[PatientM]

Hi Everyone,
The last post got me thinking, can you take an M3 X drive comp to Tahoe or any other snow resort? Was thinking of picking up a little SUV as well but if I can save the money and switch from 6spd to awd maybe that's better idea?

Thanks!

[astroricardo]

don't know, but I would think you at least need snow or all season tires. Stock tires will be pretty useless in the snow

[forumlurker]

Pretty sure i've seen another forum member post their G80 in the snow : jpsimon

[Aalfred]

If you have a AWD with PA5 snow tires, pretty sure, its just like anyother sedan with snow. U can def take them. If u have a lot of stuff to carry, then an SUV might be better. Ive heard the AWD in M3 is better than the regular Xdrive

[Forzanerazzurri]

Of course you can. Ski resorts existed long before SUVs were introduced.

[rak299]

You are supposed to carry chains and there are no chains that will clear the wheel wells. They do make some sort of snow socks that may or may not be legal for that purpose.

[Draper]

On a normal day, sure.

Christmas 2021, no.

[KANdaddy]

With the proper tires, yes.

[NorCalAthlete]

Yes, but you absolutely need at least M+S rated all season tires, preferably M+S plus 3-peak mountain symbol.

To my current knowledge there are no chain options available for these either, so while you can carry them in the trunk to comply with the letter of the law with regard to chain control checkpoints, you won't be able to mount them without damaging your car. Realistically, any weather bad enough that the checkpoints force you to stop and put chains on is bad enough to not be driving in to begin with, even in a truck / SUV.

[NorCalAthlete]

See thread here:

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1836016

[Limegrntaln]

The last sentence is the most important sentence. Interestingly enough, I was talking to the service dept, about tires, yesterday, and they said, they make nothing for our cars, and chains, or cables aren't made to be used with the 826M wheels. The last CalTrans sentence basically tells you that you can't, or shouldn't take the G80 to the snow, as they make no chains to fit it. You will get checked at the chain checkpoints to see if you're carrying a set of chains. And going up there, and just trying to get a set on the way, is like buying a $20 beer at a baseball game. Expensive, and the line is long.

Parts Dept yesterday: So, basically, if you're going to the snow. Take an SUV. Also, as a reminder the xDrive BMW SUVs aren't SUV, they're SAVs.

https://suvhelp.com/sav-vs-suv/

[bk_g80_m3]

https://autosock.us/california/

Maybe autosocks would fit? They are approved by CA instead of chains.

So maybe if you had the right tires and these auto socks it might work.

[Gfit]

Sure. The one thing I would consider is ground clearance. The roads have to be plowed well with just a coating on the road or risk getting bogged down and damage to front lower bumper pieces and side skirts.

[Draper]

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

The last sentence is the most important sentence. Interestingly enough, I was talking to the service dept, about tires, yesterday, and they said, they make nothing for our cars, and chains, or cables aren't made to be used with the 826M wheels. The last CalTrans sentence basically tells you that you can't, or shouldn't take the G80 to the snow, as they make no chains to fit it. You will get checked at the chain checkpoints to see if you're carrying a set of chains. And going up there, and just trying to get a set on the way, is like buying a $20 beer at a baseball game. Expensive, and the line is long.

Parts Dept yesterday: So, basically, if you're going to the snow. Take an SUV. Also, as a reminder the xDrive BMW SUVs aren't SUV, they're SAVs.

https://suvhelp.com/sav-vs-suv/

It says you need to carry chains…doesn't say they need to actually fit the car.

Years ago, I drove a friend's lifted Chevy truck with 35s to Big Bear. It was a chain restriction day, and I brought along a set for a Honda Civic (or something). I flashed them at the inspection checkpoint, the guy laughed and waved me through. I remember it being a pretty great powder day.

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by Draper

It says you need to carry chains…doesn't say they need to actually fit the car.

Years ago, I drove a friend's lifted Chevy truck with 35s to Big Bear. It was a chain restriction day, and I brought along a set for a Honda Civic (or something). I flashed them at the inspection checkpoint, the guy laughed and waved me through. I remember it being a pretty great powder day.

Yeah, I can understand that. But I'd hate to get all the way up there and they become required on the trip, and I wasted hours of time.

[kiw1]

The roads here in Mammoth and from my experience Tahoe are well maintained during storms so you should be fine as long as you have all season or winter tires. Regarding chains, the requirements work on R1-R3 system. In short if they are enforcing chain control R1-R3 you need to have them and with R2-R3 you shouldn't be out there in a sports car IMHO

Personally I have a dedicated winter setup as I need to be able to travel out of town during the winter. With that said if we get a lot of snow like we did a few weeks ago (I had 3 feet plus in my yard over 2 days) then I'm going to be driving the X5

If you come up here DM as I'm always keen to meet other M driver's

[kiw1]

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

The last sentence is the most important sentence. Interestingly enough, I was talking to the service dept, about tires, yesterday, and they said, they make nothing for our cars, and chains, or cables aren't made to be used with the 826M wheels. The last CalTrans sentence basically tells you that you can't, or shouldn't take the G80 to the snow, as they make no chains to fit it. You will get checked at the chain checkpoints to see if you're carrying a set of chains. And going up there, and just trying to get a set on the way, is like buying a $20 beer at a baseball game. Expensive, and the line is long.

Parts Dept yesterday: So, basically, if you're going to the snow. Take an SUV. Also, as a reminder the xDrive BMW SUVs aren't SUV, they're SAVs.

https://suvhelp.com/sav-vs-suv/

Interesting that the image from calfrans seems to differ slightly from the R2 guidance from the truckee CHP. I.e., AWD vs. 4WD specifically

[NorCalAthlete]

Driving something like the M3/M4 xDrive up and down a mountain is different from driving it around a relatively flat city ie northern states and commuting or even northern europe commuting vs Tahoe. I've seen cars and trucks alike just lose grip in bumper to bumper traffic and slide sideways into the embankment.

[G80CQP]

look like it is hard to get snow socks for size 275/35/19 and 285/30/20, for G80 M3

[MichaelB1969]

Having been in some really bad conditions driving to Tahoe, no way I’d want to be in an M3, awd or not. With limited ground clearance and no chains, you could find yourself in a pretty hairy situation.

For flat, plowed roads with a light covering of snow, sure.

[Jcoul]

Someone should put chains on their car that would look cool as hell

[Fugly M3]

For CA R1/R2: A good all season with the AWD will be fine. A good snow tire with the AWD will be more than fine. The proper AutoSock size is AS830 for the rears and AS695 for the front - you'd probably put them on the front I'd think as front is best for snow traction and a hell of a lot easier to get on with low clearance. I've used AutoSocks and they are phenomenal overall.

For R3: Doesn't matter what you're driving, just get off the road.