another snow question

[TEAM SLO]

So did a search and saw that many are saying with snow tires, they are able to get around just fine.

Question is, does anyone that have to commute up mountains having any issues with stop and go on a pretty decent highway incline?

My street doesn't get plowed and gets pretty ice packed and 30 miles away towards work is about a 6-7mile climb from 5500' elevation up to about 9000 or so feet elevation. On hard snowing days, the traffic tends to be stop and go, with many stranded cars that aren't equipped with the right tires.

I have an AWD Trailblazer SS (80% rear and 20% front) that I use and carpool with my other half, but soon I may be in a position to have to take the 135i. The SS has goodyear eagle gt which have been siped and does well, probably due to the weight of the SUV.

And to top it off, the long very twisty driveway to my work stays iced over for a while right where there is a tight turn going uphill.

Couple of pics of my work and driveaway.....cr*ppy pics I know....



can see my SS at the end:


And the driveway....just to get an idea:

[Simsims]

I wouldn't do it

[KingOfJericho]

If the hill is snow covered, it shouldn't be a problem but ice is a different story. The only time I had an issue getting out of my complex (long hill with speed bumps to sap momentum) was when we had a straight up ice storm. No white stuff, just frozen rain. I was able to get out but it took me a few tries. Long story short... snow is fine, ice is a problem.

[roo97ss]

stop and go is the one place you may have a problem. The weight balance is pretty good, so you can usually get going, but it's going to be far from ideal. With snows you should be ok.

[tritonx]

Hit the DTC and have fun.

Wth winter tires of course, and don't stop... It could take a while to move forward if you get stopped on an slope.

[Clovef]

The only problem I have had has been do to the debth of the snow. I would say if there is a foot or more your not going anywhere. Hills and mountains have not been an issue for me yet on my blizzaks.

[bayer]

Originally Posted by Clovef

The only problem I have had has been do to the debth of the snow. I would say if there is a foot or more your not going anywhere. Hills and mountains have not been an issue for me yet on my blizzaks.

Same here. Blizzaks rock on snow and ice.

[TEAM SLO]

good info here, thanks for all of it!!!

[aksundog]

I live in Alaska and I had a 2008 135i that I drove over one winter here. I live on the hillside in Anchorage, and on an incline that gives people all kinds of trouble when icy.

I bought a set of studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires for the car and it worked out great. Even at a stand still on ice I didn't have any trouble. Of course, I wouldn't be flooring it like in the summer, but if you know how to accelerate and decelerate in the winter then you'll have no problems.

The weight of the car and the good traction control features make it work quite well in the winter.

The one thing that will be your kryptonite in this car is the clearance. If there is a lot of snow on the road and it reaches your bumper, your car will turn into a large shovel, and you'll get stuck. I had to stay home twice that winter because of this.

This being said, I still own a 135i, although I now have a 2010 model. However, I am garaging it in the winter and driving a 4x4 F150 instead. Aside from feeling safer and experiencing a smoother ride on rough winter roads, I just felt like I was wasting miles driving the 135i when it wasn't rolling on smooth dry roads.