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[suspenceful]

My current beater is a 328is E36 and it is absolutely horrible in the snow. I bought winter tires for it and it's still scary to drive. The car has 250k miles and is haggered, but I didn't think it'd be this bad.

In Wisconsin we get a good amount of snow and deal with crappy conditions for months. I'm not asking the people who get a few inches of snow every winter. There will be days where I drive thru 8" of snow on the way to work.

Reason I'm asking is because I'm looking to pick up a 135i this summer and will probably drive it year-round. I will obviously buy winter wheels/tires, just like I have for every other car I've owned. I'm just hoping to get some input from fellow enthusiasts who drive thru heavy winter conditions in their 1 series.

Maybe I'm better off spending a $2k on a beater with 4x4...

[jadnashuanh]

A good winter tire can generally transform a car's winter snow driving. X-drive option can help, too. What winter tire are you using?

-1 wheel sizing when going to winter tires can make a big difference, too. If you have an optional, wider tire/wheel on your vehicle, a taller sidewall, narrower/higher profile tire on a smaller wheel can also let it carve through snow verses floating over it. Bigger tires in the winter snow are not your friend!

[TheSt|G]

Sounds like you bought a bad winter tire.

The E82 is very competent in the snow provided you selected the right shoes. The current go-to options are the Michelin X-Ice XI-3 or the Nokian Hakkapeliitta. I prefer the Michelin as it is a bit more refined, but for raw snow brunt, which you would probably need in WI, the Nokians might edge them out.

Aside from that, listen to jadnashuanh, he is spot on about proper sizing and how snows function.

[Simmons-Racing]

I bought some Hankook I-cept 17" snow tires for my 135i, it is working great in the snow. I am in PA and this year we are getting hammered with snow.


Simmons

[PrematureApex]

If we're honest, it's OK in the snow. Obviously, very tire dependent, but on the same LM60s, my 135i is noticeably worse than my M3, despite the weight similarities. I guess that's down to the diff, and the lower power of the M3 off-idle and at lower RPMs.

In any case, on good tires, they get around just fine. When it's fresh and deep, they're going to struggle if it's above the front bumper. You're really not going anywhere in 10 inches of fresh snow. But on snow-packed roads, or more moderate amounts of depth, they're just fine. Added weight in the trunk helps immensely.

It simply can't compare to a big, heavy SUV on decent tires, but a RWD BMW can generally get you where you need to go without issue.

[Kgolf31]

I can relate with the amount of snow fall you get. (IIRC we are around 60"+ on snowfall this season).

I run Michelin Ice-Xi3 tires and they work surprisingly well. I had Blizzak LM-25s but they were absolutely garbage in deep snow.

In the end, you still need to keep momentum with the car, stopping on hills with deep snow is just asking for trouble. The open diff can only do so much, along with the snow tires.

With that being said, I've went on roads with 4"+ on unplowed snow with no issues, passed AWD cars that were stuck on highway ramps...etc. Smart driving will get you a long way

[PrematureApex]

And keep a shovel in the trunk.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

If we're honest, it's OK in the snow. Obviously, very tire dependent, but on the same LM60s, my 135i is noticeably worse than my M3, despite the weight similarities. I guess that's down to the diff, and the lower power of the M3 off-idle and at lower RPMs.

It's more due to LM60s being garbage. They rank as the only tire I removed before the wear bars and threw out. Downright dangerously junk.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

It's more due to LM60s being garbage. They rank as the only tire I removed before the wear bars and threw out. Downright dangerously junk.

The point was, I've run the same tires on both cars. The M3 is plain better in the snow. By a noticeable margin. Better tires would have brought improvements to both cars.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

The point was, I've run the same tires on both cars. The M3 is plain better in the snow. By a noticeable margin. Better tires would have brought improvements to both cars.

Yes, LSD is definitely better than an E-LSD. Both are quite good in the snow though, and frankly, ignoring snow, LSD should be near the top of the list of mods to do.

[Huecifer]

Only SUVs and 4wd cars are going anywhere in 8+ inches of snow. If it's higher than the bottom of the bumper, this car is not going anywere. Now, if you're not the first car on the road when there's been 8in, the 1-series is fine. Make sure for snow tires you get anything rated as "studless snow and ice". High Performance snow tires are a joke. Blizzaks are just OK. On the same Hankooks for 2 seasons so far, and they've been great. I've put tons of miles on them, too.

[m_thompson]

My E36 325iS was useless in the snow. My 128i with Michelin X-Ice tires is fine in the snow. It is not as good as my wife's 328xiT but goes OK. I would like to eventually trade up to a 228xi coupe, but they don't offer it with a 6MT in the US.

[IEDEI]

i drive 120+ miles a day in all weather at all times. This year it has snowed A LOT here in NYC and the rest of the east coast.

This is my first RWD car ever and i have been driving Audis for the past 10+ years with quattro...and i mounted Nokian Hakkapaliitta R2 snow tires on it and it has been fantastic. NO issues at all in even deep snow.

the 135 is one hell of a car....and no issues in snow ASSUMING you get great snow tires.

[MightyMouseTech]

Basically, it boils down to just the tires. The tires are more important than the car.

[suspenceful]

Awesome responses.

I'm pretty sure I have the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70s on my E36. I hate them. I ran Altimax Arctics on my previous cars and absolutely loved them.

Does anyone know the smallest wheel size we can fit on these cars? Trying to figure out how big of a sidewall I can run.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by suspenceful

Awesome responses.

I'm pretty sure I have the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70s on my E36. I hate them. I ran Altimax Arctics on my previous cars and absolutely loved them.

Does anyone know the smallest wheel size we can fit on these cars? Trying to figure out how big of a sidewall I can run.

17s. As far as how tall of a tire you can run, 225/45 (most popular size for sure) and 235/45 fits. You might be able to get away with a 225/50 too.

[MightyMouseTech]

The Altimax Arctic are a decent winter, a knock off of the Hakka R's, but with a cheaper rubber compound. I have the Hakka R2's and they are quite good.

The recommended size for the winter is 205/50/17. Can not go down to a 16" on a 135. Not a lot of room to go to a larger diameter tire either. I have thought of trying to fit 215/50/17's next winter for a slightly taller sidewall.

[stormzusmc]

nokian hakkapeliitta r2 ftw...will never get another winter tire...the ws70's are great until there is 2/3s left..short life.

[mano26]

I'm in Chicago and we have gotten a ton of snow this winter. I've got 225 all around Goodyear Ultra Grip 8's along with a steep driveway, and I haven't had any issues. Drove in a straight up blizzard and though it wasn't fun I made it through fine

[Etienne8217]

Got Blizzak LM60 on mine and it's doing great in the snow!! I live In Quebec City and I must say I'm real happy with my 135i!

[Boosted_N54]

i got Michelin PA3 and never been stuck in the snow