330i any good in snow?

[coolmonk]

Hey folks! Looking to get an '02 330i and I'm wondering how it handles in the snow with snow tires? I currently have an '01 Lexus IS300 and it seems to do the job okay in winter. This will be my first bimmer so I will have lots of questions!!

 

[bmw046series]

Just fine, it will respond a lot different than the "other" car, just don't over compensate, and drive slow and you'll stay in control. If you get into deep snow you need to turn off traction control, but turn it back on once you get going helps keep you stable.

 

[Big Daddy]

Your Lexus is a front wheel drive car and the BMW a rear wheel drive car. With a good set of snows, Michelin Artic Alpins or Blizzaks you should do fine.

 

[frolf]

The IS300 is a rear wheel drive car. With proper tires your bmw will perform just as well in the winter, and in the summer it will out perform your is300 big time

 

[Big Daddy]

The IS300 is a rear wheel drive car. With proper tires your bmw will perform just as well in the winter, and in the summer it will out perform your is300 big time

My error, I did not know that the IS300 was RWD...cool!

 

[Pete K]

You'll be fine. I run Bridgestone Blizzaks in the winter and they've got me through some heavy blizzards in ski country. Never got stuck, never went off road.

I'm not sure why so many people are so worried about driving in snow. Up until the 80s most cars were RWD and people did just fine. 4WD is overrated.

 

[Chicago-Spike]

I know my 325xi really loves the snow now with me running Bridgestone Blizzaks. The 4wd is a different animal and you learn to drive it differently. Instead of no throttle while cornering, you feather the throttle to make the front tires pull the car into and through a corner.

 

[Average Jae]

mine's just fine in the snow w/ my snows.
i picked up pilot alpin a2. (originally wanted dunlop m3 but they were sold out..)

i suggest buying snow tires asap, before they run out. they come out once a year, and when they are gone, you'll have to wait until next year.

only problem i had with my car in snow was due to low ground clearance. one time i got stuck in my driveway while waiting for the garage door to open. there was about 4-5 inches of snow that day.

congrats on your purchase, and enjoy

 

[coolmonk]

Thanks for the replies guys. As someone else mentioned, yes my IS300 is RWD and I currently have Dunlop M3s on them. I have not driven in deep snow yet with my IS because I've only had it since last March, but in light snow the IS feels very safe. I know that the 330i will no doubt outperform the IS in the summer months...that's primarily why I bought it (and it also has an aura that the IS lacks); however, if the 330i will be as good as the IS in snow, that's all I need for reassurance.

BTW, any specific e46 years tend to be better than others or no? For example, with the IS300 the 2003-2004 models were the best of all other years from 01-05 because it had the most features and still retained LSD, whereas the 05 models didn't.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[frolf]

the only thing you gotta be careful with is clearance. if there are ruts in hard snow i always drive up on top. clearance clearance clearance!!!

 

[jcz1987]

I drive a 2003 BMW 330i and let me tell you it handles very well in snow. I took it up to my hometown when it snowed last winter about 1 ft and i was running on my Pirelli P-Zeros All Seasons. Just make sure you have the traction contro off in deep snow.

 

[codex57]

BTW, any specific e46 years tend to be better than others or no? For example, with the IS300 the 2003-2004 models were the best of all other years from 01-05 because it had the most features and still retained LSD, whereas the 05 models didn't.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Not particularly. The 3.0L is easily the best engine, but you're getting that already. There's a year or two of the M3 I'd avoid, but you're not looking at an M3.