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Thread: E38 Winter Driving

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
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    United States
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    02 525i Wagon, 99 740

    E38 Winter Driving

    I live in Kansas and we got hit with freezing rain and ice last night. But, a little ice isn't going to stop my E38! I have a 60 mile commute and while a few places on the route were a little scary, my car just cruised right through. I attribute that the weight of the car, my familiarity with rear wheel drive and really good tires. In fact, I would HIGHLY recommend the Michelin Premiere. It is supposed to offer superior traction in wet and snowy conditions. Obviously dedicated winter tires would be best, but we don't get enough snow and ice to justify them usually. I have had these tires for a little more than 6 months and they are great! In rainy conditions they are very stable. The highway today was icy in spots and slushy in others. My car did great!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
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    Rutland, Vermont
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    E30 E38 E46 E85 F150 GTI
    I drive mine in the snow all the time up here in VT. I use a set of winter tires I have on a spare set of Mpar reps and it goes like a beast. SO good in the snow.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
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    United States
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    02 525i Wagon, 99 740
    Quote Originally Posted by clarkitect View Post
    I drive mine in the snow all the time up here in VT. I use a set of winter tires I have on a spare set of Mpar reps and it goes like a beast. SO good in the snow.
    When I had my 95 e38, the previous owner had a dedicated set of snow tires and wheels. It was great to swap them out. With those snow tires, it was nearly unstoppable. I wish I could have kept the wheels and snows, but the buyer knew I had them and he paid my full asking price IF I included the tires/wheels.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    Dallas,TX
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    1,759
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    '98 E38 740IL, '01 740i
    Yea, i've driven my 7 in all types of weather, now we don't have a severe winter here in Dallas, but i did drive it in some really bad weather and it's always made it through just fine
    TRPCHGE - '01 740i Black/Black 230k'ish - Power folding mirrors, Mk.IV Nav, 16:9, M-pars, Sport seats, Sport wheel, Steptronic, Euro rear fog switch, 2.50" X-Pipe, Shadowline, E53 4.6is Cluster, Lacewood interior, Chromeline, 3.15, Bilstein B6+H&R Stage II's. - SOLD 06/21

    BSKCASE - '98 740il Arctic Silver/Black 175k'ish - Face-lifted, 3" Projectors, Shadowline, 01 Tails, Hydro Trunk, Sunshades, 750il Full interior retrofit, Sport Seats, Steptronic, Face-lift Steering Column, X5 Steering wheel, E53 4.6is Cluster, Euro E66 Piano black/Chrome Grab-handles, Chromeline, Suede Pillars/Headliner, Auto wipers/Lights, Lighted Handles interior/Exterior, Dual battery retrofit.

    WIP: Custom Style 42 18x9.5" ET12, 18x10.5" ET8, 3.15 LSD Rear diff.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    (northeast) Indiana
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    15 650ix GC & 14 X5 50i
    Ditto...I have 4 Nokian Hakka 7's winter tires mounted on my e38 (and had Michelin X-Ice xi2s previously) and the 7 never had any issues driving in winter conditions. The only thing that my X5 has that is more confidence inspiring...is height...which makes it easier to "drive" over & through the snow when it gets deeper than 8". When the snow gets that high...the e38 then becomes a "plow" if you have to go through drifts.
    Last edited by Qsilver7; 02-22-2018 at 03:17 PM.
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    2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    98 740il, 00 540i,04 ZHP
    Yeah, so I drove mine in CT for 3 winters. First two were with all season tires, third was with snow tires. The snow tires definitely helped, but I wouldn't say the car was great in the snow... Trying to get going on slushy roads and stuff led to plenty of wheel spin, unless starting off really feathering the gas. Definitely not the worst, but I wouldn't call it a snow monster. These cars do not have an LSD.

    I did drive it in about 3-4 inches of snow on the highway. It did great in that. It's mainly starting off, especially with any kind of hill that was a challenge.

    I had more fun in the 540 sport in the snow.
    Last edited by racer2086; 02-23-2018 at 12:29 AM.
    '98 740il | 9/97 build | schwarz 2 | sandbeige | 5AT | 270k
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 120k
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 152k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 216k | one owner, all original

    mods: m-pars | Bilsteins & B&G springs | ValentineOne | StealthOne
    retrofits: full nav | MKIV | bluetooth TCU | BM53 w/ AUX input | video module w/ AV input & backup cam | oem sirius xm | xenon | shades | PDC | rain sensor | BMW DWS TPMS | lighted door handles | front seat heaters | heated steering wheel | euro rear fog lights | ski pass | folding mirrors


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
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    1997 740iL (5/96 build)
    I grew up in Michigan, so I know winter driving. Recently, well10 years ago, I was living back in Michigan and drove my 740iL a few winters. I had summer wheels/tires on 18" but in the winter I would use 16" basketweaves with Blizzaks. WOW! I was very impressed. The Blizzaks where the best winter tires I have ever experienced. 16 inch is also a better choice for winter since it is a narrower tire.
    1997 740iL; 5/96 build. Purchased 12/04. Off the road build project 2013 - 2021. back on road 3/2021. Became daily driver (only vehicle) 6/12/2021. Still not completed. Stay tuned as the adventure continues.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
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    740iL (E38 '01)
    Quote Originally Posted by cyclops2 View Post
    I grew up in Michigan, so I know winter driving. Recently, well10 years ago, I was living back in Michigan and drove my 740iL a few winters. I had summer wheels/tires on 18" but in the winter I would use 16" basketweaves with Blizzaks. WOW! I was very impressed. The Blizzaks where the best winter tires I have ever experienced. 16 inch is also a better choice for winter since it is a narrower tire.
    Agreed, I have this Blizzak on 16s drives really well in snow/ice/winter.

  9. #9
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    That might be the reason for the 540 being better...that had Blizzaks on the rear.

    I'm trying to sell all four of those BMW oem rims and tires. They are located in CT if any of you want them. The rear blizzaks have a lot of tread left.
    '98 740il | 9/97 build | schwarz 2 | sandbeige | 5AT | 270k
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 120k
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 152k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 216k | one owner, all original

    mods: m-pars | Bilsteins & B&G springs | ValentineOne | StealthOne
    retrofits: full nav | MKIV | bluetooth TCU | BM53 w/ AUX input | video module w/ AV input & backup cam | oem sirius xm | xenon | shades | PDC | rain sensor | BMW DWS TPMS | lighted door handles | front seat heaters | heated steering wheel | euro rear fog lights | ski pass | folding mirrors


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Lees Summit, Missouri
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    97 E38, 00 E39 M, 15 F25
    I must be the only one that has issues in the winter. Anything over 4 inches and I can’t get out of my neighborhood. Granted, I have never used anything other than all season tires, but I’ll stick to my wife’s AWD e60.

    MODS:18' Chrome M-Pars, 6000k Xenon Lowbeams and Chromelined Headlights, 01 Tails, Clear Corners and Side Markers, Boston G2 Sub and Gt22 Amp, Dinan CAI, 20% Tint, Hardwired Passport 8500i X50 Radar, Predator Chromium DDE Angel Eyes, Tri Stitched M5 Sport Steering Wheel, MKII Navigation Retrofit, Einbach Prokit Springs, Quad Brake Light Mod, Dice MB 1500, Powder Coated Valve Covers

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    The car needs four winter tires to be effective. All seasons won’t cut it. They are good in the snow but certainly won’t compete with AWD.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  12. #12
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    Yeah but winter tires or not, more than 4 inches and you're stuck. Victoriabmw27, you're not the only one. Of course my car is lowered so that doesn't help. I pulled out of the driveway once and you could see where the underbelly dragged through the snow before I got stuck.
    '98 740il | 9/97 build | schwarz 2 | sandbeige | 5AT | 270k
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 120k
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 152k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 216k | one owner, all original

    mods: m-pars | Bilsteins & B&G springs | ValentineOne | StealthOne
    retrofits: full nav | MKIV | bluetooth TCU | BM53 w/ AUX input | video module w/ AV input & backup cam | oem sirius xm | xenon | shades | PDC | rain sensor | BMW DWS TPMS | lighted door handles | front seat heaters | heated steering wheel | euro rear fog lights | ski pass | folding mirrors


  13. #13
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by racer2086 View Post
    Yeah but winter tires or not, more than 4 inches and you're stuck. Victoriabmw27, you're not the only one. Of course my car is lowered so that doesn't help. I pulled out of the driveway once and you could see where the underbelly dragged through the snow before I got stuck.
    It’s not a truck it’s a car lol! I have never had a problem with it in Vermont. I do steer clear of deep snow, or hit it at a higher rate of speed.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  14. #14
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    One must also know the limits of ASC+T/DSC...there are times that it needs to be turned off...very deep snow and/or slick conditions on an incline are two of those times. For example, if you are on an incline and there's very deep snow or ice...where engine throttle reduction keeps kicking in as well as ABS braking...and you can't overcome the incline due to the throttle reduction & braking...then turn ASC+T/DSC OFF. The spinning tires may give you enough traction to get up the incline or through the deep snow if you have appropriate tires (dedicated winters) that are designed for this type of conditions.

    Again, I live in the Great Lakes region and I drive (and have driven) RWD BMWs as well as an AWD BMW...and with dedicated winter tires...you can get through an unbelievable amount of snow/sleet/slush...and even ice if you drive correctly for the conditions and don't drive like an idiot thinking that you can do anything because you have dedicated winter tires and/or AWD.
    Last edited by Qsilver7; 02-25-2018 at 09:28 AM.
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    2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)

  15. #15
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    740iL (E38 '01)
    Quote Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
    Again, I live in the Great Lakes region and I drive (and have driven) RWD BMWs as well as an AWD BMW...and with dedicated winter tires...you can get through an unbelievable amount of snow/sleet/slush...and even ice if you drive correctly for the conditions and don't drive like an idiot thinking that you can do anything because you have dedicated winter tires and/or AWD.
    Myself coming from Europe but now living in USA, it's really strange for me how few of my American friends use "snow" tires. When I lived in Switzerland everybody was using it, somehow the"all season" garbage took over the market here. Should be called "bad in all seasons". Btw if you really want to get thorough testing on tires read the German Auto Motor und Sport annual tests, they are the only one I trust. Example: https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/...8-9255859.html

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
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    1999 M3 , 1999 328is
    My family has been driving our e38s in Erie, PA winters for 17 years now, it does pretty well. For years we used it exclusively in the winter and left the Jeep parked in the garage because it didn't have a tendency to be darty on packed snow or ice as the Jeep was. Proper snow tires as most have pointed out is where it's at. We had Good Year Ultra Gip ices on it for 14 winters then replaced them with Michelin xi2s and have also been very happy with them.

    The e39 M5 I had, got going better in the snow than the e38, likely due to the LSD, but it also started plowing quicker. 6 inches was the sustainable max depth I the M5, the e38 seems ok with 8 inches of snow without fear of being stuck.

    As with any car, the trick is keeping momentum. I sucefully drove a very low R56 Mini JCW thru 6-10 inches of snow for 45 minutes one evening this winter. I didn't get stuck but I would have if I didn't keep momentum.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    98 740il, 00 540i,04 ZHP
    Does anyone want to take these E39 snows I have in CT off my hands to make a quick profit when it gets snowy next year? I need to get rid of them.
    '98 740il | 9/97 build | schwarz 2 | sandbeige | 5AT | 270k
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 120k
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 152k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 216k | one owner, all original

    mods: m-pars | Bilsteins & B&G springs | ValentineOne | StealthOne
    retrofits: full nav | MKIV | bluetooth TCU | BM53 w/ AUX input | video module w/ AV input & backup cam | oem sirius xm | xenon | shades | PDC | rain sensor | BMW DWS TPMS | lighted door handles | front seat heaters | heated steering wheel | euro rear fog lights | ski pass | folding mirrors


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