Im considering buying an e46 M3 sometime soon, in the next 6-8 months. This will be my DD with no exceptions, sun/ran/sleet/snow. I was wondering how it stacks up to our weather. Specifically in heavy rain, with summer tires. Then the snow with a decent set of snow tires. And all-seasons in both?


I currently drive a 99 chrysler lhs. Its a big wide car, i bought it when i was 16 because my dad forced me to buy a big car and it was a good deal. Now i have a chance to get my dream car. I loved the e36 m3, but was def out of my price range back then[along with being to small :-/ ] Then i saw the e46 and fell in love at first site.

I'm looking to get an SMG, and put summer rims/tires, then the stockers with snow tires for the winter.

Any input would be great, thanks.

It'll be just fine. I drive my S54 M Roadster year round, and with snows, it is good to go.

With winter tires you should be fine. I had some trouble with badly worn winter tires in deep snow but otherwise did fine in Michigan and Mass winter.

Exactly what i wanted to hear! Thanks guys.

For what it's worth, my M5 does great. I know it's a heavier car, so that helps (maybe offset by 470hp though ;) ), but the limited slip diff on the M's really does a great job in the snow.

Snow tires are a MUST though. My driveway is steep with a 180 degree turn (switchback) right in the middle. In heavy snow I have to turn OFF the DSC to make it up because the DSC wants to kill the power down to nothing. I have no problems getting up though after I turn it off.

Interestingly I made it up in 2" of snow with summer tires on once this year, but on another occasion (late season snowstorm) I could barely get the thing moving on a flat section of the driveway with a couple inches of snow and summer tires. Snow tires wouldn't have been an issue.

I drove mine in snow a couple times. Once without snows and the other time with. Without snow tires it can get stuck in only an inch of snow on a flat surface. With snows I was able to drive around with no problems.

I drove mine in snow a couple times. Once without snows and the other time with. Without snow tires it can get stuck in only an inch of snow on a flat surface. With snows I was able to drive around with no problems.

+1. This is true not just in M3s but really in any RWD car w/o proper snow tires. An LSD helps things quite a bit as well. My 300zx and 318i both were horrible in the snow without proper snow tires; "all season" M+S rated tires don't count.

I got a cheap set of borbet 15's w/ winterforce rubber and the 318 was suddenly a monster truck, I drove in snow that sidelined coworkers 330xi, excursion, and 4x4 F-350.. all with their all-seasons.

I drive an S54 M coupe all year, with 16x7.5 wheels and snows in the winter. DSC is an amazing tool for keeping the car in line, combined with the diff and good dedicated snow tires. It wasn't a problem for me at all. (Although starting from a stop in deep snow can be an issue, but a folding shovel and some sand in your trunk fixes that.)

Drove my Z3 year round for 6 years with Pirelli snows on steel rims, and just drove my new M Roadster through this past winter with Dunlop M3 Winter Sports on inexpensive ASA rims. Handled great and easily outperformed some of the SUVs who were left clawing for traction on their all-seasons. Kinda causes some startled looks as you swing around them while they're struggling to extricate themselves. Only downside that I have found is the low ground clearance- once you start getting 5-6" on the ground, the best snow tires in the world aren't going to help if they can't reach down far enough to grab on.

it is good to go.


MMMMmmmmm Taco bell lol.....

On another note the M is great in the snow from what I have driven in it, also make sure to leave the DSC on.. Its also great through a drive thru, picking up ohh say some tacos.