330Ci, how is it in the snow?

[aNoodle]

SP will not make it a little more tricky -- You will NOT be able to drive the car in any snow...

BTW I remember reading somewhere (a FAQ) that BMW does not recommend using chains on the wheels.

I'm not sure. i would imagine it has something to do with the wheel/tire configuration and clearance. They used to have them in a parts catalog and at one point I was considering buying them (but the BMW brand was so freakin' expensive). Recent E46's come with such huge wheels, different front and back, that I wouldn't be surprised they say outright "no chains."

http://www.maisenhelder.net/dave/bmw/Pictures/BMW Wheels/01/MJ2000/schneeketten2000.html

http://www.circlebmw.com/parts/e85/36110153037.htm

 

[pardi]

Ok, found it:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/faq/faq.php

"Note that BMW states that you should NOT use snow chains on the 328/330 17" rims."

 

[Nrvus]

this may be off the topic but i live in nyc where it does not snow that much. when would it be good time to switch my sp wheels with winter wheels?

 

[aNoodle]

Ok, found it:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/faq/faq.php

"Note that BMW states that you should NOT use snow chains on the 328/330 17" rims."

Gotcha...cool. Yeah, I guess it depends on the size wheels and tires. I have the 16's. If anyone's interested any more...this site has some useful info on chains...might be helpful if you have go over the Rockies in winter and don't have a neeed for full winter tires each year.

http://www.maisenhelder.net/dave/bmw/Pictures/BMW Wheels/01/MJ2000/e46_2000.htm

 

[cordelli]

I'm down in Norwalk, seems to be lots of these cars in this state.

We just got ours in August, with the sports package, and I can say without any doubt what so ever, it is absolutly the worst driving car in snow I have ever driven with those tires on it. We also have a Saab that eats snow for breakfast that we took on all the snowy days this year, but if you go sports package, then you will absolutly need another set of wheels and tires for the winter. We will be getting another set this summer, the car is insanly bad in snow.

Besides that, if you look at the sports tires wrong they go flat. Hit a pothole (not sure where in the state you are, we have a zillion down here), ruin the tire. We are on our third right front tire from what a regular tire would be able to handle. We figure with the savings in tires alone in the winter we will pay for the rims at least.

Don't get me wrong, we totally love the car, just took the hard top off Saturday, but in snow, any amount at all, you will probably need 4 snow tires.

 

[drkeng]

I was told by an Audi salesman that even with quattro if you get the sport package (A6), you need snow tires.
I have also heard that you can get the winter tires 1 inch smaller, so if you have 18s for summer, you can get 17 inch snow tires, obviously with their own rims. As others have said previously, it's better for the tires and avoids damage to the rims during the switch.

 

[frolf]

AWD doesn't do crap if you have summer shoes on, thats just that.

you can go as small as you want on your wheels as long as you still clear the caliper.

 

[Average Jae]

this may be off the topic but i live in nyc where it does not snow that much. when would it be good time to switch my sp wheels with winter wheels?

when the temp drops below 40F. unless you know the temp will shoot back up to 60-70s the week after.. you'd melt yer snows right off..

the nice sticky high perf summers become nice hard pucks as temps start to drop. you don't just need the snows for the snow, but also for handling in the cold temps.

 

[Average Jae]

I'm actually doing a 3 year lease. This is my first BMW, so I'm starting with a lease and moving up to a 4 in 2007 when they come out (or a 6 maybe...) in 3 years. So, can I just put snow tires on the existing rims? I mean, I know it would be better to buy separate rims, but there's a place here where I live that if you buy snow tires from them they'll change them over for you free of charge each year. .

if they'll mount, dismount for free every season, with no other fees, that may make just buying snows no brain choice for you.. esp w/ a lease. (the biggest reason for purchasing dedicated snow rims is the cost associated w/ mount/dismount. along w/ hacking up your nice rims..)