bmws and snow

[biker32]

YA... the 318ti's SUCK in the snow i live in wisconsin and it snows way to much. last night we got MAYBE and inch and in my 5-8 mile drive home from work i almost diched it 4 times and i was being careful because its all ready been in the ditch twice!!!

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by biker32

YA... the 318ti's SUCK in the snow i live in wisconsin and it snows way to much. last night we got MAYBE and inch and in my 5-8 mile drive home from work i almost diched it 4 times and i was being careful because its all ready been in the ditch twice!!!

Invest in some snow tires, they make a HUGE difference.

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by DustenT

Invest in some snow tires, they make a HUGE difference.

+1, the narrower the better. I drove cross country on Dunlop SP8000's, it sucked. Way too wide and way too slick. I was all over the road and I almost died like a hundred times. I wished I had a set of snows back then, but I guess it really wouldn't have matter'd on ice. However, on the slushy stuff, snow tires are definately the only way to go. Investing in a set will keep the Ti outta ditches.

[marko]

spend like 300-500 bucks on a 82 golf/jetta or something similar... LOL nothing beats front wheel drive on snow!

well, maybe an all-wheel drive... HAHAHAHA!!!

Originally Posted by biker32

YA... the 318ti's SUCK in the snow i live in wisconsin and it snows way to much. last night we got MAYBE and inch and in my 5-8 mile drive home from work i almost diched it 4 times and i was being careful because its all ready been in the ditch twice!!!

[biker32]

Originally Posted by DustenT

Invest in some snow tires, they make a HUGE difference.

i did, well when i bought it it came with snow tires so i didnt have to use the 245's(width) and they are mounted on the stock rims but the tread isnt that aggressive... but they work better than my summer tires (potenzas). for sure next year im investing in some skinnier tires..... anyone know of any cheap motorcycle rims/tire i can buy for it..... lol just kidding

while im posting i was wondering if anyone had seen... heard of... knows about the acshinitzer (guess on the name) carbon fiber air intake and if its worth the money

[roadrash]

Originally Posted by biker32

acshinitzer (guess on the name) carbon fiber air intake and if its worth the money

I'm feeling like a broken record... LOL
Your question will get more exposure if you start a new, appropriately titled thread. But, you might want to do a little searching here first, as that question may have already been asked.

JMJ

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by biker32

while im posting i was wondering if anyone had seen... heard of... knows about the acshinitzer (guess on the name) carbon fiber air intake and if its worth the money

No, it's not worth it. A CAI on a 318ti will cause it to lose power, not gain power.

**be prepared for lots of responses now about how cool it sounds, so it doesn't matter if you lose power, these people are just mad that they paid hundreds of dollars for something that does nothing**

[CirrusSR22]

My car does quite well in the snow. Significantly better than my old Escort with generic all-seasons in fact. Which snow tires do you have?

[tastade]

The 318ti handles very well in the snow, it is all about the tires. Some 15" narrow snow tires do the trick nicely. I can accelerate better than any FWD car I have driven with or without snow tires, of course the LSD helps, all the FWDs I have driven have had open differentials.

I prefer RWD with good tires to FWD in the snow. I know exactly what the car will do if I give more or less gas. I am not a fan of understeer: it is safe, but lacks the control. This is honestly my favorite vehicle I have driven in the snow. Two sandbags in the back are perfect for traction and weight balance. The car handles neutral. But remember: I do have to have an LSD on the RWD car and snow tires, and I do have to put up with squishy ride (on the plus side the rough street feels a lot better).

My opinion is thus: You don't race on the track with junky all seasons (hopefully), so don't drive in the snow without suitable snow or good all season tires. The cost of one fender bender will far exceed a set of snow tires. If you get light snow, go with an all season suitable for snow, and if you get medium snow go with a sporty snow tire like Nokian RSI or Dunlop Wintersport M3s, and if you get heavy snow go with a full blown agressive snow tire like a Nokian Hakka or Bridgestone Blizzaks.

Remember that the time you have on snow tires, you aren't wearing out your other tires, so the actual cost isn't that much higher, and you can shop around and buy a set of steel wheels relatively cheap (especially if you buy used). This all depends on how much snow you get, if you want an extra set of tires/wheels laying arounds the rest of the year, etc. If you live an area with snow, you at least need good all seasons like the goodyear triple tread if you don't have snow tires.

[momorugger]

We get snow storms ALL the time up at 7200 ft., and My 318ti is often capable of going where big old suvs can't. I run 225 yokohama Avid V4S all season tires, and I can't praise them enough. Also, ASC does work.

[marko]

YES! +1 here!
Do not get it.. it is useless, & the car sounds like ass afterwards (not mention possibility of hydrolock - from what I hear, not a good thing )... anyway, everything form that company (ACShnitzer or whatever) is absurdly overpriced...
the most, in my opinion, you should do is a K&N filter element - but that'll probably not do anything for unless you get a larger exhaust!
cheers..

Originally Posted by DustenT

No, it's not worth it. A CAI on a 318ti will cause it to lose power, not gain power.

**be prepared for lots of responses now about how cool it sounds, so it doesn't matter if you lose power, these people are just mad that they paid hundreds of dollars for something that does nothing**

[biker32]

Originally Posted by tastade

I prefer RWD with good tires to FWD in the snow. I know exactly what the car will do if I give more or less gas. I am not a fan of understeer: it is safe, but lacks the control.
--- Two sandbags in the back are perfect for traction and weight balance. The car handles neutral.
----Bridgestone? Blizzaks.

my other car is a toyota corolla and its on rails in the snow, but i live with my brother and i let him drive it now that i bought the ti.... so if he isnt going anywhere ill take the go cart(corolla) other wise i take the ti..... i dont have sand bags but i do have my aftermarket rims in the back.... and yes i would love the bridgeston blizzaks but i need new summer tires so i can afford both right now..

[96cali]

This is a great time of year to pick up used snows on rims for cheap and garage them till next year. I lived in Cleveland and my 205/65/15 blizzaks (purchased used on steelies for $200 with 2 seasons of light wear) got me around fine. True, it does not surpass FWD or AWD but also was very predictable. Next time I will opt for 185's or 195's and go with hakkapelitas maybe. The blizzaks were ok for the $ but noisy and soft- can't wait to put summer shoes back on.

[tastade]

If you want a good deal on summer tires, TireRack still has some of these bridgstones on sale for $80 each (in 225/50R16). They aren't the best summer tire, but are probably the best for the price:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12549

I also found my snow tires used for around $200 mounted on steel wheels with only 1 or 2 seasons use (probably 75% tread left).

If you have to drive in the snow with your car, can only have 1 set of tires, than you really have to buy all seasons. There are some tires that are a good comprimise, like the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position