ultra performance" tire. Not a snow tire, but can handle colder temps. Would work for those who park their car in winter and take them out for drives on dry cold days...

I have nothing to add other than being in New England, I use dedicated summer tires and winter tires. Winter tires also go on all "AWD" vehicles (miss my old WRX, what a hoot in snow) but not 4WD vehicles. I have driven an M3 for many winters, and planning on driving this M2 through the winter as well on studless winter tires with no issues...BUT if its a 1-2 footer of a storm (like 2-3-2 mentioned), then I will take the family truckster (Ford Expedition) as in that much snow it is possible to get high centered (beached), especially when lowered, not fun.

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by two_three_two

life is too short to spend 5 months a year tooling around in a mommy mobile or cash for clunkers candidate.

the recommendation for a winter beater for "the price of a set of winter wheels and tires" is ignorant in a couple respects. one, that piece of shit is going to be several orders of magnitude less safe than a brand new BMW. you think i am putting my wife and newborn in a 5k craigslist SUV? lol. further, a safe winter car still needs winter tires regardless of size or wheels driven. cant stress that enough. finally, maintaining yet another car is not something most people have interest in, which only compounds the first point. my wife has an SUV as her car. still gets summers and winter dedicated tires. doing anything else is cheap and lazy.

to the point of other idiots driving in the snow, yeah, this is true, but you can say that about almost anything at any time. my Z car has one airbag. many classic cars have zero. driving those are a calculated risks, too. obviously the safest thing to do during snow is simply not drive. you cannot ever account for another persons actions or how they maintain their vehicle. however, properly equipped, an M2 is going to fare better than just about any vehicle on ratty old all season tires (like majority of the driving public have). its not an exotic car, its an incredibly safe, modern car with an advanced LSD. the only limitation here is RWD, ride height, and being a baby.

For some it is less about safety and more about not exposing the car to super harsh road salts on the East Coast. That's how I keep my E92 M3 clean as day one for a decade. I'll dirty my Cayenne with road salts all day any day because 1) it was designed for it and 2) I don't care much for it, but not my babe M2.

[KC87ZB]

I'm in the camp of not driving my M2 when the weather is poor. For me that means snow/ice on the roads (or the potential to have) or excess salt on the roads. If it is just cold the summer tires will get you around just fine, just don't be stupid.

I have what I lovingly refer to as the sh!tbox, a 2008 toyota Rav4 that I drive on the days I don't drive the M2, trips to HD or to get fertilizer and is set up to take the dogs to the park. It may have cost a bit more than a set of wheels and snow tires but not much.

I grew up in Iowa driving on snow in the winter with rear wheel drive cars. I'm not afraid to drive the M2 in the snow but I don't trust others. The risk just isn't worth the reward, for me.

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by DrewNewM2

I’d take that R35 with some winter tires.

No way, maintenance is bad enough on an R35, can you imagine if anything were to rust?!?!?!

[baege]

I drove my F87 M2C through 2 winters. I had PA4s which have good dry handling but meh snow capability. I didnt have to commute. I wouldnt go out if there was more than 2 inches. I tried that once and it was a bit dicey but again thats on PA4s

its not a g87 but similar high powered front engine rwd drive car so maybe helpful

I am of the camp that its better to drive a fun cool car all year round than to drive it 7 months and then drive a POS for 5 months, but again I dont have to commute

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

For some it is less about safety and more about not exposing the car to super harsh road salts on the East Coast. That's how I keep my E92 M3 clean as day one for a decade. I'll dirty my Cayenne with road salts all day any day because 1) it was designed for it and 2) I don't care much for it, but not my babe M2.

yep, rust is the only thing that really comes into my purview of long term concern. modern factory rustproofing is quite good, the use of aluminum is fairly extensive (IIRC most of the suspension components are aluminum as well), and washing the underbody regularly helps... its a mild concern, but likely minimized to the point of insignificance by being diligent about cleaning.

[luckylingy]

I'm monitoring this thread for how M2 owners approach driving in (real) winter weather conditions.

I commute 50 miles/day, 6 days/week, where it snows 100"/season on average. It's not uncommon for the first few miles to be unplowed in early mornings. I relish those occasions to play in the snow. To wit, my M235ix from a few years back, after plowing 15" of fresh powder for a mile, without a hiccup ..

I prefer a single, do-it-all vehicle (currently an X3M) to fair- or foul-weather specialists, as I don't have the garage space or head space to manage a fleet. Ideally the next ride will be a G87, for a last shot at driving a new BMW with a manual transmission. Tire and traction control have advanced the game, so I have few qualms. Opinions?

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by luckylingy

I'm monitoring this thread for how M2 owners approach driving in (real) winter weather conditions.

I commute 50 miles/day, 6 days/week, where it snows 100"/season on average. It's not uncommon for the first few miles to be unplowed in early mornings. I relish those occasions to play in the snow. To wit, my M235ix from a few years back, after plowing 15" of fresh powder for a mile, without a hiccup ..

I prefer a single, do-it-all vehicle (currently an X3M) to fair- or foul-weather specialists, as I don't have the garage space or head space to manage a fleet. Ideally the next ride will be a G87, for a last shot at driving a new BMW with a manual transmission. Tire and traction control have advanced the game, so I have few qualms. Opinions?

I currently have an X3 M Comp & it handles the snow extremely well. I'd also like to add a G87 M2 next to it someday too.

[kenkamm]

Originally Posted by Lost23

Anyone driving the M2 on Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4's this winter?

I am. But I am lucky enough to work from home. A lot of times if we get a significant amount of snow, I simply don't drive anywhere. The kids end up having off from school as well so it works out well usually.

[kenkamm]

Originally Posted by luckylingy

I'm monitoring this thread for how M2 owners approach driving in (real) winter weather conditions.

I commute 50 miles/day, 6 days/week, where it snows 100"/season on average. It's not uncommon for the first few miles to be unplowed in early mornings. I relish those occasions to play in the snow. To wit, my M235ix from a few years back, after plowing 15" of fresh powder for a mile, without a hiccup ..

I prefer a single, do-it-all vehicle (currently an X3M) to fair- or foul-weather specialists, as I don't have the garage space or head space to manage a fleet. Ideally the next ride will be a G87, for a last shot at driving a new BMW with a manual transmission. Tire and traction control have advanced the game, so I have few qualms. Opinions?

I think going from something AWD to a G87 M2 is going to be an eye-opener for you. There is so much less forward traction. You won't be plowing 15" of fresh powder, I'm afraid.

[baege]

Originally Posted by luckylingy

I'm monitoring this thread for how M2 owners approach driving in (real) winter weather conditions.

I commute 50 miles/day, 6 days/week, where it snows 100"/season on average. It's not uncommon for the first few miles to be unplowed in early mornings. I relish those occasions to play in the snow. To wit, my M235ix from a few years back, after plowing 15" of fresh powder for a mile, without a hiccup ..

I prefer a single, do-it-all vehicle (currently an X3M) to fair- or foul-weather specialists, as I don't have the garage space or head space to manage a fleet. Ideally the next ride will be a G87, for a last shot at driving a new BMW with a manual transmission. Tire and traction control have advanced the game, so I have few qualms. Opinions?

my m240i on all seasons was more confidence inspiring than my M2C on Micheln PA4s...but that might just be a function of the PA4s

perhaps if you really sacrifice dry handling and go for a winter tire that favours snow and ice traction over dry handling you might be ok...

but even my midengined caymans on winter tires were less confidence inspiring than that m240i

real wheel drive, powerful front engine is a tough combo in serious snow IMHO

[DrewNewM2]

Originally Posted by luckylingy

I'm monitoring this thread for how M2 owners approach driving in (real) winter weather conditions.

I commute 50 miles/day, 6 days/week, where it snows 100"/season on average. It's not uncommon for the first few miles to be unplowed in early mornings. I relish those occasions to play in the snow. To wit, my M235ix from a few years back, after plowing 15" of fresh powder for a mile, without a hiccup ..

I prefer a single, do-it-all vehicle (currently an X3M) to fair- or foul-weather specialists, as I don't have the garage space or head space to manage a fleet. Ideally the next ride will be a G87, for a last shot at driving a new BMW with a manual transmission. Tire and traction control have advanced the game, so I have few qualms. Opinions?

Unfortunately there aren’t many high performance AWD Manual cars left that would make sense as a single do all vehicle…. WRX, Golf R, GR Corolla, Carrera 4 GTS. Really wish BMW would offer XDrive with manual like the good old days.

I personally wouldn’t have a G87 or any high HP RWD car as my only vehicle in very snowy area.I just prefer AWD. I’ve had Subaru STis since 07 and unstoppable with performance winter tires.

[two_three_two]

I've driven many different types of vehicles through inadvisable weather conditions... being a NE skier demands that you chase the snow while it's there. here's a few of my past favorites and how they stacked up with my G87 IMHO



my 6 speed TL (FWD, LSD) on iceX tires. conventional knowledge would dictate that this setup would be better than the G87 in the snow, but i would contend that this wasnt always the case. while the wheelbase was similar to the G87, the car felt much longer than the 7 or so inches it has on the BMW, with was not helpful in tight quarter, boxed in by snowbanks maneuvering. the manual was also sort of difficult to drive because there was very little torque down low, so you'd have to give the car way more throttle to get moving, meaning power was a bit harder to modulate and resulted in more wheelspin in the snow than you'd expect. further, being it was FWD, you couldn't just pile sand in the trunk to help with traction. i also had it lowered a bit, which rendered it very susceptible to high centering. it wasnt terrible, but wasn't a fantastic setup for snow. i'd rate it below, all things considered, the G87.



next, 6 speed B8 S4 on blizzaks. goes without saying this was the best of the bunch, probably best i ever owned, better than my WRXs and STI due to the powerband. and yet i was getting stuck or in dicey situations more often than any other. why? you feel invincible, is really the answer. you go out in weather you have no business driving in, and try dumb shit you never would in another car. 24" snow bank? lets see if i can get through it. (cracked my front lip doing this). 20 degree frozen incline? what the hell. forecast for 3 feet? full fucking send. ground clearance and radar jammers (fragile) were really the only weak points. in relation to the G87, it was about twice as capable in the deep snow, but for the 98% of the time in snow conditions, such as under 1' of unplowed roads or unpaved roads that were covered in hardpack, it really was all the same.



lastly... G87. only one winter under my belt here. as i have noted in previous posts, ground clearance continues to be the main problem. one nice thing RWD is that you can simply pile sand (or whatever you prefer) in the trunk for some additional traction and then dump it when you get to your destination. i've done this a few times, where i'll buy sandbags from a gas station off an exit, do what i need to do on unplowed or otherwise slippery roads, and then donate them back to that same gas station (or someone else who needs it). for best results, you need to turn TC off to prevent the car from cutting power, and let the LSD sort it out, which really is magic in the snow just as it is on the track. downsides? ill be luck to get 10k miles out of these rear tires. people look at you like a lunatic. you can't blast through two feet of snow like you could in a truck.

all in all... unless you are deranged and hellbent on driving through absolute monster snowstorms and unplowed roads, you will be fine.

[M2M3M3]

Originally Posted by two_three_two

I've driven many different types of vehicles through inadvisable weather conditions... being a NE skier demands that you chase the snow while it's there. here's a few of my past favorites and how they stacked up with my G87 IMHO

Attachment 3614698

my 6 speed TL (FWD, LSD) on iceX tires. conventional knowledge would dictate that this setup would be better than the G87 in the snow, but i would contend that this wasnt always the case. while the wheelbase was similar to the G87, the car felt much longer than the 7 or so inches it has on the BMW, with was not helpful in tight quarter, boxed in by snowbanks maneuvering. the manual was also sort of difficult to drive because there was very little torque down low, so you'd have to give the car way more throttle to get moving, meaning power was a bit harder to modulate and resulted in more wheelspin in the snow than you'd expect. further, being it was FWD, you couldn't just pile sand in the trunk to help with traction. i also had it lowered a bit, which rendered it very susceptible to high centering. it wasnt terrible, but wasn't a fantastic setup for snow. i'd rate it below, all things considered, the G87.

Attachment 3614706

next, 6 speed B8 S4 on blizzaks. goes without saying this was the best of the bunch, probably best i ever owned, better than my WRXs and STI due to the powerband. and yet i was getting stuck or in dicey situations more often than any other. why? you feel invincible, is really the answer. you go out in weather you have no business driving in, and try dumb shit you never would in another [...]

Lol... having to add sand to the trunk of a 2 ton car for more traction.....

[two_three_two]

Originally Posted by M2M3M3

Lol... having to add sand to the trunk of a 2 ton car for more traction.....

gets the job done. perhaps you're more of an ingots of precious metals guy, you do you.

[M2M3M3]

Originally Posted by two_three_two

gets the job done. perhaps you're more of an ingots of precious metals guy, you do you.

You apparently missed the irony/punchline. G87 is a ridiculously fat car.... adding even more weight is the lol...

But i didn't need to add sand to my 2500lb e30 with snow tires...😎

You do you 👍🙂

[M2Cmtl]

Drove my M2C through two Canadian winters and it was fine. I just wouldn’t do it if I had to commute. For the 3-4 days of real snowstorms, the car would stay parked. I’m ordering a G97 in January. Will report back next year!

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

I’m in Denver winter #6 in my F87. Armed with blizzaks the car is unstoppable in 6 inches or less. I rarely think twice about it. Much more snow than that I’d likely choose to stay home anyway, regardless of what car I owned.

When I venture out I do carry a small shovel and a tub of rock/sand in the trunk in case I slide somewhere I need help getting out of.

That all said, RWD + winter snow = drifting season…she’s as much fun driving in the winter as pushing her grip in the summer. I’ll take the year round fun as opposed to a boring winter beater any day. We don’t salt our roads here, so I understand why those on the east coast garage their cars in the winter.

To each their own and whatever you find safest.

[luckylingy]

Thanks for the early feedback. Fortunately I have time to decide between RWD manual and xDrive auto before my current lease expires. I neglected to mention the G82 xDrive which preceded this X3M, so I have an educated guess how the all-paw G87 will drive. Part of me wants to rekindle the manual transmission experience one last time.

[LRSD]

I recently purchased a GR Corolla while waiting on delivery of my g87 tp manual.
The Miata gets a break this winter.