Any e46 M3 drivers?

[Kershaw]

I daily'd my rx8 for 4 years with snow tires in the winter. It was a fucking blast in the snow. Manual transmission, LSD, and rear wheel drive are the winning equation for winter fun. I bet the e46 m3 would also be awesome.

[dnguyen1963]

That's just not true. More sophisticated ABS and traction control are worth a lot more than the minor decrease in weight and narrower tires.

And yes, traction control absolutely can be *very* useful, especially when you are maneuvering in areas with tight clearances. The key is that it's easy to turn on and off (unlike many cars), so you can have the best of both worlds.

Well, not quite...How many Corvette or Camaro do you see in the winter? They have very sophisticated ABS and traction control, but are basically worthless in snow. Whereas, a basic econobox with skinny tires can go anywhere in snow. I don't care how sophisticated a system is, physics still controls the situation. If you have no traction from the big fat tires spinning on the snow then you won't go anywhere.

[kchase731]

Does your E30 have a limited slip diff? If it does and both cars have snow tires the E30 will be better in the snow, mostly because its a bit lighter and the tires will be narrower which is better for snow then the wider tire of the E46 M3.

That said an E46 M3 with snows will be great in the snow. I have zero problems with my E38 and snows and that car doesnt have an LSD.

No. My e30 does not have the LSD. It's definitely on the list of things to do. I thought it had it when I bought it but it definitely doesn't.

The e46 is also more comfortable and I think is probably better for rust.

[nrubenstein]

Does your E30 have a limited slip diff? If it does and both cars have snow tires the E30 will be better in the snow, mostly because its a bit lighter and the tires will be narrower which is better for snow then the wider tire of the E46 M3.

That said an E46 M3 with snows will be great in the snow. I have zero problems with my E38 and snows and that car doesnt have an LSD.

That's just not true. More sophisticated ABS and traction control are worth a lot more than the minor decrease in weight and narrower tires.

And yes, traction control absolutely can be *very* useful, especially when you are maneuvering in areas with tight clearances. The key is that it's easy to turn on and off (unlike many cars), so you can have the best of both worlds.

[Staszek]

Haha I drove my e38 in the snow once and the long wheel base made it so much fun. You can hang the ass end out so far and still feel like you are in control. It's like drifting a limo

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Its fun! Its quiet and feels like you are just floating nicely in the snow when you hang it out.

[jhaurimn]

Car will do just fine with snow tires.

[bumada]

Does your E30 have a limited slip diff? If it does and both cars have snow tires the E30 will be better in the snow, mostly because its a bit lighter and the tires will be narrower which is better for snow then the wider tire of the E46 M3.

That said an E46 M3 with snows will be great in the snow. I have zero problems with my E38 and snows and that car doesnt have an LSD.

Haha I drove my e38 in the snow once and the long wheel base made it so much fun. You can hang the ass end out so far and still feel like you are in control. It's like drifting a limo

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[Staszek]

Does your E30 have a limited slip diff? If it does and both cars have snow tires the E30 will be better in the snow, mostly because its a bit lighter and the tires will be narrower which is better for snow then the wider tire of the E46 M3.

That said an E46 M3 with snows will be great in the snow. I have zero problems with my E38 and snows and that car doesnt have an LSD.

[squidrope]

I had a 2011 M3 that was great in the snow. I had a dedicated set of wheels and snow tires. Handling suffered when the road was dry, and it was funny feeling the snow tires "sway" under heavy acceleration. Good winter (not all season)tires on anything and it'll be fine in the snow.

[nrubenstein]

The E46 is marginally better in the snow than an E30. More importantly, it's dramatically more resistant to rust.

[dnguyen1963]

My E30 has been through so many winters...with snow tires and stick shift, I can drive it anywhere. The only time that I would not drive my E30 is when the snow is more than 5" on the ground.

[MR E30 325is]

For me, it's not so much myself or the car I am driving. It's other drivers. I just don't trust them..

If you must be out there with the unwashed masses, drive something you don't care what happens to it.

Bingo.

This is why I drive an old Toyota Tundra, that was a very abused work truck most of its life, during the winter. I have capable, larger than stock, tires and 4WD. But too many people (college kids primarily, who travel to Flag from PHX and SoCal who have never even seen snow before) in my town have no experience and cars that are not snow ready.

It would still suck, as I love the truck, but it wouldn't ruin my winter if someone slid into it.

Check on Youtube. Someone actually did a comparison test of an E46 M3 with an AWD Audi (I think). The M3 had snow tires, while the AWD did not. The results were heavily in the favor of the RWD racecar. Interesting stuff.

[djjerme]

For me, it's not so much myself or the car I am driving. It's other drivers. I just don't trust them..

If you must be out there with the unwashed masses, drive something you don't care what happens to it.

[Shock(/\)ave]

I've driven E30s and E36s as winter cars in some of the worst winter conditions imaginable, and there is no better testament to the importance of fresh modern snow tires than their impact on those cars. The few times I was caught in an unexpected snowfall - even a very light one which caused ice to form on the road surface - the drive home was frightening, and it took serious concentration and skill just to get the cars home without an accident. With the snow tires on all four corners, though, the cars were transformed into incredibly capable, predictable and fun winter drivers.

[dude8383]

just keep it clean during the winter!