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      09-15-2012, 06:48 PM   #1
7thGear
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Z4 winter driving

When shod with winter tires, how does the Z4 handle on snow-packed roads and ice? Is this a car that one could use as a daily driver during the winter months in a place that gets a fair amount of snow? Please share your experiences.
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      09-15-2012, 07:01 PM   #2
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I daily drive my z4. Last winter in NJ, we had like only 2 or 3 storms of which only 1 was ridiculous that I could not drive. The other two were manageable. I usually run a winter setup. OEM wheels on blizzaks. Handles well enough to drive here. Idk how the weather out by you is. Honestly, its better not to risk it, not because the car can't manage but because of the other drivers and the surroundings which could pose a threat to YOU.

I usually mount my blizzaks by early october tbh
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      09-15-2012, 10:30 PM   #3
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I am in Chicago and my Z4 is a daily driver. My commute is only 2 miles, but I have no problems when leaving town with it. I use a dealership to swap out summer tires for snow tires. You should keep in mind that Illinois is very flat and our highways are kept well groomed.
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      09-17-2012, 02:25 PM   #4
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I live in northern Italy and in my country is required by law driving with winter tyres.
So, I use a set of Nokian WR-G2 from october to february.

With the snow, no problem nor with my old E85 3.0i neither with E89 35i.
In a couple of occasions I found ice... Better walking...
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      09-18-2012, 03:07 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 7thGear
When shod with winter tires, how does the Z4 handle on snow-packed roads and ice? Is this a car that one could use as a daily driver during the winter months in a place that gets a fair amount of snow? Please share your experiences.
It shouldn't be an issue for driving in the snow - in moderation. Obviously, the one factor you have to consider in Colorado is the ground clearance of the Z4 and snow depth. As far as how it would handle in the snow, should be the same as any rear wheel driven car or truck. Snow tires would help with traction, beyond that, I dunno!
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      09-18-2012, 08:03 PM   #6
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I think its fine if you are mostly on flat streets that get plowed and sanded. You have to switch to winter tires obviously.

If there are inclines or unplowed streets I personally wouldn't risk it.

EDIT: I used to live in Toronto and Chicago.
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      09-18-2012, 08:47 PM   #7
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I think I'll be alright. 95% of my driving is in the Denver 'burbs, and the metro area really doesn't get a lot of snow. One or two big storms a year maybe, but I don't go out in those in ANY car. I only would drive on plowed streets. An occasional trip into the foothills, but most of the time the roads are dry anyway. With a set of Blizzaks I'll get by just fine I think.
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      09-18-2012, 11:31 PM   #8
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I would share my experience but this is my first year, not even a year just 4 months, I replaced the stock run flats for the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus. Love these tires, absorbs the bumps of the gowanus expressway, the FDR and New York City in general very well. And that was what I was looking for in a tire, a little more comfort without sacrificing too much in handling and feel.

I digress, considering the past couple of years here in the New York metropolitan area, bad snow storms are maybe 1-2 weeks. We'll see how these michelin all season tires coped in the winter.

Last edited by cjwb1984; 09-18-2012 at 11:44 PM..
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      09-19-2012, 01:24 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 7thGear View Post
With a set of Blizzaks I'll get by just fine I think.
I had the Blizzak LM25 RFT on my last car in the 205/55/16 OE recommended size. Solid tire. Didn't have the annoying squishy feel when turning into a corner due to the stiff sidewalls. I would get them again if I needed winter tires
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      01-10-2013, 09:42 AM   #10
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Fine with snow!

Hi,

Winter is here and I thought my experience might help.

I am living in the mountain (elevation over 1000 m/3300 feet) and we usually get a lot of snow in winter;
we can easily get more than 16 inches of snow a night. I was a little bit worried before buying the car, but finally everything is fine with snow tires.

I am driving the Z4 everyday and I can tell you it passes with flying colors!
I drive down the mountain, then drive up and no problem. Trucks are clearing the road a bit, but it can still be covered by few inches of snow.

Of course you need to be careful when driving, not the same way to drive, but with right tires you can be confident in the car, even if it is a propulsion.
It might even be fun if you know how to drive and control how you slip in turns.
However, be careful on black ice! Snow tires or not, propulsion or not, it can be very dangerous.

My tires are Continental WinterContact TS 830P 255/35R18 92V XL and TS 830P 225/40 R18 92V XL.
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      01-14-2013, 07:56 AM   #11
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I drove a previous E85 in the winter quite a bit with Blizzaks and it did great. Had an issue with ground clearance once or twice but other than that no problem.
I just put on a set of 18" 225 width Pilot Alpines on my new E89 yesterday. We'll see how that works out. I can tell you so far the dry handling is much better than any Blizzaks I have used.
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      01-14-2013, 09:57 AM   #12
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I haven't driven mine here in Geneva yet in the snow. Lucky enough it is only snow packed here a week MAX here and the roads are usual salted and graveled in a timely fashion. As for taking the car out of the city and into the Alps I will forget that dream till mid spring.
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      01-14-2013, 10:51 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VailM3 View Post
I haven't driven mine here in Geneva yet in the snow. Lucky enough it is only snow packed here a week MAX here and the roads are usual salted and graveled in a timely fashion. As for taking the car out of the city and into the Alps I will forget that dream till mid spring.
Leaving in Switzerland, you can easily take your car into the mountain (even Alps) if you have right tires.
I am driving on a daily basis with it in Jura and everything is fine for now, even when few inches of snow in front of my garage door.
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      01-14-2013, 04:14 PM   #14
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I dont worry about snow in the winter. I simply cannot stand having to change the tires plus the added expense.

Oh yeah did i mention i live in florida where the last time it snowed here was like back in 1976? just kidding so dont kill me.
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      01-15-2013, 04:37 AM   #15
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In Florida ... I am jealous, perfect place for a convertible.

It snowed this night where I am living and roads were covered this morning.
Results: accidents, cars on the roof, trucks stuck, cars in trees .. and the Z4 took it easily!
People are even a bit shocked to see a roadster in the street with this weather.

Advice on snow:
It is better to use manual shifting mode and start with the 2nd gear, never use the 1st gear on snow and shift at 2k revs max (or even before).
Usual other advices are still valid (turn slowly, carefully use the break, accelerate slowly, etc.)
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      01-15-2013, 04:50 AM   #16
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I dont drive my Baby in Winter, simply because of the amount of Salt they throw on the roads in my area, it is absolutely nuts!




But other than that, whenever I took it out for a spin in the snow it was absolutely well behaved and not problematic at all.
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      01-15-2013, 07:52 AM   #17
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Interesting SchweiZ4. Today in Geneva it snowed so hard that even the buses couldn't run. I would hate to take the Z4 out in snow packed roads. I either need to hibernate it ore get winter tires. I hate to get salt on it though and buses are great in town.
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      01-15-2013, 09:14 AM   #18
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You don't know what you're missing until you've driven it in snow.
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      01-15-2013, 09:32 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VailM3 View Post
Interesting SchweiZ4. Today in Geneva it snowed so hard that even the buses couldn't run. I would hate to take the Z4 out in snow packed roads. I either need to hibernate it ore get winter tires. I hate to get salt on it though and buses are great in town.
Totally, the weather today and related issues are incredible.
Unfortunately (and fortunately), I don't have choice to use my car to go to my office. No public transportation can bring me there.
For salt, you are right, it needs to be cleaned more often and especially under the car from time to time.
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      01-15-2013, 10:34 PM   #20
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Put real snow tires on and you will be well above most other cars on the road. So, you won't hit them, but they may hit you. Of course, that can happen in the summer too.
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