how well do e34s handle snowy conditions?

[priceman14]

me again. it seems that i still need some assistance in getting an e34. first off, i appreciate the replies to my first thread about e34 brake lines, but now i have another problem.

my neighbor is trying to sell his awd audi, and whenever i bring up the e34, my father keeps saying the audi would be better since all rwd cars handle bad in the snow.

i posted this question on another BMW forum as well, and they insisted that an e34 would do just fine in snowy conditions as long as it had good snow tires installed (which i'm very much willing to pay for out of my own pocket!). i told this to my father but (sigh), he can be a bit stubborn sometimes...

so based on your personal experience, how well do your e34s handle snowy conditions? (not many inches (or many cm) deep of course, just the typical stuff on a main road in winter)

i appreciate all feedback!

[535ipower]

I never had a problem on mine, never been stuck on it really and i had one good tire on one side being some kind of old school perfeomance tire and a michelin mxv4 that was pretty much bald. on the front 2 mostly bald mxv4 it just took some care and some time to stop. This winter i will most likely be driving on some cheap snows that can be had for like $60 a pop new.

[MN525i]

I've driven mine in the past 2 winters here in Minnesota. I am using Winterforce tires and they really help. If the Audi has Quattro then its really hard to beat. AWD in winter is really nice to have but the E34 with winter tires does just fine in light or heavy snow........

[MaxSteel]

You have good taste fine sir!

[4500 RPM]

The Audi will be better in inclement weather. THere is no way around this, and anyone who argues otherwise is a biased moron.

That does not mean that you shouldn't consider an E34, are you are correct in wanting snow tires. With good, newer snow tires you should be pretty OK. A newer E34 with ASC+T will be great, as well as an older one with a viscous LSD.

I had worn snows on my E34 last windter in southern Indiana and it was great. New snows would have made a world of a difference. Once thing is that in deep snow you may not be going anywhere.

This stuff is no problem. E38 wheels with 225/55 Blizzaks.


This was a problem. Didn't move for a week.

[green525]

I had mine in Chicago for 5 years and only got stuck in the parking lot at work once while f'in around in like 8in. It'll slide but always maintained traction, kinda fun actually. This in all in 4 season tires, winter tires should handle 96% of what you'd realistically be driving in.

[535ipower]

I dont even think a quattro could handle that maybe an suv with some nice snows or chunky tires.. The e34 will do just fine

It will do fine specially if you get some 205/65/15...

[Sam Son]

very well

3.23LSD ASC+T and Blizzaks...my car is a snowmobile

[David325e]

Originally Posted by 4500 RPM

The Audi will be better in inclement weather. THere is no way around this, and anyone who argues otherwise is a biased moron.

This. I know a lot of girls around here that have Audis and have driven and A6 and an A4 in the snow. They were better, but not enough to make me want one over my E34. Here where I got to school we get snow every few weeks. Light snow, never more than 6-8 inches. Its either very dry snow or wet slushy crap and we get ice for a week or so after. Tons of hills around here, stock wheels with good BFGoodrich all season tires on them. Never had a problem with the snow, did some spinning and wiggling with the ice but still got through.

I'd recommend.

[jbondbmw]

I am going to be getting Bridgestone Blizzarks WS60's in a couple weeks from Tire Rack for the first winter with my E34. Glad to see other people use them and like them.

[russiankid]

I have all-season tires and I didn't have any problems.

[priceman14]

thank you all very much for your quick replies!

[Chinman]

I had Blizzaks on mine when I bought it Nov 2007. Got Uniroyal all-seasons the next June and it still did fine last winter. Did a 200 mile trip north to the relatives for christmas. Snow covered roads and lots of hills. Still OK. Drive sensibly and you will be fine with an E34 with snows. Drive like the Stigg on coke and you'll be in the ditch no matter what you drive.

[GarrettSR5]

My 240k mile 535i/5 had no name all seasons and I never had an issue and I went out driving in the worst storms for the fun of it Hanging it completely around cul-de-sacs FTW.

[tonyroc14]

i drove my car in 6 inches of snow on bald tires in the front and only had chains on in the rear. the car does fine in the snow. I am very curious to see how it handles this year with my new tires.

[garethashenden]

I had winterforce tires last winter and I think i'll get blizzaks this year. My car is tail happy, but controllable.

[kahluastud412]

OP where are you located in Michigan?

[bigsixe34]

it'll drive like a RWD car in the snow... brake slow and early, easy on the gas, start in 2nd if manual, etc...
one thing to be noted from personal experience is in snow it's particularly easy to kick the back of an e34 out if you try to. never knew why, always assumed it was because of the rather short tail end.

[tonyroc14]

Originally Posted by bigsixe34

it'll drive like a RWD car in the snow... brake slow and early, easy on the gas, start in 2nd if manual, etc...
one thing to be noted from personal experience is in snow it's particularly easy to kick the back of an e34 out if you try to. never knew why, always assumed it was because of the rather short tail end.

or maybe because it's rear wheel drive?

[kahluastud412]

I've gotten very good at driving down the street sideways.

[bigsixe34]

Originally Posted by tonyroc14

or maybe because it's rear wheel drive?

well i meant as opposed to other RWD cars sorry should have been clearer

[tonyroc14]

Originally Posted by bigsixe34

well i meant as opposed to other RWD cars sorry should have been clearer

oh, well I think it's just a RWD thing. does your car have an open diff?

[Steve92E34]

It handles fine and safe as long as you are. Its more the drivers than the car IMO. If you slam on the gas and brake short in the snow, its gonna handle like crap. But if you are a cautious driver the car handles well. That being said, an e34 is tons of fun in the snow just dicking around (on a closed course obv).

First mod to better snow driving? tighten the loose nut behind the wheel

[E34Beast]

The spun out twice with mine in the snow but that is because I have a REALLY heavy foot and I wanted to mess around with some friends. LOL. I don't recomend it though because I almost ended up in a ditch.

[bigsixe34]

Originally Posted by tonyroc14

oh, well I think it's just a RWD thing. does your car have an open diff?

you know i've never gotten under there and really made sure, or done the wheel spinning test for that matter. i have some other winter options, heated seats being one so i'd say there's a good chance. i almost wish it wasn't so i'd have an excuse to go to a shorter ratio.