i am looking to buy a 2000 bmw 328ci, but a friend warns me that he has heard a lot about how bmws (and rear wheel drive cars in general) are very bad in the rain. can anyone give me their input on this? im not sure if id want to get one if it means i cant drive in the rain. thanks again

i am looking to buy a 2000 bmw 328ci, but a friend warns me that he has heard a lot about how bmws (and front wheel drive cars in general) are very bad in the rain. can anyone give me their input on this? im not sure if id want to get one if it means i cant drive in the rain. thanks again

BMWs are rear wheel drive, except for the xi's, which are all-wheel drive. Also, I just drove 45 mins in rain, ice, and slush, and DSC only kicked on twice, on the back-woods icey road near my parents' house. The rest of the way, it was as stable as if the roads were dry.

sorry, meant rear...edited

we have rear wheel drive. and if you have good tires it will run like a champ

It's all about your tires. Most fwd cars aren't very sporty so they have tires that are actually better in the rain, most RWD cars are sporty and have tires that don't do as well in the rain. If you have wide summer tires and you drive in the rain you have to be careful. Don't get on the gas abruptly, take it easy in turns, etc. But if you have all season tires you can drive more like you would normally do. Just more cautiously, of course. Leave more space in front of you, start braking sooner, take turns slower, etc.

I wouldn't say that at all. Maybe if the car didn't have DSC. I had an older rear wheel drive mustang that didn't have DSC and was horrible in the rain. My current car at been very good and the DSC works like a champ.

I wouldn't say that at all. Maybe if the car didn't have DSC. I had an older rear wheel drive mustang that didn't have DSC and was horrible in the rain. My current car at been very good and the DSC works like a champ.

:werd:

And it is mostly the driver...knowing the limits of the car in the current conditions, and how it will react, and when it will lose grip. In the rain, you have to worry about hydroplaning, slippery surfaces when it starts due to oils on the road, and slippery surfaces if it's cold. Know your conditions, and don't try to push it. Nothing bad is going to happen if it takes you a couple of minutes longer to get to your destination.

RWD is still FTW though

I agree with SilverBeam and DjMatty. It's all about the tires and the driver.

Having front-wheel or even all-wheel drive helps, but anyone can crash anything.

I agree with SilverBeam and DjMatty. It's all about the tires and the driver.

Having front-wheel or even all-wheel drive helps, but anyone can crash anything.

I can't say this is accurate due to DSC, but my two RWD cars were more stable in the rain than my FWD car.

**True Story**
When my dad first bought the car that I now have bought from him, the original Continental tires were all 15psi over. Having only 10k miles, and tires that were worn so poorly, it STILL handled well in the rain before chucking those tires. I don't think rear-wheel drive has much to do with 'poor handling in the rain' if you're experienced, safety-aware, and conscious while driving in the rain.

Gawd I loved spinning around with those tires before losing them.

over the past couple weeks i have driven a lot in the rain in mine, no problems, just leave the DSC on. It only has kicked on a couple times, never felt as if the car was gonna go sideways though. I have all-season tires on it and they work very well even in hard braking and acel.

when i took mine out in the rain i could get it sideways with the dsc on! lol it controls it quite well.. even then i didnt spin out. just have to be careful when the weather is really bad, same as u would in any other car. i feel safer in my BMW than i did in my front wheel drive fiesta.

As long as you areent crazy when driving Im sure you'll be alright

I hate the rain...... NOT, I live in oregon and its comes down to your tires and how you drive your car.

I hate the rain...... NOT, I live in oregon and its comes down to your tires and how you drive your car.

you hated the rain when your DSC was off and you almost flipped on the highway.........(not to bring back andy memories):devillook

Any car can be unsafe in the rain if you drive like an idiot. Just drive defensivly and for the road conditions you are in.

I hate taking my BMW out in the rain.










It gets dirty :cry

It's all about your tires. Most fwd cars aren't very sporty so they have tires that are actually better in the rain, most RWD cars are sporty and have tires that don't do as well in the rain. If you have wide summer tires and you drive in the rain you have to be careful. Don't get on the gas abruptly, take it easy in turns, etc. But if you have all season tires you can drive more like you would normally do. Just more cautiously, of course. Leave more space in front of you, start braking sooner, take turns slower, etc.

+1, its really all about ur tires, its worth the investment..

i never had trouble in the rain. dsc only goes on when i punch it on purpose, but besides that. no problems.

I wouldn't say that at all. Maybe if the car didn't have DSC. I had an older rear wheel drive mustang that didn't have DSC and was horrible in the rain. My current car at been very good and the DSC works like a champ.
:werd: :werd:

lol well my tires are pretty worn so my opinion isnt that reliable but my bimmer almost spinned out three times last week in the rain

then again i was going 70 on the street :P

im going to :rofl: when you crash your new car

im going to :rofl: when you crash your new car

just pushing its limits :buttrock haha

+1, its really all about ur tires, its worth the investment..
Tires are single handedly the most important things on your car. They are the only things keeping you on the ground, and you should really respect them for that and get ones that are best for your needs.

Summer tires are best in the summer, but horrible for any weather. Here in CA I don't bother, I keep my wide summer tires on all year long and I just take it easy in the rain. I'm not driving 10mph in the slow lane but my concentration goes through the roof. I do everything slower and easier, with hell of a lot more room. Simply because if I need to ask my tires to do something for me in a crunch, they won't be able to do it, I need to give them all the time I can.

If you do live in a place with weather, then an all season tire, or two sets of wheels (especially if you live with snow) is much better than cruising on your summer tires all year long. If it is the difference between crashing your car and coming home in one piece, then yes, it is totally worth the investment.
lol well my tires are pretty worn so my opinion isnt that reliable but my bimmer almost spinned out three times last week in the rain

then again i was going 70 on the street :P

Alright folks, this newbie here just turned 17, has bald tires, and is "pushing it to the limit" in the rain. Who wants to start a pool on when he will crash his car?

I'll put money down on Feb. 15th.

FYI, the past tense of spin is spun. not spinned.

Alright folks, this newbie here just turned 17, has bald tires, and is "pushing it to the limit" in the rain. Who wants to start a pool on when he will crash his car?

I'll put money down on Feb. 15th.

FYI, the past tense of spin is spun. not spinned.

Lol grammar police. I'll put money on Jan. 12th BTW.

Tires are single handedly the most important things on your car. They are the only things keeping you on the ground, and you should really respect them for that and get ones that are best for your needs.

Summer tires are best in the summer, but horrible for any weather. Here in CA I don't bother, I keep my wide summer tires on all year long and I just take it easy in the rain. I'm not driving 10mph in the slow lane but my concentration goes through the roof. I do everything slower and easier, with hell of a lot more room. Simply because if I need to ask my tires to do something for me in a crunch, they won't be able to do it, I need to give them all the time I can.

If you do live in a place with weather, then an all season tire, or two sets of wheels (especially if you live with snow) is much better than cruising on your summer tires all year long. If it is the difference between crashing your car and coming home in one piece, then yes, it is totally worth the investment.



Alright folks, this newbie here just turned 17, has bald tires, and is "pushing it to the limit" in the rain. Who wants to start a pool on when he will crash his car?

I'll put money down on Feb. 15th.

FYI, the past tense of spin is spun. not spinned.

Top part, well said +1

Bottom part. Ill go for Jan. 28th.

i still am running the original summers the car came with and now a 110 000KM or 63 000m they are at the wear bars and it still handles like a dream in the rain.. i just dont drive like a retard

I don't really know what a "summer" tire is. I do know that my high performance tires work just as good in the rain as all season tires do, probably better.

I think some high performance tires are just sucky in the rain. If you live in a part of the world that gets rain more than once or twice a year, I wouldn't suggest buying a performance tire that has marginal rain capabilities. You can't plan the weather.

Wet roads, especially the first good rains in a longish period of time, are going to be very slick. A high level of caution is always required. Any of these cars, including my wimpy 323, can easily turn the rears over in the rain with a touch too much gas. But ASC/DSC and a slight lift off the gas will work wonders for keeping you straight.

I am thinking Jan 1st at 1am after the new years eve party.

Tires are single handedly the most important things on your car. They are the only things keeping you on the ground, and you should really respect them for that and get ones that are best for your needs.

Summer tires are best in the summer, but horrible for any weather. Here in CA I don't bother, I keep my wide summer tires on all year long and I just take it easy in the rain. I'm not driving 10mph in the slow lane but my concentration goes through the roof. I do everything slower and easier, with hell of a lot more room. Simply because if I need to ask my tires to do something for me in a crunch, they won't be able to do it, I need to give them all the time I can.

If you do live in a place with weather, then an all season tire, or two sets of wheels (especially if you live with snow) is much better than cruising on your summer tires all year long. If it is the difference between crashing your car and coming home in one piece, then yes, it is totally worth the investment.


Alright folks, this newbie here just turned 17, has bald tires, and is "pushing it to the limit" in the rain. Who wants to start a pool on when he will crash his car?

I'll put money down on Feb. 15th.

FYI, the past tense of spin is spun. not spinned.

Correcting grammar on this forum is like arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.










Put me down for February 14th.

I don't really know what a "summer" tire is. I do know that my high performance tires work just as good in the rain as all season tires do, probably better.

I think some high performance tires are just sucky in the rain. If you live in a part of the world that gets rain more than once or twice a year, I wouldn't suggest buying a performance tire that has marginal rain capabilities. You can't plan the weather.

Wet roads, especially the first good rains in a longish period of time, are going to be very slick. A high level of caution is always required. Any of these cars, including my wimpy 323, can easily turn the rears over in the rain with a touch too much gas. But ASC/DSC and a slight lift off the gas will work wonders for keeping you straight.

I am thinking Jan 1st at 1am after the new years eve party.

It's based on the tire's speed rating.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

I don't really know what a "summer" tire is. I do know that my high performance tires work just as good in the rain as all season tires do, probably better.

I think some high performance tires are just sucky in the rain. If you live in a part of the world that gets rain more than once or twice a year, I wouldn't suggest buying a performance tire that has marginal rain capabilities. You can't plan the weather.

Wet roads, especially the first good rains in a longish period of time, are going to be very slick. A high level of caution is always required. Any of these cars, including my wimpy 323, can easily turn the rears over in the rain with a touch too much gas. But ASC/DSC and a slight lift off the gas will work wonders for keeping you straight.

I am thinking Jan 1st at 1am after the new years eve party.

I think its the tread on tires that effects the tires performance in rain. I have ultra-performance tires right now. And the tread I have it like a V shape. It forces all water away from the center and out the tire......

Correcting grammar on this forum is like arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

:rofl :rofl:

It's based on the tire's speed rating.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

What about construction material as well? I've always considered a tire with softer rubber a 'summer tire' since they're normally found in low-profile, and higher speed rated, tires.

I absolutely love my Potenzas (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE960AS+Pole+Position) in the rain.

What about construction material as well? I've always considered a tire with softer rubber a 'summer tire' since they're normally found in low-profile, and higher speed rated, tires.

I think tire composition affects the speed rating of the tire.

Good point matty.

Also good point monkey with the V-shaped channels comment.

What about construction material as well? I've always considered a tire with softer rubber a 'summer tire' since they're normally found in low-profile, and higher speed rated, tires.

I absolutely love my Potenzas (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE960AS+Pole+Position) in the rain.

I think tire composition affects the speed rating of the tire.

The thing is, you don't need Z rated tires when your not tracking a car. When we got my sister's Scion tC, the OEM tires were Z rated. After 12k miles we relized that in any weather besides sun the tires suck. And threw them off her car. Btw. Their still sitting in my garage waiting to find a buyer localy.

My car has H rated tires on, and no problems yet

Only thing I noticed is that my brakes would 'flood' (for lack of a better term) and would have terrible breaking...

Mind you I was on the highway in a MASSIVE rain strom going 140km/h; but it was still an uneasy feeling.

i wont drive my car in the rain right now because my tires are bald (i am replacing when i get home in 4 days). but when they had tread, it was just a matter of going easier on the gas and the bmw was as competent as my awd merc.

The thing is, you don't need Z rated tires when your not tracking a car. When we got my sister's Scion tC, the OEM tires were Z rated. After 12k miles we relized that in any weather besides sun the tires suck. And threw them off her car. Btw. Their still sitting in my garage waiting to find a buyer localy.

My car has H rated tires on, and no problems yet

speed rating shouldn't affect wet traction. its a function of tread design more than composition. perhaps there is confusion in that high speed rated tires are usually not designed for wet traction.

you also made a good point with the Vs. the michelin pilot sports work great in the rain, as i imagine the goodyears and similar tires would.

We threw potenzas on my sister's car and its a far better tire. Same tread design also.....All i know is that the car couldn't make it up to the top of our street in decent rain...It would just spin, and then get grip. And we will get going evantually.......
Here is what I'm talking about the V tread, in case no one gets my understanding

my tires ftw: http://www.hankooktireusa.com/product/tire_detail.asp?pid=7

The more channels a tire has the better it is in the rain. This gets water out from under the tire. Water under the tire is what causes you to hydroplane.

that is why this:

http://www.michelinman.com/images/pic/tires/full/pilot-xgt-z4.jpg

is better than this:

http://adaptivestrategies.com/yokohamaavs.jpg

in the rain

The thing is, you don't need Z rated tires when your not tracking a car. When we got my sister's Scion tC, the OEM tires were Z rated. After 12k miles we relized that in any weather besides sun the tires suck. And threw them off her car. Btw. Their still sitting in my garage waiting to find a buyer localy.

My car has H rated tires on, and no problems yet

Must depend on the tires. My Falken Azenis ST115s were Z-rated, and were great in the rain. Just couldn't handle unmarked 3-inch bumps at 60 mph. :(

The more channels a tire has the better it is in the rain. This gets water out from under the tire. Water under the tire is what causes you to hydroplane.

that is why this:

is better than this:

in the rain

Volume/displacement......one way tires are like speakers, haha.

i have kuhmo ecsta's on my 330ci, and DSC keeps it stable as hell. DSC on is another story, but i never turn DSC off anymore, especially not in adverse weather.

Must depend on the tires. My Falken Azenis ST115s were Z-rated, and were great in the rain. Just couldn't handle unmarked 3-inch bumps at 60 mph. :(

Yea, otherwise the tires were fine, but the ride was EXTREMELY rough

DSC on is another story, but i never turn DSC off anymore, especially not in adverse weather.

+1

DSC keeps me from ruining my car. i wouldnt even consider turning it off on the street.

i have kuhmo ecsta's on my 330ci, and DSC keeps it stable as hell. DSC on is another story, but i never turn DSC off anymore, especially not in adverse weather.

+1

DSC keeps me from ruining my car. i wouldnt even consider turning it off on the street.

Stang has a good story about turn DSC off in rain.....

Stang has a good story about turn DSC off in rain.....
i have a good one about my dsc turning itself off today in the rain :( coming out of a parking lot in 2nd, it wasn't even raining, was barely wet on the road, and my car decides it wants to do a huge drift, and i seriously wasn't trying to :( thats why not i constantly make sure dsc doesn't kick off when i back out of a space or turn my wheel all the way locked left or right

Stang has a good story about turn DSC off in rain.....

my friend has a great story about turning DSC off before an exit ramp. it ends in a salvage yard. and he actually was a good driver.

come on fellas, i wont crash it.


i may be a newbie, but hey, wernt we all at some point? i didnt join this forum for fighting, just to share my love for the same cars as you guys, bmws :]


im thinking of getting that snazzy bimmerforums.com sticker, love the font and know just where to put it.

stickers are as ghey as turning off DSC in the rain :shifty

stickers are as ghey as turning off DSC in the rain :shifty


lol i like stickers :alright

but yeah i tested turning off dsc in the rain. it wasnt fun, haha

stickers are as ghey as turning off DSC in the rain :shifty

+1

Im getting a Rome SDS See Through Sticker on my back window. $2.95 :alright

Im an intense snowboarder. Take it or leave it...........:devillook

get a set of winter tires and u should be fine....

i put my bimmer in the ditch a couple of wks ago.

in the summer, i do notice a bit of hydroplaning with my michy PS tires, but only when there's deep water on the road, or it's raining heavily.

i'm buying a truck for the winter though. It's not worth the wear and tear on the bimmer in the winter, and the added risk of crashing, and the cost of fixing it will be far far more than an old dodge pickup.

+1

Im getting a Rome SDS See Through Sticker on my back window. $2.95 :alright

Im an intense snowboarder. Take it or leave it...........:devillook
EXTREME!!

lol i like stickers :alright

but yeah i tested turning off dsc in the rain. it wasnt fun, haha

turning off the DSC in the rain/snow is definitely fun!!!! if you're in the mood for spirited driving

i honestly think my bmw is better in the rain/snow than any of my previous cars, and all of my parents cars...all FWD too

turning off the DSC in the rain/snow is definitely fun!!!! if you're in the mood for spirited driving

i honestly think my bmw is better in the rain/snow than any of my previous cars, and all of my parents cars...all FWD too

My mom has a X3, dad E90 328xi, oldest sister (21) X3, and me E46 325xi............They all handle like a beast in rain/snow :alright

My twin sister(17), Scion tC. My other sister (19) Mitusbishi Outlander. I can own them in snow. Well maybe now the Outlander SUV. But the Scion I OWN! :buttrock

turning off the DSC in the rain/snow is definitely fun!!!! if you're in the mood for spirited driving

i honestly think my bmw is better in the rain/snow than any of my previous cars, and all of my parents cars...all FWD too

psh!! all i wanted to do was get home as fast as i could from soccer haha

My mom has a X3, dad E90 328xi, oldest sister (21) X3, and me E46 325xi............They all handle like a beast in rain/snow :alright

My twin sister(17), Scion tC. My other sister (19) Mitusbishi Outlander. I can own them in snow. Well maybe now the Outlander SUV. But the Scion I OWN! :buttrock

why did they get screwed out of a bmw?

psh!! all i wanted to do was get home as fast as i could from soccer haha

all the same, respect your car and realize it has limitations just like everything else. then it will be all good.

why did they get screwed out of a bmw?

My twin can't drive manual. I win........

My other sister, didn't want an X3. She liked the Mituisbishi Outlander. It was her money, so who cares? :D

My twin can't drive manual. I win........

My other sister, didn't want an X3. She liked the Mituisbishi Outlander. It was her money, so who cares? :D

shes free to make bad decisions if she wants to ;)

shes free to make bad decisions if she wants to ;)

Thats what I said. She was looking at a Jeep. Thank god she went to Mitusbishi.....

well, I shouldn't be talking. My next car is going to be Mitusbishi Lancer Evo X

thats not a bad ride but its going to be murdered by the new M3 (granted there is a bit of a price difference)

im holding out hope for a 135i coupe. my dad just ordered his, so maybe i can buy it from him in a couple years....

all the same, respect your car and realize it has limitations just like everything else. then it will be all good.

i feel ya man, i just wanted to know what the limit was.

its a curiosity thing ;)

135i is going to be too small (for me) The price tag doesn't fit it IMO.

The Lancer Evo is going to be $37,000 (Highest Model with BBS wheels :))

I don't care about the new M3, the price tag is wayy to big.....

But the E46 M3 will get murdered by the Lancer. From a dig, the Lancer will own. From a roll the M3 will win

i feel ya man, i just wanted to know what the limit was.

its a curiosity thing ;)

you will find your limit when you slam into a pole.......

Doesn't matter what tires are on a car or which wheels are driven (though the absolute limits will change). What matters is weight transfer. Avoid rapid weight transfer on acceleration, cornering and braking and no problem.

To learn the limits try to enter autocrosses when rain is in the forecast.

Also, if you are spinning your car on the street, quit driving like an ahole.

Doesn't matter what tires are on a car or which wheels are driven (though the absolute limits will change). What matters is weight transfer. Avoid rapid weight transfer on acceleration, cornering and braking and no problem.

To learn the limits try to enter autocrosses when rain is in the forecast.

Also, if you are spinning your car on the street, quit driving like an ahole.

Weight transfer has nothing to do with hydroplaning. There's multiple situations that cause unsafe driving in the rain.

My car is great in the rain..... Its all the idiots that feel the need to do 80+ on the freeway in a downpour that piss me off.

My car is great in the rain..... Its all the idiots that feel the need to do 80+ on the freeway in a downpour that piss me off.

Combine that with the idiots who go waaaaaaaaaay too slowly when it's not too bad, and you're got yourself a deadly combination...

Doesn't matter what tires are on a car or which wheels are driven (though the absolute limits will change). What matters is weight transfer. Avoid rapid weight transfer on acceleration, cornering and braking and no problem.

To learn the limits try to enter autocrosses when rain is in the forecast.

Also, if you are spinning your car on the street, quit driving like an ahole.

so if I put drag racing tires on my car, I will be fine in the rain? Cool..........:devillook

Weight transfer has nothing to do with hydroplaning. There's multiple situations that cause unsafe driving in the rain.

Actually, it does. Why do you think the car moves? If you hit some water and breathe the throttle, you just transferred weight at the wrong time and in the wrong way. If you do this in any kind of turn, even a gentle highway sweeper, weight is transferring, plus most people will try to steer more for at least an instant, which is also the exact wrong thing to do transferring more weight to the outside.

Hydroplaning is like the extreme training exercise that shows you your strengths and weaknesses as a driver. Choose your reaction poorly and suffer greatly.

I've done quite a bit of rain racing using 2 yr old bald Victoracers to full tread Toyo RA-1 at 100+mph. I've only spun once trying way too hard in a 90mph sweeper, bit I did have to lower the limits on the bald tires.

I was testing a car for someone last month. In qualifying, I was 7 seconds slower than the slowest car in our group. Yea, that's more than an eternity. So, I prayed for rain. It started raining in grid and starting from the back, I passed 1/2 of the field (11 cars) in 13 laps, several under yellow (no passing). I passed under braking and in the turns, where others were apprehensive.

I didn't say rain driving was easy. I just gave the best way to think about it, so people can practice and learn. It's something I get and do well, but it takes knowing what to do and practicing it until it's subconscious.

So if you're at a steady 55 mph, and the volume of the water in the treads of your tires is increasing faster than the volumn of the water exiting the treads, and you end up hydroplaning, that's due to weight transfer? :rolleyes

I agree that weight transfer is important when accelerating, braking, and cornerning, but you're either dead wrong in the regard of hydroplaning under constant velocity, or you just don't understand the situation.

Ok, I'll concede. Hydroplaning doesn't happen because of weight transfer. But, everthing that happens after that does, and that's the important part.

My point was that you can drive on bald tires, in the rain at 100mph on the highway and maintain control, if you have the skills. That really wouldn't be prudent, but it shows that if you can't drive on a public road, in the rain, at half that speed, then you just don't understand vehicle dynamics and the effects and control of weight transfer. Thus, it's not really the tire's fault or what wheels are driven, it's the driver's fault for not understanding and correctly reacting to the conditions.

It'd be like a sled, that'd be just plain idiotic...

And both driver and the tires are a factor. Better tires allow you to maintain control in more extreme situations. It determines whether you slip at 30 mph or 50 mph. But it's up to the driver to make sure the tires don't see those extreme situations.

all the same, respect your car and realize it has limitations just like everything else. then it will be all good.

Ok, I'll concede. Hydroplaning doesn't happen because of weight transfer. But, everthing that happens after that does, and that's the important part.

My point was that you can drive on bald tires, in the rain at 100mph on the highway and maintain control, if you have the skills. That really wouldn't be prudent, but it shows that if you can't drive on a public road, in the rain, at half that speed, then you just don't understand vehicle dynamics and the effects and control of weight transfer. Thus, it's not really the tire's fault or what wheels are driven, it's the driver's fault for not understanding and correctly reacting to the conditions.

guess i dont, but hey, thats why im on this forum, to learn about it from the more experienced bmw drivers, like you guys, :alright

Lol grammar police. I'll put money on Jan. 12th BTW.
Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!
http://i18.tinypic.com/6y31pc6.jpg

Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!
http://i18.tinypic.com/6y31pc6.jpg

http://www.sonataspeed.com/djmatty/mcgrammar-1.gif






















:devillook

http://www.sonataspeed.com/djmatty/zmimekampfnh5.gif

http://www.sonataspeed.com/djmatty/mcgrammar-1.gif






















:devillook




:rofl :rofl:

If you almost spun out three times then you found and well exceeded the limit of the car. The fact that you tried another two times on public streets.... I'm changing my guess to Feb 1st.


Seriously, get some defensive driving courses, some new tires and learn how to drive your car in a safe environment.

i am looking to buy a 2000 bmw 328ci, but a friend warns me that he has heard a lot about how bmws (and rear wheel drive cars in general) are very bad in the rain. can anyone give me their input on this? im not sure if id want to get one if it means i cant drive in the rain. thanks again
hahahah good luck in the snow and rain and freezing rain. and all that other fun stuff!!! =)

Just drive slow and everything will be fine and you will be :)

The more channels a tire has the better it is in the rain. This gets water out from under the tire. Water under the tire is what causes you to hydroplane.

that is why this:

http://www.michelinman.com/images/pic/tires/full/pilot-xgt-z4.jpg

is better than this:

http://adaptivestrategies.com/yokohamaavs.jpg

in the mud and snow
There, fixed it for you:D

What I meant by saying that I don't know what summer tires are is that there is no summer tire designation that I am aware of. Some performance tires will be better in the rain than others. Worn performance tires will suck in the rain. Since performance tires are generally softer, they obviously wear more quickly.

I did have to drive down from Seattle one time with badly worn performance tires on the car. It was like ice skating. The car hydroplaned all over the place. I had to keep my speed down to 45mph at certain points where everybody was passing me at normal speeds. Nasty.

But my current performance tires, Goodyear F1 GS D3, are very good in the rain. No problems at all even in heavy rain at 70 mph.

http://www.performanceplustire.com/imagesProducts2/1702.JPG

However, these tires would suck in snow. It doesn't have the tread pattern to deal with snow like the first tire you show does. Those tires look like "All season" with the M&S (Mud and Snow) designation.
So, I guess after saying all this, I do know what is meant by "summer" tires. They are tires that are not "Snow" or "M&S" All season tires. My main point was that "summer" tires can and should be just fine in rain. If they aren't, buy different tires.:)

I drove from Cleveland to Columbus last night in the pouring rain and found that I fall into the category of having "bad tires."

They're slowly losing air and they've got performance treads so they handled pretty poorly in the rain. I felt like I was all over the place on an interstate - NOT GOOD!

I'm going to invest in some new, proper winter tires in the near future.

Driving about 10mph under speed limit helped get me home safe.

I drove from Cleveland to Columbus last night in the pouring rain and found that I fall into the category of having "bad tires."


I'll be driving to Toledo (hometown) for xmas. I'd be much obliged if you people would stop with the snow and ice until January.

I do remember driving from Col to Toledo in an ice storm. I just bought my first BMW and had bald rear tires. Left overnight in a garage, it still had 2" of ice on the front on the car the next day.